14000 MILES 



reached West Fairlee just at dinner time, and while 

 Jerry was at the blacksmith's we strolled about the 

 village with friends. The afternoon drive to Norwich on 

 the Connecticut — a pretty, old university town — was 

 very pleasant. We were directed to the hotel, but when 

 a lady answered the door bell, we thought we must have 

 made a mistake, and were asking hospitality at a private 

 mansion. There was no sign ; the yard was full of 

 flowers, and the big square parlor, with the fire crackling 

 under the high old mantel, the fan-decorated music-room 

 through the portieres — everything, in fact, betokened a 

 home. And such in truth it was, only, having been a 

 hotel, transients were still accommodated there, as there 

 was no other place in Norwich. When the very gallant 

 colored boy ushered us into a room the size of the parlor 

 below, with all the homey touches, we felt really like 

 company. The delicious supper, well served from the 

 daintiest of dishes, confirmed the company feeling. 



We started out in the densest of fogs from our luxu- 

 rious quarters in Norwich, but soon left it behind, and 

 the drive along White River was very lovely. We had 

 to dine at a "putting-up" place, with another fellow- 

 traveler, in a kitchen alive with flies ; and at Bridgewater, 

 where we went for the night, we were received by a 

 woman with mop and pail in hand — a little "come down" 

 after our fine appointments. We must not forget our 

 pleasant hour in Woodstock that afternoon. We drove 

 through its pretty streets, called on friends, and took a 

 look at the fair grounds, for everybody was "going to the 

 fair." 



Fine appointments are not essential to comfort, and 



149 



