CXlednesday, F^bt^uat^y 14th, 1894. 39 



neighbourhood, where there was not much passing. 

 He did not see many strangers in the course of the 

 year, and the arrival of a visitor gave cause for much 

 speculation as to who and what the guest might be. 



There had passed on the previous day a traveller, 

 who had very much puzzled him. 



"A kurious sort of a gennelman come by here 

 yesterday," he said ; " a kurious body, sure enough. 

 Can't tell whaat a waas. Some perfession, so I 

 s'pose. Never shaves top lip." 



A moustache had not been seen or heard of in 

 that primitive place. The Crimean War was respon- 

 sible for the introduction of what the old keeper 

 thought an '* outlandish thing." 



My father never forgot the kind and hearty recep- 

 tion which he met with on this occasion, and prized 

 very highly the goodwill of these honest men ; for it 

 is not to be gained by everyone. And he felt sure 

 that their regard for him was sincere. In truth, he 

 was worthy of their regard and admiration. Kind, 

 genial, handsome, he had distinguished himself in 

 the charge of Yorke Scarlett's heavy brigade. 



These men had seen honaurable mention of him 

 in the papers, and were truly proud of their land- 

 lord. I can imagine his arrival at the little inn, in 

 front of which his loyal and loving tenants stand, 

 hat in hand, and with beaming countenances, to 

 welcome him back safe and sound from the wars. 



