HOSPITALITY. 385 



For my part, kind reader, knowing my countrymen as I do, I was 

 not much struck at all this ; but my son, who had scarcely reached the 

 age of fourteen, drew near to me, and observed how pleasant it was to 

 have met with such good people. Mr Flint bore a hand in getting his 

 horses put under a shed. The young wife was already stirring with so 

 much Hveliness, that to have doubted for a moment that all she did was 

 not a pleasure to her would have been impossible. Two Negro lads made 

 their appearance, looked at us for a moment, and going out, called the 

 dogs. Soon after the cries of the poultry informed us that good cheer 

 was at hand. JapiTER brought more wood, the blaze of which illumined 

 the cottage. Mr Flint and our host returned, and we already began to 

 feel the comforts of hospitality. The woodsman remarked that it was a 

 pity we had not chanced to come that day 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 whisky in 

 the house, but father has some capital cider, and 111 go over and bring a 

 keg of it."" I asked how far off his father lived. " Only three miles. 

 Sir, and I'll be back before Eliza has cooked your supper." Off he went 

 accordingly, and the next moment the gallopping of his horse was heard. 

 The rain fell in torrents, 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, occupied 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 fire-place was of such dimensions that it looked 



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