AUNT RACHEL'S MISHAPS The week slipped away, and still no tidings of Ida.

The house seemed lonely without her.

Not until then did they understand how largely she had entered into their life and thoughts.

But worse even than the sense of loss was the uncertainty as to her fate.
"It is time that we took some steps about finding Ida," the cooper said.
"I would like to go to Philadelphia myself, to make inquiries about her, but I am just now engaged upon a job which I cannot very well leave, and so I have concluded to send Jack." "When shall I start ?" exclaimed Jack.
"To-morrow morning," answered his father.
"What good do you think it will do," interposed Rachel, "to send a mere boy like Jack to Philadelphia ?" "A mere boy!" repeated her nephew, indignantly.
"A boy hardly sixteen years old," continued Rachel.

"Why, he'll need somebody to take care of him.