HOW NOT TO GO. 133 



good-by, remarked that perhaps I had somewhat 

 overrated my wife's sporting accomplishments ; but 

 he was, I fear, too firmly fixed to be shaken. 



At Jackson Brook, a little village of probably two 

 hundred inhabitants, we dined. 



The tavern was neat and comfortable. While 

 we were waiting for our dinner to be prepared, we 

 had ample time to rest, and make comments. 



I will describe the furnishing of the sitting-room, 

 to the best of our united remembrances, as it may 

 bring to the recollection of the reader some room 

 similarly adorned where in bygone days he or she 

 may have passed a pleasant hour. 



A rag-carpet ; two round braided mats ; a melo- 

 deon, on which lay several well-worn sacred tune- 

 books ; a high-backed, wooden-seated rocking- 

 chair ; several straight-backed wooden chairs 

 painted in black, with yellow ornamentation ; a 

 Franklin fireplace filled with a tasteful collection 

 of green branches ; a high mantle-piece adorned 

 with two plaster-of- Paris parrots, in green and yel- 

 low plumage, a vase of lilacs, and one of syringas ; 

 above them, looking down upon the peaceful scene, 

 a highly colored print of Grant and his Generals ; 

 on the table, covered with a red embossed cloth, 

 a Bible, hymn-book, one or two secular volumes, 

 Robert B. Thomas's Almanac, and a copy of " The 

 New York Ledger." 



