I saw the river, the islands, the clouds, to the greatest advantage.
On board was an old man, an Illinois farmer, whom I found a most agreeable companion.

He had just been with his son, and eleven other young men, on an exploring expedition to the shores of Lake Superior.
He was the only old man of the party, but he had enjoyed most of any the journey.

He had been the counsellor and playmate, too, of the young ones.

He was one of those parents--why so rare ?--who understand and live a new life in that of their children, instead of wasting time and young happiness in trying to make them conform to an object and standard of their own.

The character and history of each child may be a new and poetic experience to the parent, if he will let it.
Our farmer was domestic, judicious, solid; the son, inventive, enterprising, superficial, full of follies, full of resources, always liable to failure, sure to rise above it.