46 ADVENTURES IN THE WILDERNESS, 



hour. Not SO witli Mother Johnson. Bless her 

 soul, how her fat, good-natured face glowed with 

 delight as she saw us empty those dishes ! How 

 her countenance shone and sides shook with laugh- 

 ter as she passed the smoking, russet-colored cakes 

 from her griddle to our only half-emptied plates. 

 For some time it was a close race, and victory 

 trembled in the balance ; but at last John and I 

 surrendered, and, dropping our knives and forks, and 

 shoving back our chairs, we cried, in the language 

 of another on the eve of a direr conflict, " Hold, 

 enough ! " and the good old lady, still happy and 

 radiant, laid down her ladle and retired from her 

 benevolent labor to her slumbers. Never go by 

 Mother Johnson's without tasting her pancakes, 

 and, when you leave, leave with her an extra dollar. 

 " Unde Pcdmers'' is at Long Lake, and com- 

 mands a view of lake and mountain scenery 

 rarely surpassed. There are many houses open to 

 guests in the wilderness more ostentatious ; but for 

 downright solid comfort commend me to " Uncle 

 Palmer's." The table is well supplied ; the cuisine 

 is excellent ; the beds neat and clean ; the location 

 central. Mr. Palmer is one of the most honest, 

 genial, and accommodating men whom I have 

 ever met. His wife is active, pleasant, and moth- 

 erly. Both are full of the spirit of true kindness, 

 and sympathetic in all their words and acts. You 

 may be a total stranger, but no sooner are you 



