Beneath the glimmer of more candles than Mrs. Wetherbe
had previously burned at once, the supper was spread, and
very nice and plentiful it was; for, more mindful of the hungry
wood-choppers than of Mrs. Randall's notions of propriety,
there were at least a dozen broiled chickens, besides other
meats on the table I need not attempt a full description of

[figure description] Page 046.[end figure description]

conserves and cakes, bread, pies and puddings, delicious tea
and coffee, with all the etceteras, which country housewifes
provide with liberal hands on occasions of this sort.

Very proud was Ellen, as she took the last survey previously
to sounding the horn for the “men-folks;” and well she might
be proud, for it was chiefly through her ingenuity and active
agency that all was nice and tasteful as it was.

Mrs. Randall still made herself officious, but with less assurance
than at first; and Ellen was in nowise inclined to yield
her position, and indeed almost the entire responsibility rested
upon her, for poor Mrs. Wetherbe was sadly out of spirits in
consequence of the non-appearance of Helph and Jenny. All
possible chances of evil she exaggerated, and in her simple
mind there were a thousand dangers which did not in reality
exist. In spite of the festivities about her the tears would
come. Likely enough, she said, the dear boy had got into the
canal or the river and was drownded, or his critter might have
become frightened, there were so many sceerry things in town,
and so have run away and broken every thing to pieces.

Once or twice she walked to the neighboring hill in the hope
of seeing him in the far distance, but in vain—he came not;
the supper could be delayed no longer, and sitting by the
window that overlooked the highway, the kind-hearted woman
wept and gazed alternately. Not so the mother—little trouble
she gave herself as to whether any accident had befallen her
son; perhaps she guessed the cause of his delay, but whether
so or not, none were gayer than she.

Her beauty had once been of a showy order, and indeed she
was not yet very much faded, and on this occasion her hair
was tastefully arranged, and though her gown was of calico,
she was really the best dressed woman in the assembly. Of
this she seemed aware, and glided into flirtations with the

[figure description] Page 047.[end figure description]

country beaux in a free and easy way, which greatly surprised
some of us unsophisticated lassies—in fact, one or two elderly
bachelors were sorely disappointed, as well as amazed, when
they knew that the lady from town was none other than
Helph's mother! I cannot remember the time when my animal
spirits had much of the careless buoyancy which makes
youth so blessed, and at the time I write of I was little more
than a passive observer, and for this reason, perhaps, I remember
more correctly the incidents of the evening.

The table was spread among the trees in the door-yard,
which was all illuminated with tallow candles; the snowy
linen waved in the breeze, and the fragrance of tea and coffee
was for the time being pleasanter than flowers. But flowers
I remember were in requisition, and such as were in bloom,
large or small, bright or pale, were gathered for adornment of
tresses, curled and braided with elaborate care. At a later
hour some of them were transferred to the buttonholes of
favored admirers.

What an outbreak of merriment there was, when down the
twilight hill that sloped against the woods came the little band
of choppers, with coats swung upon their arms and axes
gleaming over their shoulders. Every thing became irresistibly
funny, and from the beds of poppies and hollyhocks went
peals of mingled jests and laughter.

The quilt was finished, but Mehitable and Elizabeth remained
close within the chamber, whether to contemplate the
completed work, or to regale themselves with a little gossip of
their own, I do not know.

A large tin lantern was placed on the top of the pump, and
beside it stood a wash-tub filled with water which was intended
to serve, and did serve, as a general basin for the ablutions
of the young men. Besides the usual “roller-towel,”

[figure description] Page 048.[end figure description]

which hung by the kitchen door, there were two or three
extra ones attached to the boughs of the apple-tree by the
well; and the bar of yellow soap procured for the occasion,
lay on a shingle conveniently at hand, while a paper comb-case
dangled from a bough betwixt the towels.

