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THE PIONEERS.
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the "academy" was clearing, engagements were made between the young people, not only for their pursuits during the succeeding day, after the service, but they would probably have embraced in their arrangements half of the winter, had not the divine interrupted them, by saying—

"Gently, gently, my dear Miss Temple, or you will make my girl too dissipated. You forget that she is my housekeeper, and that my domestic affairs must remain unattended to, should Louisa accept of half the kind offers that you are so good as to make her."

"And why should they not be neglected entirely, sir?" interrupted Elizabeth. "There are but two of you; and certain I am that my father's house will not only contain you both, but will open its doors spontaneously, to receive such guests. Society is a good, not to be rejected on account of cold forms, in this wilderness, sir; and 1 have often heard my father say, that hospitality is not a virtue in a new country, the favour being conferred on the host by the guest."

"The manner in which Judge Temple exercises its rites, would confirm this opinion," said the divine; "but we must not trespass too freely.—Doubt not that you will see us often; my child particularly, during the frequent visits that I shall be compelled to make to the distant parts of the country. But to obtain an influence with such a people," he continued, glancing his eyes towards the few, who were still lingering, as curious observers of the interview, "a clergyman must not awaken envy or distrust, by dwelling under so splendid a roof as that of Judge Temple."

"You like the roof, then, Mr. Grant," cried Richard, who had been directing the extinguishment of the fires, and other little necessary duties,