BESSIE’S ISLAND. 3

come down from the hills and mountains, and
was a quarter of a mile broad. The island
lay directly in the middle. At the distance
of about a mile below were the mills—four or
five large brick buildings, filled with windows,
and six stories high. The dark smoke from
the steam engines rose high in the air, and
passed over the distant hills.

Nearer was Rose Lawn, the mansion of Mr.
Cramer. Through the trees might be seen the
front of the house, with its white piazza. After
admiring the view on the southern side of the
island, Tom and Bessie passed over to the
northern side. The banks of the Ousa were,
in some places, rocky and wild, covered with
woods to the very edge. In these places the
stream was narrower. Where it widened there
were meadows, now looking like the richest
green velvet. Tom had a natural taste for the
beautiful.

“How I wish I could draw,” said he; “I~
might make a beautiful picture for you, Bessie,
to hang up in your parlor.”

Bessie——You know there is no such word
as can’t in your dictionary.”