to pay a mournin' visit. Wife thought 't was
a bosom-pin, or somethin' like that, but turned out she wanted the
skirt of a dress; 'most anything would do, she said."

"I thought she looked extra well startin' off," said Isaac, with an
indulgent smile. "The Lord provides very handsome for such, I do
declare! She ain't had no visible means o' support these ten or
fifteen years back, but she don't freeze up in winter no more than we
do."

"Nor dry up in summer," interrupted his friend; "I never did see such
an able hand to talk."

"She's good company, and she's obliging an' useful when the women folks
have their extra work progressin'," continued Isaac Brown kindly. "'T
ain't much for a well-off neighborhood like this to support that old
chirpin' cricket. My mother used to say she kind of helped the work
along by 'livenin' of it. Here she comes now; must have taken the last
train, after she had supper with 'Lizy Jane. You stay still; we 're
goin' to hear all about it."

The small, thin figure of Mrs. Price had to be hailed twice before she
could be stopped.

"I wish you a good evenin', neighbors," she said. "I have been to the
house of mournin'."

"Find 'Liza Jane in, after the circus?" asked Isaac Brown, with equal
seriousness. "Excellent show, was n't it, for so late in the season?"

"Oh, beautiful; it was beautiful, I declare," answered the pleased
spectator readily. "Why, I did n't see you, nor Mis' Brown. Yes; I
felt it best to refresh my mind an' wear a cheerful countenance. When
I see 'Liza Jane I was able to divert her mind consid'able. She was
glad I went. I told her I 'd made an effort, knowin' 'twas so she had
to lose the a'ternoon. 'Bijah left property, if he did die away from
home on a foreign shore."

"You don't mean that 'Bijah Topliff 's left anything!" exclaimed John
York with interest, while Isaac Brown put both hands deep into his
pockets, and leaned back in a still more satisfactory position against
the gatepost.

"He enjoyed poor health," answered Mrs. Price, after a moment of
deliberation, as if she must take time to think. "'Bijah never was one
that scattereth, nor yet increaseth. 'Liza Jane's got some memories o'
the past that's a good deal better than others; but he died somewheres
out in Connecticut, or so she heard, and he's left a very val'able coon
dog,--one he set a great deal by. 'Liza Jane said, last time he was to
home, he priced that dog at fifty dollars. 'T