MEADVILLE. 183 



set off. The country through which we passed might have proved fa- 

 vourable to our pursuits, had it not rained nearly the whole day. At 

 night we alighted and put up at a house belonging to our conductor''s 

 father. It was Sunday night. The good folks had not yet returned 

 from a distant meeting-house, the grandmother of our driver being the 

 only individual about the premises. We found her a cheerful dame, 

 who bestirred herself as actively as age would permit, got up a blazing 

 fire to dry our wet cloths, and put as much bread and milk on the table 

 as might have sufficed for several besides ourselves. 



Being fatigued by the jolting of the cart, we asked for a place in 

 which to rest, and were shewn into a room in which were several beds. 

 We told the good woman that I should paint her portrait next morning 

 for the sake of her children. My companion and myself were soon in 

 bed, and soon asleep, in which state we should probably have remained 

 till morning, had we not been awakened by a hght, which we found to 

 be carried by three young damsels, who having observed where we lay, 

 blew it out, and got into a bed opposite ours. As we had not spoken, it 

 is probable the girls supposed us sound asleep, and we heard them say 

 how delighted they would be to have their portraits taken, as well as 

 that of their grandmother. My heart silently met their desire, and we 

 fell asleep, without farther disturbance. In our back woods it is fre- 

 quently the case that one room suffices for all the sleepers of a family. 



Day dawned, and as we were dressing we discovered that we were 

 alone in the apartment, the good country girls having dressed in silence 

 and left us before we had awakened. We joined the family and were 

 kindly greeted. No sooner had I made known my intentions as to the 

 portraits, than the young folks disappeared and soon after returned at- 

 tired in their Sunday clothes. The black chalk was at work in a few 

 minutes, to their great delight, and as the fumes of the breakfast that 

 was meantime preparing reached my sensitive nose, I worked with re- 

 doubled ardour. The sketches were soon finished, and soon too was the 

 breakfast over. I played a few airs on my flageolet, while our guide was 

 putting the horses to the cart, and by ten o'clock we were once more un- 

 der way towards Meadville. Never shall I forget Maxon Ran dell and 

 his hospitable family. My companion was as pleased as myself, and as 

 the weather was now beautiful, we enjoyed our journey with all that hap- 

 py thoughtlessness best suited to our character. The country now be- 

 came covered with heavy timber, principally evergreens, the Pines and 



