Since her
husband's failure to mount to Heaven on the day fixed for the Second
Advent she had had entire control of the family finances. Her
investments, many of which had been suggested by her deceased son, J.
Jones Putnam, had been very profitable.
She owned the house in which she lived, which was the largest, best
finished, and best furnished one in the town of Eastborough. It occupied
a commanding position on the top of a hill, and from its upper windows
could be obtained a fine view of the surrounding country. The soil at
Mason's Corner was particularly fertile, and this fact had led to the
rapid growth of the village, which was three miles from the business
centre of Eastborough, and only a mile from the similar part of the
adjoining town of Montrose.
Back of the Putnam homestead were the best barns, carriage houses, sheds
and other outbuildings to be found in the town, but for years they had
been destitute of horses, cattle, and other domestic animals.
Mr. Putnam had disliked dogs because they killed sheep, and Mrs. Putnam
detested cats. For years no chanticleer had awakened echoes during the
morning hours, and no hens or chickens wandered over the neglected farm.
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