250 TENANTS OF AN OLD FARM. 



sots 'em up as an example for usn's — barrin' always 

 them pesky little red house-auts w'icli I don't believe 

 Scripter ever meant to include. Doesn't the Bible say 

 ' Go to the ant, thou sluggard — consider her ways and 

 be wise ' ? Now you don't think the Bible'd speak 

 tiiat-a-way 'v witches, do you, Dan ? Of course not, 



" I ahccu/s hecrd there 'z good luck in ants. My 

 granmam told me — she was an Englishwoman — that it 

 was writ in the Royal Dream Book that to dream of 

 ants or bees showed that you'd live in a great town or 

 city, or in a large fiimily, and that you will be indus- 

 trious, happy, well married, and have a large family." 



"Well, Sary Ann," answered Dan, rising from the 

 cricket and placing himself in a safe position by the 

 back kitchen door, " ole Dan, mel)be, doan' git t'ings 

 alius perpendickler ; but I reckon he'd git it "bout right 

 this time ef he'd 'low that you didn't never dream uv 

 ants!" With this retort he disappeared, wafting back 

 to the disconcerted cook — whose matrimonial venture 

 had been notoriously unfortunate — a triumphant and 

 aggravating " He, he ! ho !" 



" Thee must excuse Daniel," said Aunt Hannah, who 

 felt bound to apologize for the old man's familiar ways. 

 "Thee knows he has been employed in the family for 

 half a century and more, and like most old servants, he 

 is disposed to take many liberties. Indeed, he feels a 

 sort of proprietorship in the old place." 



"Don't trouble yourself, Aunt Hannah," responded 

 the Mistress. " Mr. Mayfield is anxious to call out all 

 the curious notions aud superstitious which prevail about 



