astonishment at his nonchalance. When it is remembered that our new-comer had brought with him no visible responsibilities in the shape of a horse, wagon, or pair of saddle-bags, and that his garments had seen many rent-days, the old man's indignation may be readily conceived and appreciated, as he asked in a sharp tone:
"Have you any business with me, Sir?"
The Yankee replied:
"Wall, now, I rather guess I have. I hope I hain't made no mistake nor nothin'. I inquired of that woolly-headed chap what set me over the river a spell ago, where I'd find a night's lodgin', and he p'inted right straight here, old dad, and no mistake, and I walked right in and made myself to hum."
"Yes," said the old man; "I think you do make yourself at home with a vengeance."
The Yankee rejoined:
"Now, old gentleman, I just begin to see how it is. I'm all the way from down-east, and I'm rather green out here, but not quite so green as a drake's neck. If you've any notion that I can't fork down the dust, I rather guess you 're a little bit out of your latitude."
The old man looked at me, and I could see he felt that he had gone rather too far, and, in judging too much by appearances, had not manifested his usual discretion. I answered his inquiring glance by an indication that I thought our Yankee was all right, and the old man was greatly relieved by a summons "to walk up to the supper-table, and be seated."
Who that has ever been really hungry from exposure and violent exercise, can fail in his imagination to see the warm fumes rise up from a large pewter platter of fried pork, and as he scents the delicious odor, congratulate our small party on the bounties before them? Down we sat and fell to work in right good earnest. For a few moments there was a truce to conversation—to the etiquette of asking your next neighbor if you might have the pleasure of helping him to this nice bit of lean, or that laughing potato. Even our Yankee was metamorphosed into a man of deeds, and not of words, he having hardly waited for the common announcement by the landlady, "Now all turn to and help yourselves."
