Rudder Grange.

RUDDER GRANGE .

( Continued from page 246 . ) It Avas a proud moment . Euphemia glanced around , her eyes full of happy tears , ancl then she took my arm ancl Ave Avent clown stairs—at least we tried to go CIOAVU in that fashionbut soon found it necessary

, to go one at a time . We wandered over the whole extent of our mansion and found that our carpenter had done his work better than the Avoman Avhom Ave had engaged to scrub and clean the house . Something akin to despair must have seized upon her

, for Euphemia declared that the floors looked rather dirtier than on the occasion of her first visit , Avhen Ave rented the boat .

But that didn ' t discourage us . We ielt sure that we should get it clean in time . Early in the afternoon our furniture arrived , together Avith the other things Ave had bought , and the men who brought

them over from tbe steamboat landing had the brighest , merriest faces I ever noticed among that class of people . Euphemia said it was an excellent omen to have such cheerful felloAvs come to us on the very first day of our housekeeping .

Then we went to Avork . I put up the stove , Avhich Avas not much trouble , as there Avas a place all read y in the deck for the stove-pipe to be run through . Euphemia was somewhat surprised at the absence of a chimney , but I assured her that boats

were very seldom built with chimneys . My clear little Avife bustled about and arranged the pots and kettles on nails that I drove into the kitchen Avails . Then she made the bed in the bedroom ancl I hung up a looking-glass and a feAV little ictures

p that Ave had brought in our trunks . Before four o ' clock our house Avas in order . Then we began to be very hungry . " My dear , " said Euphemia , " Ave ought to haA'e thought to bring something to cook . "

"That is very true , " said I , "but I think perhaps we had better walk up to Ginx ' s and get our supper to-night . You see Ave are so tired and hungry . " " What 1 " cried Euphemia , " go to a hotel the very first day ? I think it Avould be

dreadful ! Why , I have been looking lorwarcl to this first meal Avith the greatest

delight . You can go up to the little store by the hotel and buy some things and I Avill cook them , ancl Ave will have our first dear little meal here all alone by ourselves , at our own table and in our OAVU house . "

bo this Avas determined upon and , after a hasty counting of the fund 1 had reserved for moving and kindred expenses , and Avhich had been sorely depleted during tho clay , I set out , and in almost an hour returned Avith my first marketing . I made a fire , using a lot of chips and

blocks the carpenter had left , and Euphemia cooked the supper , and we ate it from our little table , with two large toAvels for a table-cloth .

It Avas the most delightful meal I ever ate ! And , when Ave bad finished , Euphemia Avashed the dishes ( the thoughtful creature had put some water on the stove to heat for the purpose , Avbile Ave were at supper ) ancl then we Avent on deckor on the

, piazza , as Euphemia thought Ave had better call it , and there Ave had our smoke . I say we , for Euphemia ahvays helps me to smoke by sitting by me , ancl she seems to enjoy it as much as I do . Ancl Avhen the shades of evening began

to gather around us , 1 hauled in the gangplank ( just like a deli g htful old drawbridge , Euphemia said , although I hope for the sake of our ancestors that

draAvbridges were easier to haul in ) ancl Avent to bed . It is lucky we were tired ancl wanted to go to bed early , for we had forgotten all about lamps or candles . For the next week Ave were tAvo busy ancl happy people . I rose about half-past five

ancl made the fire , —Ave found so much AVOOCI on the shore , that I thought I should not have to add fuel to my expenses , —and Euphemia cooked the breakfast . I then Avent to a Avell belonging to a cottage near by Avhere Ave had arranged for

waterprivileges , and filled t \ vo buckets Avith delicious water , ancl carried them home for Euphemia ' s use through the clay . Then I hurried off to catch the train , for , as there Avas a station at Ginx ' s , I ceased to patronize the steamboat , the hours of

Avhich were not convenient . After a clay of Avork and pleasurable anticipation at the office , I hastened back to my home , generally laden Avith a basket of provisions and various household necessities . Milk