These toilet facilities were deemed by some of the party
quite superfluous, and their wooden pocket-combs and handkerchiefs
were modestly preferred. During the “fixing up”
the exuberance of spirits found vent in liberal splashing and
dashing of water upon each other, as also in wrestling bouts
and mere wordy warfare, at the conclusion of which the more
aristocratic of the gentlemen resumed their coats, while others,
disdaining ceremony, remained not only at the supper, but
during the entire evening, “in their shirt sleeves,” and with
silk handkerchiefs bound about their waists after the fashion
of reapers.

“Come, boys!” called Ellen, who assumed a sort of motherly
tone and manner toward us all, “what does make you stay
away so.”

The laughter among the girls subsided to titters, as in a demure
row they arranged themselves along one side of the
table, and the jests fell at once to a murmur as the “boys”
seated themselves opposite. “Now, don't all speak at once,”
said Ellen; “how will you have your coffee, Quincy?”

Mr. Quincy Adams Bell said he was not particular—he
would take a little sugar and a little cream if she had them
handy, if not, it made no difference.

“Tea or coffee, Mehitable?” she said next. But the lady
addressed didn't drink either—coffee made her drowsy-like,
and if she should drink a cup of tea she should not sleep a wink
all night.

Elizabeth said Mehitt was just like herself—she drank a

[figure description] Page 049.[end figure description]

great deal, and strong. This joke produced much laughter,
and indeed the mirthfulness was quite irrepressible; on the
part of the ladies, because of the joyous occasion and their
greater excitability; and on that of the gentlemen, because of
the green and yellow twisted bottles that had glistened that
afternoon in the ivy that grew along the woods; even more
for this perhaps than for the bright eyes opposite.

One said she drank her tea naked; another, that Ellen might
give her a half-a-cup—she would rather have a little and have
it good, as to have a good deal and not have it good. And
in this she meant not the slightest offence or insinuation. “I
hope,” said Mr. Wetherbe, speaking in a tremulous voice, and
pushing back his thin gray hair, “I hope you will none of you
think hard of my woman for not coming to sarve you herself—
she is in the shader of trouble, but she, as well as myself,
thanks you all for the good turn you have done us, and wishes
you to make yourselves at home, and frolic as long as you are
a mind to,” and the good old man retired to the house to give
his wife such comfort as he could. The shadow of their sorrow
did not rest long upon the group at the table, and for its
temporary suppression the mirth was louder than before.
There were one or two exceptions, however, among the gay
company. Poor Hetty Day, as her eyes ran along the line of
smiling faces and failed of the object of their search they
drooped heavily, and her smiles and words were alike forced.
Between her and all the gayety stood the vision of a fair
lady conjured by the evil words of Mehitable and Elizabeth,
and scarcely would the tears stay back any longer when her
light-hearted neighbors rallied her as to the cause of her dejection.
At the sound of a hoofstroke on the highway her
quick and deep attention betrayed the interest she felt in the
absent doctor.

[figure description] Page 050.[end figure description]

“Why hast thou no music on thy tongue, fair maiden?”
asked a pale slender young man sitting near her; and looking
up, her eyes encountered the blue melancholy orbs of a young
cooper, who had lately neglected the adze for the pen, in the
use of which, by the way, he was not likely to obtain much
facility.

His flaxen hair hung in curls down his shoulders, he wore
his collar reversed, and a sprig of cedar in the buttonhole of
his vest, which was of red and yellow colors, otherwise his
dress was not fantastical, though he presented the appearance
of one whose inclinations outstripped his means, perhaps. A
gold chain attached to a silver watch, and a bracelet of hair
on the left wrist, fastened with a small tinsel clasp, evinced an
undisciplined taste, though his face attested natural refinement.
He had recently published in the “Ladies' Garland” two poems,
entitled and opening as follows:

These poems he took from his pocket and submitted to the
critical acumen of Hetty, saying he should really take it as a
great favor if she would tell him frankly what her opinion was
of the repetitions in the last line of the first stanza, as also
what she thought of the idea of comparing a child to a flower,
and of Death's transplanting it from earth to heaven.

