s a queer young man," resumed the Dominie. "Nobody seemed to
care anything about him. And when he left the settlement it was thought
he had got into the city and became a worthless. But here he is, made a
man of himself and has not forgot his old friends."

This was good news to Angeline and Hanz. Still the name of Price Bottom,
the grave-digger's son, revived old if not pleasant memories. The odd
old captain had not forgotten his first love. The flame of that love
always burns, but never dies out. Disappointment may cross it, may for a
time veil its charm, but never can quench it. How strange, Angeline
thought, that her darling boy, the consolation of her heart, should have
met this once discarded lover, and under such circumstances. And that he
should be such a friend and protector to her boy only showed how good a
heart he had.

The good news gave an additional charm to the evening's entertainment.
One after another shook Hanz and Angeline by the hand, and congratulated
them on the happy prospect. Indeed, they seemed the happiest people on
earth. Mugs of fresh cider were filled and drank to the health of
Captain Price Bottom, of the good ship Pacific--the poor fellow who had
only a grave-digger for a father, and left the settlement friendless and
without a shilling.

And now these sturdy settlers again took to their pipes, and having
smoked in silence for at least five minutes, embraced and kissed their
hosts, and parted for the night.

CHAPTER XV.

MRS. CHAPMAN AND THE UPPER CIRCLES.

Let us go back, gentle reader, into the village of Nyack on that same
damp, stormy night, and into the house of Bigelow Chapman, the reformer.
A very different picture was presented there. The reformer was up
stairs, studying plans for the future. His spacious parlor was furnished
with a profusion of furniture, of the most approved style, and such as
was not common in the country at that day. They have got a new piano,
too; and a nice young gentleman in reduced circumstances, a foreigner,
is expected up from New York to give their daughter lessons on it. This
little affair of the piano and the foreigner has set the whole town to
talking, and people are putting on grave faces, and inquiring how they
can afford it. But it seems they do afford it, and also to have the best
of carpets on their parlor floor. And they have shown a taste for art in
several engravings hung on the walls.

The Chapmans expected company from the c