152 THE HIVE OF THE BEE-HUNTER. 
The excitement was immense. The supper was pass- 
ed over with a contempt, rivalling that which is cast 
upon an excellent farce played preparatory to a dull 
tragedy, in which the star is to appear. The furniture 
was all critically examined; but nothing could be dis- 
covered answering Cash’s description. An enormously 
thick-leafed table, with a “spread” upon it, attracted 
little attention, ¢2mber being so very cheap in a new 
country, and so every body expected soon to see the 
piano “ brought in.” 
Mercer, of course, was the hero of the evening; 
he talked much and loudly. Cash, as well as several 
young ladies, went into hysterics at his wit. Mercer, 
as the evening wore away, grew exceedingly conceited, 
even for him; and he graciously asserted that the com- 
pany present reminded him of his two visits to the “ Ca- 
pitol,” and other associations, equally exclusive and pe- 
euliar. 
The evening wore on apace, and still—no piano. That 
hope deferred which maketh the heart sick, was felt by 
some elderly ladies, and by a few younger ones; and 
Mercer was solicited to ask Miss Patience Doolittle, to 
favor the company with the presence of the piano. 
“ Certainly,” said Mercer, and with the grace of a 
city dandy he called upon the lady to gratify all present 
with a little music, prefacing his request with the remark, 
that if she was fatigued, “ his friend Cash would give the 
machine a turn.” 
