d you,
and am hurt and disturbed by your well-meant suggestions. I am not a
wise woman, in your sense of the word, and cannot take your admonitions
to heart. Let us talk of something else."

And she changed the subject, as well as her whole manner and expression
of countenance, with a promptness that surprised me; showing the
existence of will and self-control that in a right direction would have
given her large power for good.

It was the first and last time I ventured to speak with her so freely.
Always afterwards, when we met, there was an impression of uneasiness
on her part, as if she had an unpleasant remembrance, or feared that I
would venture upon some disagreeable theme.

CHAPTER XVIII.

Steadily, under the busy hands of hundreds of workmen, the new buildings
arose, stretching their far lengths along, and towering up, story after
story. Steam, in addition to water power, was contemplated here also,
for the looms and spindles to be driven were nearly twice the number
contained in the other mill.

Disappointments and vexatious delays nearly always attend large building
operations, and the present case formed no exception. The time within
which everything was to be completed, and the mill to go into operation,
was one year. Two years elapsed before the first bale of goods came
through its ample doors, ready for market.

Of course there was a large expenditure of money in S----, and this was
a great thing for our town. Property rose in value, houses were built,
and the whole community felt that a new era had dawned--an era of growth
and prosperity. Among other signs of advancement, was the establishment
of a new Bank. The "Clinton Bank" it was called. The charter had been
obtained through the influence of Judge Bigelow, who had several warm
personal friends in the Legislature. There was not a great deal of loose
money in S----to flow easily into bank stocks; but for all that the
shares were soon taken, and all the provisions of the charter complied
with. Judge Bigelow subscribed freely; so did Squire Floyd and Mr.
Dewey. Other townsmen, to the number of twenty or thirty, put down their
names for a few shares. It was from New York, however, that the largest
subscriptions came; and it was New York shareholders, voting by proxy,
who elected the Board of Directors, and determined the choice of
officers. Judge Bigelow was elected President, and a Mr. Joshua King,
from New York, Cashier. The tellers and bo