John Rawlins, clever and resourceful, had arranged this in his usual thorough way. For many days before he had sent out his trappers and hunters, and these brought huge supplies of game,---turkeys, ducks, geese, partridges, bears, and what ever else could be found in the Connecticut woods, beautiful to behold and pleasant for food. When finally the settlers and Indians had left, and darkness shrouded the woods, the children with their parents, John Rawlins, John Mason, and the new pastor gathered in the large living room of the new dwelling. Here they related what had happened during the last months, and they united once more in giving thanks to the good Lord who doeth all things well. They spoke also of the future. "Now, you children must return to Boston," Mrs. Bradley said, "and never leave us again; for we miss you so much. The home seems dead to us since you left." But the children demurred, very respectfully, but firmly. "We shall always return to Boston and spend a number of weeks with you during the summer," Agnes said; "but this is our home, and you must promise to visit us often." "And what will you do here?" Mr. Bradley asked. "I will be a trapper and trader," Fred said proudly, "and will serve you faithfully und John Rawlins, so that Agnes and Matthew, who are not interested in this work, may have food and clothing." "And I will be a school teacher," Agnes said, "and teach all the children that come, white or Indian, the blessed story of Jesus, besides other things. It is a noble calling, and one which deserves that many good children dedicate themselves to it with heart and soul." "And I," Matthew finally said, "will study theology under our new pastor, until I, too, may preach and teach and win souls for Jesus." There were tears in the eyes of all, even in those of the rough soldier John Mason. "If our young people are thus minded," he said, "we shall have no fear for the future of our colonies. We shall become a strong and powerful nation." "If our young people are thus minded," said old, genial John Rawlins, "we shall have a large city here in the woods some time, with plenty of happiness and peace and wealth." "If you are thus minded," Mrs. Bradley finally said, "I shall die in peace and thank God eternally for having bestowed upon me such dear children. God bless you richly in time and eternity." "And that is also my prayer," Mr. Bradley joined in, as he gathered his arms around the children and kissed them. "Well, well," John Rawlins finally said, when no one knew exactly just what to say. "All day long I thought of something which would not come into my fool head, because we were so busy and happy. I never forgot it in England, but here my poor head is so addled that I am forgetful of even the most important thing. "What is that?" they all asked. "I forgot to wish you all a merry, merry Christmas," the old servant said, as he bowed himself out of the room to go to bed. The End