Roses of Yesterday 
475 
Roses. These Rose leaves were carried carefully to 
each home, and were packed in stone jars with alter- 
nate layers of brown or scant maple sugar. Soon all 
conglomerated into a gummy, brown, close-grained, 
not over alluring substance to the vision, which was 
known among the children by the unromantic name 
of “ Rose tobacco.” This cloying confection was 
in high repute. It was chipped off* and eaten in 
tiny bits, and much treasured — as a love token, or 
reward of good behavior. 
The Mason house was a tavern. It was not one 
of the regular stopping-places on the turnpike road, 
being rather too near the town to gather any travel 
of teamsters or coaches ; but passers-by who knew 
the house and the Masons loved to stop there. 
Everything in the well-kept, well-filled house and 
barns contributed to the comfort of guests, and it was 
known that the Masons cared more for the company 
of the traveller than for his pay. 
There was a shadow on this house. The young- 
est of the family, Hannah, had been jilted in her 
youth, cc shabbed ” as said the country folks. 
After several years of “ constant company-keeping ” 
with the son of a neighbor, during which time many a 
linen sheet and tablecloth, many a fine blanket, had 
been spun and woven, and laid aside with the tacit 
understanding that it was part of her wedding outfit, 
the man had fallen suddenly and violently in love 
with a girl who came from a neighboring town to 
sing a single Sunday in the church choir. He had 
driven to her home the following week, carried her 
off to a parson in a third town, married her, and 
