to become angry;
but so ludicrous was the whole affair, that she could not resist the
contagious influence of my mirth; and she, too, almost screamed with
laughter.

When our mirth had somewhat subsided, I inquired--

"Well, are you going to keep an appointment with the Dutch Venus?"

"What an absurd question! Of course not! She may wait by the orchard
gate all night, for what _I_ care--the great, lubbery fool!"

"What do you say to _my_ meeting her at the appointed time and place? I
will act as your representative, and make every satisfactory
explanation."

"You shall do no such thing. How dare you make such a proposition? I am
perfectly astonished at your impudence!"

The next morning, after breakfast, we prepared to depart. I saw that the
farmer's daughter regarded my fair friend with a ferocious look. The
damsel had probably passed two or three hours in the night air, waiting
for her "faithless swain."

Having thanked the good old farmer for his hospitality, and received his
blessing in return, we departed.

It is not my intention to weary the reader with the details of each
day's travel; indeed, my limited space would not admit of such
particularity. I shall, however, as briefly as possible, relate such
incidents of the journey as I may deem especially worthy of mention.
When we reached Lancaster, we discovered that our funds had entirely
given out, for we had lived expensively at taverns on the way, instead
of exercising a judicious economy. How to raise a fresh supply of money
was now the question, and one most difficult to be answered. But an
unexpected stroke of good fortune was in store for us. Strolling into
the bar-room of the principal hotel, I saw a play-bill stuck up on the
wall. This I read with avidity; and then, to my great satisfaction, I
became aware of the fact that an old friend of mine, one Bill Pratt, a
travelling actor and manager, had "just arrived in Lancaster with a
talented company of comedians, who would that evening have the honor of
appearing before the ladies and gentlemen of the above named place in a
series of entertainments at once Moral, Chaste, Instructive and
Classical, at the Town Hall. Admission--twelve-and-a-half cents."

So read the play-bill. I and my fair friend immediately posted to the
Town Hall, and there I found Brother Pratt busily engaged in arranging
his stage, putting up his scenery, &c. He was prodigiously glad to see
me.[I] Among his company I recognized