The ride was very agreeable: boundless views of rolling prairie, that looked like English park scenery; scattered groves, pretty farm houses, thriving villages, afforded a constant succession of agreeable objects. Far to the west was seen a threatening cloud, at length descending in torrents of rain to the westward, while the sudden, violent wind that swept across the track of the cars was succeeded by dashes of rain. A curious optical illusion was produced by the sun shining from behind a dark cloud, and throwing lines of light across the prairie, producing the effect of a fort, and of long rows of white buildings. The sun was setting behind clouds of crimson and gold when the train arrived at Joliet, and stopped twenty minutes for refreshments. Joliet, named in honor of the citizen of Quebec who first trod the soil of Iowa, is a handsome town, ornamented with numerous spires. Here are fine quarries of the beautiful cream-colored stone used so much in Chicago, and transported thither by a canal running over the low wet prairies parallel with the railroad. While waiting till the train from Chicago should pass them, Norman had a fine view of some splendid rockets in honor of the arrival of a noted politician in the city. At the station they found their kind friend, Mr. Percy, and he drove them to his house very rapidly. Late as it was, Mrs. Percy and Miss Ray were at the door to welcome them, and, after a few words of greeting, to show them to their rooms. The next morning Norman went fishing with Charley Percy, and while he was gone his Uncle and Aunt Lester came in Mrs. Hunter’s carriage to take them for a drive. Mrs. Hunter took them to her house, where they had iced lemonade; and Mrs. Lester returned, promising to take tea and stay all night with Mr. and Mrs. Lester at her brother’s, where they were staying. This brother was a minister, and his home had an atmosphere of taste and refinement and piety. Choice books, in every room, invited perusal; illustrated works attracted the eye; a canary warbled its sweet notes, especially when the piano was touched; and the mistress of the house sang the songs her husband had written. Most pleasantly did every object harmonize with the repose of the Sabbath. The new Methodist church edifice was in the next street, and the services were held for the last time in the lecture-room, as on next Thursday the church was to be dedicated to the worship of God. At the love-feast in the afternoon there was an earnest expression of gratitude to God for the abundant mercies he had showered upon them during the past winter, and for the prosperity that had attended their efforts to erect a house to his service.