[figure description] Page 051.[end figure description]

Hetty knew nothing of poetry, but she possessed an instinctive
sense of politeness and something of tact withal, as
indeed most women do, and shaped her answer to conceal her
own ignorance, and at the same time flatter her auditor. This
so inflated his vanity that he informed her confidentially that
he was just then busily engaged in the collection of his old
letters, for nobody knew, he said, what publicity they might
come to.

In his apprehensions and cautious endeavors the lady's judgment
concurred with his own, and he resolved at once to put
in the “Ladies' Garland” an advertisement, requesting all persons
who might have in their possession any letters or other
written documents of his, to return them to the address of
P. Joel Springer, forthwith. High above the praises of his
simple listener he heard sounding the blessed award of the
future time, and the echoes of his unrequited sorrows went
moaning through the farther end of the world.

Ah, me, who of us after all are much wiser; for on bases as
unsubstantial have we not at one time or another rested some
gorgeous fabric, whose turrets were to darken among the
stars.

Time soon enough strips the future of its phantasy—drives
aside the softening mists, and reveals the hard and sharp
realities of things.

But, to return—merry were the guests generally, and ample
justice they did to the viands before them, partly in response
to excellent appetites, and partly in answer to the urgent entreaties
of Ellen, though she constantly depreciated her culinary
skill, and reiterated again and again that she had nothing
very inviting. But her praises were on every tongue, and her
hands were more than busy with the much service required of
them, but this added to her happiness; and as she glided up

[figure description] Page 052.[end figure description]

and down the long table, serving the tea and coffee, snuffing
the candles, or urging the most bashful to be helped to a little
of this or that, just to please her, or to put a good taste in
their mouths, she was the very personification of old-fashioned
country hospitality. Every one liked Ellen, for she was one
of those who always forget themselves when there is any thing
to do for others.

At length, one of the young men who had had communication
with the bottles I mentioned as lying cool among the ivy
during the afternoon, protested that he would bring a rail to
serve as a pry, unless his companions desisted from further
eating of their own free will. “That is right, Bill,” called
out one of nature kindred in bluntness and coarseness, “here
is a fellow wants choking off.” “I own up to that,” said another,
“I have eaten about a bushel, I guess.” “If I had a
dollar for every mouthful you have eaten,” said one, “I
wouldn't thank nobody for being kin to me.” “Well,” answered
the person alluded to, “if I have busted a couple of
buttons off my vest, I don't think you are a fellow that will be
likely to let much bread mould.” “La, how you young men
do run on,” said Ellen, neither surprised nor offended at the
coarse freedom of the jests; and amid roars of laughter the
party arose, and many of the gentlemen resorted to the whiskey
bottles anew, for the sake of keeping up their spirits,
as they said; after which, with lighted cigars in their mouths,
they “locked arms” with the ladies, and talked sentiment in
the moonlight as they strolled in separate pairs, previously to
assembling in the garret for the usual order of exercises upon
such occasions.

Meantime the candles were mostly carried thither by certain
forlorn maidens, who said they were afraid of the night
air, and from the open windows rung out old hymns—“How

[figure description] Page 053.[end figure description]

tedious and tasteless the hours,” “Come thou fount of every
blessing,” &c.

Hidden by shadows, and sitting with folded arms upon a
topmost fence-rail, P.Joel Springer listened alone to the dirgelike
sighing of the wind, and the dismal hootings of the owl.

And our good hostess, the while, could neither be prevailed
upon to eat or sleep, even though her excellent spouse assured
her that Helph was safe enough, and that she knew right well
how often he spent the night from home in his young days,
and that too when no accident had befallen him; but the dear
old lady refused to be comforted—every unusual noise to her
fancy was somebody bringing Helph home dead.

Mr. Wetherbe had the autumn passed missed a land in the
sowing of his wheat field, and that she had always heard say
was a sure sign of death.

