After his death, the man of the family on whom Mrs. Wheaton most relied was his only son and namesake, Mr. Samuel A. Chapin of New York. This favorite nephew took his father's place in her heart, and for years her house was the place of his home-coming. She was wonderfully cheered by his frequent visits and his tender affection, which filled the cup of her delights. Mrs. Wheaton felt the loss of General Chapin deeply. Her dearly loved brother Judson had died in 1887, so that she was now the last of her family. And she was eighty-one years old. There was now no strong, efficient person in her own home on whom she could lean, for Mrs. Beane was growing old as well as Mrs. Wheaton. Mrs. Wheaton still attended to all her business affairs, but two years later she found her burdens pressing so heavily upon her that she invited Miss Lucy D. Tozer, a lady living in Norton, who had been a Wheaton student, to become her private secretary. This most satisfactory arrangement continued till Mrs. Wheaton's death, thirteen years later. The affection between Mrs. Wheaton and Miss Tozer was very warm, and the relation became still closer after the death of the other members of the family, Mrs. Chapin dying in 1892, a few months after Miss Tozer became one of the household, and Mrs. Beane in 1899. After Mrs. Beane's death, a sister of Miss Tozer, Mrs. Mary E. Thurston, came to assist in the increasing cares of the home. Mrs. Smith writes: "The mercy of God for which Mrs. Wheaton always gave thanksgiving was certainly shown when these two sisters were led to the doorway of this old home. No happier arrangement could be conceived. When the necessary time for adjustment had passed by, it came to this, that Miss Tozer's return was looked for as for that of a beloved daughter, that her presence meant joy and comfort, that, indeed, a love and devotion like that of a daughter was given back. To speak of the marvellous manner in which Mrs. Wheaton's former duties in business matters and her ways of conducting household affairs were taken up and carried on by this dear lady is impossible, for words cannot do it justice. Mrs. Thurston's kindly presence increased this delight and comfort. Their nieces flitted back and forth in all their youth and joyousness, adding their part to this lovely old lady's sum of happiness." In November, 1892, Mrs. Wheaton arranged her affairs in such a way that her banking business could be transacted by Miss Tozer. Though she was still able to go to Boston sometimes, such an arrangement was necessary because of her increasing infirmities, for she was ill with rheuma tism all through the following winter. Gradually, as her eyesight began to grow dim, she gave up writing her own letters, dictating to Miss Tozer instead, but to the last, every letter was a model of clear, concise statement of the matter in hand. Happily there was never any trace of failure. mentally in Mrs. Wheaton. She always conducted family prayers in the morning, and the members of the household noticed that she often used the expression, "I thank Thee for reason," speaking with great earnestness. Though she had now definitely recognized the presence of old age, and had reorganized her life accordingly, it must not be supposed that she had given up work. Her last years were as fruitful as any in her life. The routine was substantially the same from day to day. Breakfast was at seven in the summer, and at half-past seven in the winter. Then she went to her desk, and attended to business and her correspondence. The business of her life was chiefly the spending of her large income so that it might do the most good. Inside her cash-book she kept for many years a newspaper clipping, viz.: "I expect to pass this way but ONCE; if, therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to my fellow human beings, let me |