PLEASANT GREETING. 7? 
of her pleasure in sharing her husband’s ex 
pressions of hospitality. 
The wanderers, seated by the fire, had fresh 
clothes, warm and dry, presented to them in re 
turn for their drenched garments. The blaze of 
the wood logs illumined the cottage, and the 
sight of poultry told of good cheer, when the 
host expressed his regret “that the travellers 
_had not arrived three weeks earlier; for,” said 
he, “it was our wedding-day. My father gave 
us a good house-warming, and you might have 
fared better; but if you can eat bacon, with eggs 
and a broiled chicken, you shall have that. I 
have no whisky; but my father has some ex. 
cellent cider. I'll go for a keg of it—it’s only 
three miles, so I'll be back before Eliza has 
cooked your supper.” In a minute, through the 
pouring of the rain, which fell in torrents, the 
galloping of his horse was heard. Meantime the 
negroes ground some coffee, and bread was 
baked by the fair young wife. The cloth was 
set, and all arranged, when the clattering of 
hoofs told the husband’s return. He entcred, 
bearing a two-gallon keg of cider. His eyes 
beamed with benevolent’ pleasure at the adven- 
ture, while, seated by the fire, he filled a bowl 
with the sparkling juice. Supper over, part 
of the bedding was arranged for the guests. 
Sweetly they slept till the return of morning, 
c* i 
