remain here a few days till I can look about me a little."

"I would with the greatest pleasure in the world," was the reply,
"but there's another family very anxious to take the house, and they
wish to come in immediately. Therefore I shall be obliged to ask you
to move out to-morrow. In fact that is the very thing I came here
this evening to speak about, as I thought you might not wish to pay
the increased rent."

"We are much obliged to you," said the cooper, with a tinge of
bitterness unusual to him. "If we are to be turned out of doors, it
is pleasant to have a few hours' notice of it."

"Turned out of doors, my good friend! What disagreeable expressions
you employ! It is merely a matter of business. I have an article to
dispose of. There are two bidders; yourself and another person. The
latter is willing to pay a larger sum. Of course I give him the
preference. Don't you see how it is?"

"I believe I do," replied the cooper. "Of course, it's a regular
proceeding; but you must excuse me if I think of it in another
light, when I reflect that to-morrow at this time my family and
myself may be without a shelter."

"My dear sir, positively you are looking on the dark side of things.
It is actually sinful to distrust Providence as you seem to do.
You're a little disappointed, that's all. Just take to-night to
sleep on it, and I've no doubt you'll think better of it and of me.
But positively I have stayed longer than I intended. Good night, my
friends. I'll look in upon you in the morning. And by the by, as it