When  the  nine  o'clock  bell  rang  we  were  up  by  the
"  Northern  Retreat,"  and  I  was  so  glad  when  we  got
near  home  so  we  could  get  out.  Grandfather  and
Grandmother  asked  us  if  we  had  a  nice  time,  but
we  got  to  bed  as  quick  as  we  could.  The  next  day
Grandfather  went  into  Mr.  Richardson's  store  and
told  him  he  was  glad  he  did  not  let  Frankie  go  on
the  sleigh-ride,  and  Mr.  Richardson  said  he  did  let
her  go  and  we  went  too.  We  knew  how  it  was
when  we  got  home  from  school,  because  they  acted
so  sober,  and,  after  a  while,  Grandmother  talked
with  us  about  it.  We  told  her  we  were  sorry  and
we  did  not  have  a  bit  good  time  and  would  never
do  it  again.  When  she  prayed  with  us  the  next
morning,  as  she  always  does  before  we  go  to  school,
she  said,  "  Prepare  us,  Lord,  for  what  thou  art  pre-
paring for  us,"  and  it  seemed  as  though  she  was
discouraged,  but  she  said  she  forgave  us.  I  know
one  thing,  we  will  never  run  away  to  any  more
sleigh-rides.
February  20. — Mr.  Worden,  Mrs.  Henry  Chese-
bro's  father,  was  buried  to-day,  and  Aunt  Ann  let


56  VILLAGE  LIFE  IN  AMERICA        [1856

Allie  stay  with  us  while  she  went  to  the  funeral.  I
am  going  to  Fannie  Gaylord's  party  to-morrow
night.
I  went  to  school  this  afternoon  and  kept  the  rules,
so  to-night  I  had  the  satisfaction  of  saying  "  per-
fect "  when  called  upon,  and  if  I  did  not  like  to
keep  the  rules,  it  is  some  pleasure  to  say  that.
