Country life -- Fiction; Farm life -- Fiction; Outdoor life -- Fiction; Rural conditions -- Fiction
"It looks pleasant as ever in Cloverdale," said Matthew. "Home is
home, after all. The old hills looked so good, I wanted to kiss 'em,
when they hove in sight. Nothing appears altered; the old church looks
good as ever; and the old elm-tree seemed to know me, and welcome me
back with its waving limbs; and the house here--every room is just as I
left it; and the water from the well tastes as cold and sweet; and I
cannot see but you all look about as you did, when I went away. I knew
father would hold his age; but I expected mother would look a little
older. Julia, if she's altered at all, her hair is more of a chestnut,
her cheeks are rounder, and a little more ruddy, and she is straighter
than she was. But none of you can tell how I feel to see you all once
more, and sit down under this old roof again. Home is home, after all!"
"You'll hate to go back again, won't you, Matthew?" asked Major Fabens.
"I shall grieve to leave you and mother again, but I am not quite ready
to have you go on with me this time. I want to do more to my farm; I
want to build an addition to my log-house for you, and prepare a little
more to make you comfortable. Yes, I shall always feel sad to leave
Cloverdale, though I like the Waldron Settlement quite as well."
"Think you can get a living, and build up a manhood there then, do you?"
"A good living, I am sure I can get; I hope I may build up a manhood.
I like the country well; it is a rich soil, and very easy to cultivate.
My cornfield is as mellow as a bed of ashes this year; I had a fine
field of red-chaff wheat, with full heads, a plump berry, and straw as
bright as a dollar; and I wish I could have brought down some of my big
pumpkins and melons."
"I think I shall like it pretty well, if I live to get there; I love a
new country; it gives you more space to breathe in. The air is
sweeter, the woods are grander, the grass is greener, crops are more
perfect, neighbors are freer-hearted, and a man prospers faster there.
You have good neighbors, and I hear that you have some good times in
the settlement. Think you will like a home in the wild, wild woods,
Julia?"
"I think I shall. Cousin John lives where it is quite new, and I am
delighted to go there. I know I shall like it on the Cayuga. I will
be in my joy, setting my table for a hunting party, or a harvest feast."
"I know you will all like it, and when we all get there, if Heaven
smiles, my joy will be complete."
They retired, and attempted to sleep; the morning came, and Matthew
rose and completed the circuit of his calls and visits. A week flew
away, and his visiting was done, and Julia Wilmer was Julia Fabens, and
with the blessings of fond parents, they departed for their far forest
home.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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