ed in a short time, it will be all
forest again."

"At present it is all raspberries, and very good ones too, are they not,
Mr. Emmerson?" said Emma.

"Yes, miss, most excellent," replied he; "but you are aware that,
whenever you cut down trees here, and do not hoe the ground to sow it,
raspberry bushes grow up immediately."

"Indeed, I was not aware of it."

"Such is the case, nevertheless. After the raspberries, the seedling
hardwood trees spring up, and, as Mr. Campbell says, they soon grow into
a forest again."

"I do not think that you would have much trouble in getting emigrants to
come here, Mr. Campbell, but the difficulty will be in persuading them
to remain. Their object in coming out to this country is to obtain land
of their own, and become independent. Many of them have not the means to
go on, and, as a temporary resource, are compelled to act as laborers;
but the moment that they get sufficient to purchase for themselves, they
will leave you."

"That is very natural; but I have been thinking of obtaining a larger
grant than I have now, and I wish very much that I could make an
arrangement with some emigrants. The Colonel says that I might do so by
supplying them with seed, and taking corn in return as rent."

"That would not be a permanent arrangement," replied Mr. Emmerson. "How
much land, do you propose applying for?"

"Six hundred acres."

"Well, sir, I think it would meet the views of both parties if you were
to offer terms like the following--that is, divide the land into lots of
one hundred acres each, and allow them to cultivate for you the fifty
acres that adjoin your own land, with the right of purchasing the other
fifty as their own property, as soon as they can. You will then obtain
three hundred acres of the most valuable land, in addition to your
present farm, and have fixed neighbors around you, even after they are
enabled to purchase the other fifty."

"I think that a very good arrangement, Mr. Emmerson, and I would gladly
consent to it."

"Well, sir, I shall have plenty of opportunities this summer of making
the proposal to the emigrants, and if I find any parties who seem likely
to prove advantageous as neighbors, I will let you know."

"And with such expectations I will apply for the additional grant," said
Mr. Campbell, "for to have neighbors in this solitude, I would almost
make them a present of the land."

"I suspect that in a few years you will have neighbors enough,