The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser., 1900-03-02

upon its roof If the sigrorc will come
and rest there, | shall be honored."
Who could resist such charming ly-
worded invitation? We rose and fol-
lowed her through narrow, winding
streets, and on the way, contided to
each other the terrible suspicion that
our bencfactress was she with whom 4
few hours before, we had bargaincd
over some paltry pipes. 1t was too
true. and now in our modification. we
regretted hat we had not even doubled
her asking price. But it was too late,
and for an hour or more she ceased not
to heap Goals of fire upon our heads.
She led us up 4 steep staircase into a
large, high room, with a stone floor,
the very soul of order and cleanliness.
Brightly polished copper saucepan
hung above the dresser; table with
spotless cloth stood in the middle OF
the floor, a few gay pictures enlivened
the walls, and an atmosphere OF re-
freshing GOODNESS pcrvaded the room.
We looke,l through into he tiny llitch-
en-, with Ii, .n..iHir c.l.irc' i 'Fc, and
then our friend took us into her bed
room. 1t was small, about hait OF it
being occupied hy great bed, with
enormous pillows, most luxurious and
inviting Of ASPECT. She turned down
the bed clothes to show us that the
heavy. hand woven linen sheets were
spotless, and entreated us to lie down
and rest. Our refusal seemed to really
trouble her. When We had first en-
tered the house, the good woman had
dispatched her twclve-ycarold son on
an errand, with whispered instructions,
and he now reappeared with new
cake of Windsor soap, which his moth
cr deposited on the wash stand, invit-
ing us to wash off the dust of the long
summers day. Whether soap was an
unaccustomed luxury in this home, to
be procured especially for guests, or
whether our hostess fancied that visl-
tors of the Ango-SaNon race preferred
soap of trae British manufacture, is a
question. The towels which our host
ess proudly displayed, woven by her
own hands, were very large and firm,
and far superior to those common in
onr own country in houses much more
pretentious than hers.
When we were thoroughly refreshed,
and sat down to rest in the cool sitting
room, the good woman dispatched her
son to take his fathers place in the
stall, and send him home to help enter
tain the guests Hardly had the boy
disappeared when the proud mother
began to talk of his industry and good
standing in school; showed us his books,
his neatly written exercises. the priz
he had won, and confidcd to us her
high hopes ofhis future. Her husband
proved equally gracious and hospitable'
and insisted upon opening b~ttle Of
wine in our honor. Before serving us,
he poured few drops INTO glass,
with which he sprinkled the floor, re-
calling the ancient custom of the liba-
tion to the gods which has lived cE
through the centuries in some remote
corners of the land. The wine was
very sour and very strong, and the
glasses seemed very large; SO between
our desire to do full justice to the kind
ness of the hospitable couple, and the
necessity of keeping our heads clear
for the journey, we found ourselves in
an embarrassing position. After
time the good man brought out large
piece of cheese, which had been sent to
him hy relative in the country, ard
which, judging from its appearance
and odor, must have nearly fulfilled the
time ordinarily allotted to cheese cN-
istence. 1t was painful duty to taste
it. but our feelings can hardly be de-
scribed when our host informed us of
his intention to give us bit Of this
precious edible wherewith to regale
ourselves on our journey to Bologna.
In spite of protests he dove into a pan
try and broaeht out a head of lettuce.
With a sharp knife he skilfully cut out
the heart, and putting our cheese into
its place, tied the outside leaves tight
ly together over it, making a delight
fully cool wrapping which would pre-
serve its freshness, and-we devoutly
hopcd-imprison its od> T..
The time for our departure was
drawing near, so our host called car
riage, into which he handed us. care
fully deposting on the front seat not
only the bundle of cheese, but n quart
bottle of his precious Vine, with no
wrapping whatever around it. We
begged our friends to drive with us to
the station, but this they very decided
ly refused, giving us to understand
that it would be a great breach of pro-
pricty for them to enter a carriage with
us. They were quite contented with
their station. and had no desire to over
step the limits 50 strongly marked in
their land. TO our republican minds
the companionship Of persons with
snch refinement OF feeling and grace of
manner was quite the reverse of de-
grading. 1t is needless to say that
money offered in the most delicate way
l.. g.. Il,