Year: 1870

take in myself and these my fellow-travelers
Tor tonight? We have met with mishap
in the snow"


Tax ye in and that will l I When did
ever auld Elsie turn the traveller frae her
door and on siccan a NIGHT ?' Walk in.
sirs and Madam-walk in, my bonny man
Ito the guard. For though I'm lone, and
the gudeman's cen gone to York with the
kye, Use warrant I'll find ye the bit and
sup, and the best yes be glad of, the
nicht,"


Thus speaking, and with a voiubility
that left no room for word to be slipped
i'll, she ushered them into her kitchen, or.
at least, an apartment which answered the
purpose having first directed the coachman
who had now Joined them, where he might
stable his poor weary horses for the night.


The driver took the lantern from the
guard, and proceeded to secure his steeds
and the other persons followed their hostess
into the house.


The dame set before her guests savory
dish of cow-heel and bacon, and homely as
was the fare, so sharpened were their ap-
petites that all-even Miss Farquhar made
a hearty meal nor did the latter disdain
to taste and to highly praise the very ex-
cellent Yorkshire ale which seasoned the
repast.


She had not long been concluded when the
woman of the house rose, saying that she
must now see after the sleeping accomoda-
tions ofthe travellers, or, at least, prepare
bed for the lady The gentlemen, she said
must do as they best could with cloaks, and
plaid or two in an inner room, which she
would presently show them. With this
intimation she left the room, to the salts
faction of the weary governess, who felt
scarcely capable of keeping her eyes open
any longer.


After her departure there was no CONVEX
sation, for almost all the travellers felt the
influence of fatigue. Even the guard-for
they had all supped together, as under
such circumstances the distinction of class
were for awhile forgotten-yawned wearily
as he sat looking abstractedly at the red
cinders of the wood fire. The only one of
the party who appeared to be wide awake
was the seeming glazier and he, after a
few minutes, left the room, his departure
being unnoticed by the Others who had
all closed their eyes, the coachman and
| guard snoreing audibly.


After an interval of quarter of an hour
| al
mistress of the house, bearing tray, OH
which appeared six steaming glasses of
hot brandy-and-wat The entrance Of
the pair disturbed the occupants of the
kitchen, who looked surprised at this new
addition to their entertainment.


Old Elsie spoke. "She had just mal1en
bauld, " she said, "to bring thee and the
Teddy wee drap o sperrits to gar them
sleep cannily, and troth she wadna be the
waur for toothful herself


Sayin which, it was to be noticed the
that She took one of the glasses in hand
herself handed another to the grazier, and
placed the tray with the remaining four
upon the table before the guests.
Ihe guard took his readily, and Mr.
Hartley also drank half gassful, but, to
the surprise of them all, the coachman
would not do so.


He had a flask Of his own," he said,
"of which he had taken as much as ho
wantedwhilst he was in the outhouse,
looking after his horses"


AS for Miss Farquhar, no persuasion
would induce her taste the spirit. Then
observing frown on her hostess's brow
and not wishing to appear wanting in
civllty, she added that she was greatly
obliged for the attention, but that the one
glass of ale which she had taken was quito
ample for her wants, and she begged to
retire at once.


Accordingly she was conducted, some-
what surlily, by the woman, to an adjoin-
ing apartment, which indeed, although ap.
pearing cold and cheerless from it's white