Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1867, by J. T. TROWBRIDGE, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts. NEIGHBORS' WIVES. I. THE ADOPTED SISTER. T was three years since old Abel Dane laid down the compass and the chisel on his work-bench in the old shop, and himself on his bed in the new house which he had so lately built for his comfort, and which he never left again until he was carried out by his neighbors. "To be sure!" moralized one of the pall-bearers, on that occasion, a pale, meagre, bald little man, John Apjohn by name, and a cooper by trade,-"it's with houses as 'tis with every other airthly blessin'. We're no sooner ready to enjoy 'em than either they go or we go. Here's neighbor Dane, been so busy building houses for other people all his life that he never had time till now to build one for himself; and to think on 't !” said the cooper, with mournful, wondering eyes, "there the house is, and here he is a-goin' to his final home, and leavin' everything to his heir! To be sure, to be sure !" and he shook his head solemnly at the decrees of fate. (7) |