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of the shortcut, as the neighbours called it across the country, and
greatly prepared it, to going by the public road, where
she feared meeting market-people or travellers.--But the
shortcut, proved the longest way round for ---? poor wander-
er, who bewilder'd by her own thoughts, paid little attention
to the path she took. At first the way was familiar,
she enter'd an extensive field of corn [or maize], which grew high
above her head, and so close that she could scarcely make
her way through the long and rustling leaves, which as she pushed
aside before, closed as immediately after her, thus com-
pletely concealing her, had the family attempted to seek her here.
When she had waded through the plough'd ground, and
reach'd the further side of the field, she was again so
exhausted as to be obliged to rest.--She climb'd the fence
which divided this field from an adjoining wood, and
seeking out a spot clear from brambles and bushes, she laid
herself down at the foot of a large chestnut-tree with her bundle
under her head.--When she look'd up and saw the branches of
this venerable tree which had been one of her
favorite play-places, from her earliest infancy; saw them
loaded with nuts, those autumnal riches, which ever sense
she could remember, it had been her delight (and privilege)
to gather--What scenes of infantine pleasure, rushed on her
mind.--She turn'd to the hollow trunk, and its twisted roots,
and thought of the long and happy hours, she and her William had
passed within this cavity. [We used to call it our wee-
house," said she, "and many's the time when we were caught
in the rain, while at work in the field, we have ran here
with our dinner and sat snugly in the hollow, while the storm
wind would roar among its branches, and the rain pour down
in torrents, and we used to be as dry and comfortable as if
we were at home--Dear William, used to call it, the
Squirrels nest, and say we were two little squirrels--and how
he used to leap from branch to branch, and climb to
the very top, to gather me the best nuts, and then if cold