being fitted for the larger, though the younger
might find some consolation in the fact that he
would have plenty of room in which to grow!
At all events, good Deacon Hale's kindly letters
give us a very friendly feeling toward him, revealing
as they do his love for his boys. The letters also
suggest indirectly the happy home-coming of these
college boys, riding thither on horseback over many
miles, buoyed up by high spirits, college news, and
the prospect of vacation.

In their home, as time went by, they found the
two new members of the family, their stepmother's
daughters, Nathan to find in Alice Adams, the
youngest, some of the happiest inspirations of his
manly young life. It is pleasant to linger a moment
and try to realize the pride Deacon Hale must
have felt in his boys, and their delight in being
once more home with him and with all the family
circle. We can fancy them as they sat around that
generous board--none the less generous, we are sure,
because of the home-coming of the "Yale boys."

Deacon Hale was a man of remarkable energy--
"a driver," in other words. As a rule, in the busiest
season of the year he would finish his meal before
the family were half through theirs, rise, return
thanks, and be off to the field, leaving the others
to resume their seats around the table. Alice

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