The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1880-04-28

We were in rather an, uncomfortable
frame OF mind when, turning corner,
we saw right in front Of us, rising from
a belt of trees, column of smoke.
The sight was like an oasis in the des-
ert. We hurried to it and found, to
our exceeding satisfaction, it was a
charming country inn, shrined in a
glorious sweet-smelling frame of honey
suckle. We entered together. The
very sight Of the bar was enough to do
one good. The array of bottles taste
fully arranged, the genial air of neat
ness and comfort which pervaded ev-
erything, filed our wearied souls in an
tlcipation with the sweets of rest. Be-
hind the counter sat female, looking
quite a lady, about IS or SO, in widows
cap and weeds. She rose at our en-
trance.
We want two beds," said, coming
to the point at once.
We can offer you none," she replied,
civilly, but anything but warmly; we
are already overcrowded."
aNo bedp I said, staggering back,
while Georges face fell an inch at
least. But sofa. or"
I am sorry" interrupted she, speak
ing as I never heard an inn-keeper,
whether masculine or feminine, speak
before; but we have no accommoda-
ton of any sort to give you"
Then where shall we find another
inn?"
"The next inn is about she paused
eight or nine miles farther on"
She might as well have said eight or
nine hundred.
Out we staggered from that delicious
bar into the gathering night. There
was man, of some sort, standing in
the bar; and, as we went out, noticed
him lean over and whisper to. the host
ess. It was as though we had been lift
ed to celestial heights to be plunged in
to unknown darkness. What we were
to do we had not the faintest notion.
To walk eight or nine miles over such
country in our then state was phys
ical impossibility. It was all we could
do to keep ourselves from sinking on
the road. As we went, YEARLY drag
ging our legs along, some enc came
running after us. It was a girl, appar-
emily servant-girl, young, pretty, and
neatly dressed. She seemed in great
hurry.
"Please, sir" she said, stopping US,
I've brought message"
looked at her. "a message? From
whom?" rE -
"From the inn, sir. Mistress says
you're to come back at once"
"Come back at oncep I repeated it
after her, astonished. These were odd
proceedings. .-..f .
"She says, sir, she will try to make
you comfortable. And she wished me
to say she is sorry, but she did not
know you"
Know mel OF course not. How was
she to, seeing she had never seen me
before, nor ! herr The ignorance was
mutual. s=
"Let's CO." said George, cutting fur
Their conversation short.
remember as we followed that pretty
maiden through the dim cleaning Of
what promised to be an unusually dark
night of half-wondering whether she
were having little game with us. But
she was not, and in thinking so I
wronged her.
When we reached the inn the hostess
bowed.
II am sorry, sir," she said, in a state
~ way, " to have sent you away, but I
did not know YOU"
Did not know me. What did she mean
by saying that she did not know me? OF
course she did not know me. How was
she to? But I had no time for refec-
ton. The servant showed us into an
innerroom, the neatest, contest, prettiest
little room, I do believe. I ever saw.
George threw himself on the sofa, while
sat on chair. my feet apart, my hands
on my knees, staring into vacancy, feel
ing little mystifed. ..t
In few minutes the servant re-
turned. please, will you step shis
way, sir?" said she to me.
George was asleep on the sofa, and
did not notice her entrance.
I followed her upstairs; we were evil
IDENTIFY among the bedrooms. She
stopped at the door, and, opening it,
showed me in. It was sleeping apart
ment, quite small, but SO neat and clean
and pretty, so unlike the usual thing
you expect in hotels and inns, that I
looked at the servant in amaze. There
we're suit of clothes laid out upon the
bed, black and seeming quite new, and
a clean white shirt hanging on chair,
collar, necktie and socks on the seat,
and pair of slippers on the floor.
Mistress" said my guide, wishes
you to change your clothes, or else you
will get cold" This was a fresh sur
prise. She was really oonsiderate
landlady. Landladies are not in the
habit or landlords either, unfortunate
ly-of offering and providing entire
changes of clothing to wet and wearied
travellers.
aWhat," I inquired, "is your mistress
name?"
"Mrs. Mac something in three syl-
tables, but what I could not catch. She
then withdrew.
Taking off my drenched suit, first
had a thorough good wash, and then
put on the clothes provided. When I
was dressed, I am inclined to think I
looked like an undertaker's man got up
for funeral. i went downstairs again
and found my Phillis waiting at the
foot to guide NE into the parlor, where