TOM draw's visit TO PINE nROOK. 213 



But, alas! the hopes of men — Troy meadows were too 

 dry — Persipany too wet I — Loise's had been beat already, 

 and not one snipe did we even see or hear, nor one head 

 of game did we bag ; the morning's sport, however, had put 

 us in such merry mood that we regarded not the evening's 

 disappointment, and we sat down in great glee to supper. 

 What we devoured, or what we drank, it boots not to 

 record; but it was late at night before the horses were 

 ordered, and we prepared for a start. 



After the horses were announced as ready, somewhat to 

 my surprise, Harry took old Tom aside, and was engaged 

 for some time in deep conversation; and when they had 

 got through with it, Harry shook him very warmly by 

 the hand, saying — 



"Well, Tom, I am sincerely obliged to you; and it is 

 not the first time either." 



"Well, well, boy," responded Tom, "I guess it 'taint the 

 first time as you've said so, though I don't know right 

 well what for neither. Any how, I hope 't won't be the 

 last time as I'll fix you as you wants to be. But come, 

 it's gettin' late, and I've got to drive Hard's horse over 

 to Paterson to-night." 



"Oh, that will not be much," said Harry. "It is but 

 nine miles, and we are twenty from New York." 



"Any how, we must take a partin' drink and I stands 

 treat. I showed Beers Hard how to make that egg nog. 

 Timothy — Timothy, you darned critter, bring in that ere 

 egg nog." 



This was soon done, and Tom, replenishing all the glas- 

 ses to the brim, said very solemnly, "this iu a toast, boys, 

 7}oiv a raal bumper." 



Harry grinned conscious. I stood, waiting, wondering. 



^'Here's luck !" said Tom, "luck to Harry Archer, a land- 

 holder in our own old Orange!" 



The toast was quaffed in an instant; and, as I drew my 

 breath, I said — 



"Well, Harry, I congratulate you, truly. So you have 

 bought the Jem Burt Place?" 



"Thanks to old Tom, dog cheap!" replied Archer; "and 

 I have only to say, farther, that early in the Autumn, I 

 hope to introduce you, and all my old friends, to the in- 

 terior of the new box." 



