EPISODES 



283 



three weeks ; " for," said he, " it was our wedding-day, 

 and father gave us a good house-warming, and you might 

 have fared better; but, however, if you can eat bacon 

 and eggs, and a broiled chicken, you shall have that. 

 I have no whiskey in the house, but father has some 

 capital cider, and I '11 go over and bring a keg of it." 

 I asked how far off his father lived. " Only three miles, 

 sir, and I '11 be back before Eliza has cooked your sup- 

 per." Off he went accordingly, and the next moment the 

 galloping of his horse was heard. The rain fell in tor- 

 rents, and now I also became struck with the kindness of 

 our host. 



To all appearance the united ages of the pair under 

 whose roof we had found shelter did not exceed two 

 score. Their means seemed barely sufficient to render 

 them comfortable, but the generosity of their young 

 hearts had no limits. The cabin was new. The logs 

 of which it was formed were all of the tulip-tree, and 

 were nicely pared. Every part was beautifully clean. 

 Even the coarse slabs of wood that formed the floor 

 looked as if newly washed and dried. Sundry gowns 

 and petticoats of substantial homespun hung from the 

 logs that formed one of the sides of the cabin, while 

 the other was covered with articles of male attire. A 

 large spinning-wheel, with rolls of wool and cotton, oc- 

 cupied one corner. In another was a small cupboard, 

 containing the little stock of new dishes, cups, plates, 

 and tin pans. The table was small also, but quite new, 

 and as bright as polished walnut could be. The only 

 bed that I saw was of domestic manufacture, and the 

 counterpane proved how expert the young wife was at 

 spinning and weaving. A fine rifle ornamented the 

 chimney-piece. The fireplace was of such dimensions 

 that it looked as if it had been purposely constructed 

 for holding the numerous progeny expected to result 

 from the happy union. 



