CHAPTER XVI 



WOODBINE ENTERTAINS 



VT 7OODBINE had become a civic entity. It had 

 been developed from a rustic wilderness; first, 

 into a rather formless colony; then into a neat and 

 charming little township. Men unaccustomed to axe 

 and spade had cut down hundreds of acres of trees and 

 laid model roads, which were well-graded and drained, 

 the best roads the county had. 



The next necessary step was the building of a com- 

 modious country hotel. The only place where visitors 

 could be entertained up to that time was our house. 

 There was not a day that one or more visitors would 

 not come on business to see my husband, often without 

 any previous notice. I would, about 11.30, receive 

 word from my husband that one, two or even four 

 guests were coming to dinner. "Please be ready for 

 us," would be his message. It was a heavy task in 

 every way, and though after the hotel was built we 

 often entertained at our table, then it was by our own 

 choice. 



Very distinguished visitors were thus received. For 

 the little colony among the New Jersey pines had 



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