JASPER. I have, indeed. When the army was disbanded, I travelled on foot
to explore the uncultivated territory which I had assisted in
liberating. I purchased a piece of land near the great lakes, and with
my axe levelled the mighty oaks, cleared my meadows, burnt out the
wolves and bears, and then built that cottage there.

JENKINS. And thus became a settler and my neighbour; thanks to the drum
and fife and the white cockade, that lured you from your home.

JASPER. In a short time, Jenkins, everything flourished; my cottage was
neat, my cattle thriving, still I wanted something--it was a wife. I was
tired of a solitary life, and married Kate, the miller's daughter; you
knew her.

JENKINS. Ay, that I did; she was a pretty lass.

JASPER. She was a good wife--ever cheerful and industrious, and made me
happy: poor Kate! I was without children for several years; at length my
Christine was born, and I have endeavoured, in cultivating her mind, and
advancing her happiness, to console myself for the loss of her mother.

JENKINS. Where is Christine? where is your daughter, neighbour Jasper?

JASPER. She left the cottage early this morning with Lenox, to climb the
mountains and see the sun rise; it is time for them to return to
breakfast.

JENKINS. Who is this Mr. Lenox?

JASPER. An honest lieutenant of infantry, with a gallant spirit and a
warm heart. He was wounded at Niagara, and one stormy night, he
presented himself at our cottage door, pale and haggard. His arm had
been shattered by a ball, and he had received a flesh wound from a
bayonet: we took him in--for an old soldier never closes his door on a
wounded comrade--Christine nursed him, and he soon recovered. But I wish
they were here--it is growing late: besides, this is a busy day, friend
Jenkins.

JENKINS. Ah, how so?

JASPER. You know Jerry Mayflower, the wealthy farmer; he has offered to
marry my Christine. Girls must not remain single if they can get
husbands, and I have consented to the match, and he will be here to-day
to claim her hand.

JENKINS. But will Christine marry Jerry? She has been too well educated
for the honest farmer.

JASPER. Oh, she may make a few wry faces, as she does when swallowing
magnesia, but the dose will go down. There is some credit due to a wife
who improves the intellect of her husband; aye, and there is some pride
in it also. Girls should marry. Matrimony is like an old oak; age gives
durability to the trunk, skill t