Aunt Jane's Nieces at Work

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In the spring Kenneth returned with his guardian to Elmhurst, where he

devoted himself largely to painting from the sketches he had made

abroad, while Mr. Watson sat beside him comfortably smoking his pipe and

reading his favorite authors. The elder man was contented enough in his

condition, but the boy grew restless and impatient, and longed for

social intercourse. His nature was moody and he had a tendency to brood

if left much to himself.

Uncle John had carried his nieces to a farm at Millville, in the

Adirondack region, for the summer, so that Kenneth heard but seldom from

his friends.

Such was the disposition of the characters when our story opens.

Kenneth Forbes, although I have called him a boy, had attained his

majority on the fifteenth day of May. At this time Mr. Watson rendered

his accounts and turned over the estate to its owner. He would then have

retired, but Kenneth would not let him go. Twenty-one years of age

sounds mature, but the owner of Elmhurst was as boyish and inexperienced

as it is possible for one twenty-one years old to be. He had grown

accustomed, moreover, to depend much on Mr. Watson's legal acumen in the

management of his affairs, and would have been embarrassed and

bewildered if obliged to shoulder the burden all at once.

The lawyer, who had always had an affection for the young man, perceived

this clearly; so an arrangement was made that he should remain with his

young friend indefinitely and strive to teach him such elements of

business as would enable him in time to attend to his extensive

interests understandingly and wisely.

The country around Elmhurst is thickly settled with agriculturists, for

the farms are rich and productive in that part of the state. But it is

not a flat country, and Nature has given it many pretty woodland glades

and rocky glens to add to its charm.

From the hill country at the west came several rushing streams which

tumbled along rocky paths to the river nine miles below Elmhurst, and

there are scenes along these routes that might well delight the eye of

an artist.

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