THE TRAVELER AND THE POLE-CAT. 247 



such portions of Kentucky, to a shed made of the blades 

 or long leaves that hang in graceful curves from the 

 stalk, and which, when plucked and dried, are used in- 

 stead of hay, as food for horses and cattle. The husk 

 consists of several thick leaves rather longer than the 

 corn-ear itself, and which secure it from the weather. 

 It is quite a labor to detach these leaves from the ear, 

 when thousands of bushels of the corn are gathered and 

 heaped together. For this purpose, however, and in the 

 western country more especially, several neighboring 

 families join alternately at each other's plantations, and 

 assist in clearing away the husks, thus preparing the 

 maize for the market or for domestic use. 



The good people whom we met with at this hospitable 

 house, were on the point of going to the barn, (the 

 farmer here being in rather good condition,) to work 

 until towards the middle of the night. When we had 

 stood the few stares to which strangers must accustom 

 themselves, no matter where, even in a drawing-room, 

 we approached the fire. What a shock for the whole 

 party ! The scent of the Pole-cat, that had been almost 

 stifled on my companion's vestments by the cold of the 

 evening air, now recovered its primitive strength. The 

 cloak was put out of the house, but its owner could not 

 be well used in the same way. The company, however, 

 took to their heels, and there only remained a single 

 black servant, who waited on us until suppdr was 

 served. 



I felt vexed at myself, as I saw the traveler displeased. 

 But he had so much good breeding as to treat this im- 

 portant affair with great forbearance, and merely said 



