386 HOSPITALITY. 



as if it had been purposely constructed for holding the numerous progeny 

 expected to result from the happy union. 



The black boy was engaged in grinding some coffee. Bread was 

 prepared by the fair hands of the bride, and placed on a flat board in 

 front of the fire. The bacon and eggs already murmured and spluttered 

 in the frying-pan, and a pair of chickens puffed and swelled on a gridiron 

 over the embers, in front of the hearth. The cloth was laid, and every 

 thing arranged, when the clattering of hoofs announced the return of the 

 husband. In he came, bearing a two-gallon keg of cider. His eyes 

 sparkled with pleasure as he said, " Only think, Eliza ; father wanted 

 to rob us of the strangers, and was for coming here to ask them to his 

 own house, just as if we could not give them enough ourselves ; but here's 

 the drink — Come gentlemen, sit down and help yourselves." We did 

 so, and I, to enjoy the repast, took a chair of the husband's making in 

 preference to one of those called Windsor, of which there were six in the 

 cabin. This chair was bottomed with a piece of deer's skin tightly 

 stretched, and afforded a very comfortable seat. 



The wife now resumed her spinning, and the husband filled a jug 

 with the sparkling cider, and, seated by the blazing fire, Avas drying his 

 clothes. The happiness he enjoyed beamed from his eye, as at my re- 

 quest he proceeded to give us an account of his affairs and prospects, 

 which he did in the following words : — " I will be twenty-two next 

 Christmas-day,"" said our host ; " My father came from Virginia when 

 young, and settled on the large tract of land where he yet lives, and 

 where with hard working he has done well. There were nine children 

 of us. Most of them are married and settled in the neighbourhood. The 

 old man has divided his lands among some of us, and bought others for 

 the rest. The land where I am he gave me two years ago, and a finer 

 piece is not easily to be found. I have cleared a couple of fields, and 

 planted an orchard. Father gave me a stock of cattle, some hogs, and 

 four horses, with two Negro boys. I camped here for most of the time 

 when clearing and planting ; and when about to marry the young woman 

 you see at the wheel, father helped me in raising this hut. My wife, as 

 luck would have it, had a Negro also, and we have begun the world as 



well off as most folks, and, the Lord willing, may but, gentlemen, 



you don't eat; do help yourselves — Eliza, maybe the strangers would 

 like some milk." The wife stopped her work, and kindly asked if we 

 preferred sweet or sour milk ; for you must know, reader, that sour milk 