In couples, already engaged for the first play, the strollers
came in at last, and what a tempest of laughter and fun there
was—I cannot describe it. The entertainment which passed
current then is not the fashion of these times, but I in nowise
exaggerate the manners or pastimes of the time I write
about. Some awkward embarrassment followed the assembling
in the garret under the blaze of the many candles, but
when it was whispered that Jo Allen, the most genial and
good-hearted fellow of them all, had just been taken home on
horseback, and that Abner Gibbs, for his better security, had
ridden behind him, mirth flowed anew, and was considered to
flow from a most legitimate source. Others, it was more privately
rumored, had taken a drop too much, and would not be
in trim to see the girls “safe home” that night.

“Come,” said Ellen, as she entered the room last of all, having
been detained, beyond her other duties, in kindly endeavors
to induce Jo Allen to drink sweet milk as an antidote:

[figure description] Page 054.[end figure description]

“come, why don't some of you start a play?” But all protested
they didn't know a single thing, and insisted that Ellen
should herself “start the play.”

“Hunt the Key” was proposed, and the whole party formed
into a circle, with hand joined to hand, and were directed to
move rapidly round and round, during which process, a key
was attached to the coat of some unsuspecting individual, who
was then selected to find it, being informed that it was in the
keeping of some one present. The circle then resumed its
gyrations, and the search began by examining pockets and
forcing apart the interlocked hands, a procedure relished with
great gusto, all persons except the searcher for the key being
well aware of its whereabouts.

Soon all diffidence vanished, and


“O sister Phœbe, how merry were we
The night we sat under the juniper-tree,”
rung far across the meadows, and was followed by a series of
rude rhyming, sung as accompaniments to the playing.


“Uncle Johnny's sick a-bed,
What shall we send him?
Three good wishes, three good kisses,
And a loaf of gingerbread,”
was performed to admiration, an exchange of kisses being required,
of course. Then came selling of pawns and paying
penalties, a requisition no less agreeable.


“My love and I will go,
And my love and I will go,
And we'll settle on the banks
Of the pleasant O-hi-ó,”
was enacted by one party choosing a mate from the other sex,
and promenading to the tune of a slight flirtation.

[figure description] Page 055.[end figure description]

But the climax of the evening was reserved till a late hour
and consisted of the following acting, called Love and War.

Two chairs were placed some three feet apart, over which
a quilt was carefully spread, so as seemingly to form a divan,
a lady being seated on either chair, during which arrangement
the gentlemen withdrew to the lower apartments, to be
separately admitted again when all was prepared. A rap on
the door announced an applicant for admission, who was immediately
conducted by the master of ceremonies to the
treacherous divan and presented to the ladies, being asked at
the same time which he preferred, love or war, and no matter
what he answered, requested to sit between them, they at the
same time rising and precipitating their innocent admirer to
the ground, a denouement followed by the most boisterous
applause.

“I guess,” said Mehitable, “whispering in a congratulatory
way to Elizabeth, “that Hetty will have to get home the best
way she can, I haven't seen any body ask her for her company.”
But just then there was a little bustle at the door, a
murmur of congratulations and regrets, over which sounded
the exclamation, “just in time to see the cat die;” Mehitable
raised herself on tiptoe—the doctor was come. A moment
afterwards he stood beside Hetty, who was blushing and
smiling—genuine smiles this time; but in answer to some
whispered words she shook her head a little sadly, as it seemed,
and the doctor's brow darkened with a frown. Of this Mr.
P. Joel Springer was not unobservant, and coming forward,
reluctantly, as he said, relinquished the pleasure he had expected.
“Adieu, fair maiden,” he said, “alone I take my
lonely way, communing with the stars.”

Hetty and the doctor were next to go, and then came a
general breaking up. Horses were saddled, and sleepy colts

[figure description] Page 056.[end figure description]

left the warm dimples in the grass and followed slowly the
gallants walking beside the ladies as they rode. Some there
were, too, walking across the fields, and others through the
dusty highway, all mated as pleased them, except Mehitable
and Elizabeth, who both rode one horse, comforting each other
with the assurance that young men were very great fools.

And so we take our leave of them, as in separate pairs they
wend homeward, each gentleman with the slippers of his ladylove
in his pocket, and her mammoth comb in his hat.