CHAPTER XIII.
A NEW HOME IN RICE CORNER.
Very different this time was Mary's ride with Mr.Knight from what it had been some months before, and after brushing away a few natural tears, and sending back a few heart-sighs to the loved ones left behind, her spirits rallied, and by the time they reached the borders of Rice Corner, there was such a look of quiet happiness on her face that even Mr.Knight noticed it.
"I'll be hanged if I know what to make of it," said he.

"When you rid with me afore, I thought you was about as ugly favored a child as I ever see, and now you look full as well as they'll average.

What you been doin' ?" "Perhaps it's because I've had my teeth out," suggested Mary, and Mr.
Knight, with another scrutinizing look in her face, replied, "Wall, I guess 'tis that.

Teeth is good is their place, but when they git to achin', why, yank 'em out." So saying, he again relapsed into silence, and commenced whipping at the thistle tops and dandelions.

As they rode on, Mary fancied that the country looked pleasanter and the houses better, than in the region of the poor-house; and when a sudden turn of the road brought into view a beautiful blue sheet of water, embosomed by bright green hills, her delight knew no bounds.