saucers it was stirred until ready to eat. Mrs. Harrison put some in pie tins and later it was pulled into taffy, the younger children striving to see which could make it whitest. But the great kettle's contents were stirred for awhile and then poured into many tins to cool into cakes for home use and for sale. The contents of the large tin boiler were stirred until it was fine and ready for table use.

By the time the kettles and dishes were washed and put away it was bedtime, and according to the custom of the household the family gathered around the great open fire-place for the evening worship. When the lesson was read, they talked of its application to the existence of slavery. Mr. Harrison showed how contrary it was to the Scriptures to hold a fellow-man in slavery and how in gratitude for their liberty and in fidelity to the Book they should speak out against the wrong of the land. Then kneeling in the mingled light and shadows of the room they joined in prayer, the father leading in a voice that indicated a determination, yet a strange gentleness, in the makeup of the man. He thanked the Omnipotent God

for their home and its blessings, and besought the continuance of these blessings, upon them. He plead for the Country and for the freedom of the slave and all who were in any bondage. His prayer had in it the appeal of a prophet. It linked in the minds of the household the great truths of the Bible to daily life and National responsibilities.

It was Richard's turn that night to tend the sap, so when the worship was over he put on his heavy coat and, lighting the lantern, started for the bush. He was a manly lad, as straight as an arrow and with muscles like iron. He had just turned fourteen and held his own with his father and brothers at the work of the farm. He soon reached the woods and having filled the kettles and thrown some wood upon the fire, he put the tunnel to his lips and blew a blast. From other bushes came the answering signals, and soon three neighbors dropped in upon him. They boiled some eggs which Richard had, in the kettles, and as they ate they talked about the run of sap, the matters of interest to farmers, and discussed the concerns of politics. Richard gave in simple yet

graphic words the story of Uncle Tom's Cabin, which two of the men had not read, and this stirred them to intense denunciation of the evil.

When the men had gone, Richard stuffed the great arch full of wood, filled again the kettles with sap, and settled himself in the warmth of the fire and the protection of the shed and blanket for sleep, but his eyelids would not close. The moon above the wood was at its full. The hill on which the old arch stood was transfigured in its silvery light. The valley, covered with broad-armed trees which shut out the light, wound in and out and on into the wood like a mysterious way of life. The southwest wind seemed almost asleep and its voice sounded like a sleeper's sigh, as it winged its slow flight through the bare tree-tops. Something of the silence of the forest settled into Richard's soul. He turned his eyes skyward and wondered what the world of stars and planets is of which he knew so little. He thought again of those questions of national import that were upon every lip. At last his eyes rested upon the burning coals that lay in the mouth of the arch. Fancy led him into

the future's untried way. What would he do? Where would his lot be cast? He did not know that in such surroundings as his God trains his noblest men and that in time the door of opportunity would open wide for him.