Year: 1874

l that ] felt just as well satisfied as though l had been in an inn and paid out shilling for dinner, and I laid down in the shade for an hour or so till thought the pony had had a good chance to get rested, then concluded might as we'll push along, for meant to stop that night with my mothers l cousin, who lived about ten miles further on. As I was putting on the saddle the tavern-keeper came out.

 "'I wouldn't be too quick about starting, young, man, said he, tits going to rain.'

 "sReckon you are mistaken there, said I.

 "'Guess not,' replied he. i've lived here these five and forty years, and never heard the looms scream over the pond and saw the clouds hang be- low the mountain in the way they do now without our getting rain afore | night

 However, was sure I could get to my cousins in time, so I started in spite of his warning but I hadn't got more than @ matter of two or three miles when it grew so dark that knew had better make for shelter, and as I hadn't passed house since left the tavern, I calculated that the best thing could do was to go right back. The road was down hill all the way, and I wasn't long in compassing the distance, 1 but just as I cantered into the barn the rain came down powerfully. The tavern keeper laughed when he saw me, and said he was looking for me back to SUD- per.

 "'Well,, I'll agree that you are the best jndge of the weather said I, but when I left home I didn't lay out to put up at taverns, and if I could do little something to pay, for my lodging I should be glad to-

 "sOh, don't borrow any trouble about that,' said he I won't be hard upon you; but now I think of it, I have got some grain in my barn that needs threshing, and if you are a mind l to try your hand at that spell we'll call it square,

 "So went to the barn pretty we'll pleased with my bargain, and, pulling off my coat, made lively work among the rye that was spread out upon the floor. I prided myself upon being able to thresh with any man In the country, and my fail buzzed up and down the length of the barn till you would have thought there were dozen fails in the air. I mind how the young fellows who were hanging about the tavern came and stared at me and made re- marks but laid about me at such a rate that they were glad to stand back out of my way.

 "I reckon the landlord didn't lose much by his trade that time. We had fried potatoes, cold salt beef, and corn bread for supper, and it was proper. good, no mistake.

 "The next morning the sun rose clear as bell, and I was off again bright and early. I went right past Cousin Hepzibole's, for I was anxious to get through to my uncle's that night It wasn't no great disappointment te me for, as I said. she was only second cousin on my mothers side, and thougE had never seen her, I had always heard that she wasn't the pleasantest and most even-tempered woman in the world. If could have had my choice think should have rather done the threshing anyway.

 "I logged along at 8 pretty gooc pace that forenoon, and by twelve o'clock was pretty we'll up among tht mountains. I had more than half o my doughnuts and cheese left. Mother wasn't one of the kind that scrimped il putting up luncheons, and there wal plenty of good clover by the road side so Brutus and I were not accountable to anybody for our dinner that day. did get 8 little tired before night though, and caught myself noddine several times as we went up the long hills; then would get off and walk piece.

 "About sundown I reached Bolton but didn't know in just what direction my uncle lived, so ] stopped before the door of little wood. colored house anG asked the old woman, who sat knitting by the kitchen fire, if she could tell mf where I could find Jeremiah Gales house.

 Why, I guess you are stranger in these parts if you don't know where Jeremiah Gale lives, said she.

 Yes, am,' said I.

 "' What district might you be fromP asked she.

 "' Massachusetts, replied.

 "'Dew tell r said she. What sort of country is it down yender and how did you make out with your potato crop this year? Sich harassing time as we have had with ours first it was too dry, and then it was too wet, and then these pesky bugs came round. tell our folks that if should have te go to the poorhouse, the first thing should ask for would be dish of good mealy potatoes.'

 ''I saw that she would talk for hal the night if would stop to listen te her, so asked her again if she would direct me to Mir. Gales. " Why, Tor, yes, of course I will, said she it's good mile further on but the road is as straight as an arrer The house IS gambrell roof, with tive popple trees standing right afore it You can't miss it-but don't be in sucl : 8 hurry. Stop and rest yourself spell can't ye? l thanked her, but hurried along, pleased enough that I was st near my journeys end. After I hat , rode about half mile l saw little olt man laying stone wall near the road saw him stop and look at me a though he meant to speak, but I wa tired and thought I wouldn't give hin . 8 chance, and was passing him uron , brisk trot. when he just reached out hi hand and took Brutus by the bridle. 't' You seem to be in great hurry, ! said he. Where mought you bt l from?'

 "I told him Dunderbrook, Massa 5 chusetts.

 "' Why, how you talkp said he Did you ever run against cousin o mine, David Smith, who lives in the ol. , Bay State somewhere? I've lost al : track of him lately

 "s Never heard of him. "'Ah ? what mought be your name } if I may be 50 bold?' t Ezekiel Gale

 F ".Any relation to Squire Gale folk 2

 "s He is my uncle.'