s. R. was standing on the portico, and as
Col. G. walked up she said "Sir, I assure you that we are all very
glad to see you. We had been talking about you at the time that you
appeared at the road gate. Walk in. We will talk about that later.
Take off your overcoat and wrappings." "Thank you, madam," he replied.

"Colonel," said Col, Ridley, "to use a commonplace expression, which
is, 'talk about the devil and his imp will appear,' we had just been
wondering who the rider could be. One said that he was a preacher;
another that he was a book agent. Old Aunt Barbara, the plantation
nurse, said that he was a doctor coming to sell some of Godfrey's
Cordial for the children. And I see I first discovered that it was
you. I am rather disposed to think that you feel bad. I have some of
the same Cider Berry Juice, and as everything is ready you will,
without any further ceremony, walk up and take a little for the
stomach's sake." "Thank you," said Col. G. "Since travelling over the
county of Southampton I have had frequent occasions to try the juice.
It is prepared and kept by most of the farmers, and the use of it acts
like a charm." "If you would like to arrange your toilet, the boy will
show you to your room. In the meantime I will see to having your horse
properly cared for." The boy was the same that waited on Col. G.
before, and was the son of the nurse of the plantation. "Well, Buck,
how is your mammy now? How much Black Jack and Taters has she given
you since I left?" "He, he, he," giggled the boy. "I tell you what it
is, boss, mammy wars me out mos every day, but she gibs me plenty
taters an' I doan mine it." "Is Mrs. Bradly here?" "No sir. She did
not stay here long arter marster gib her de papers dat you lef, an' I
spec when she cum back she will hab lots o' money." "She will, no
doubt, as she will only have to present the papers. I should like very
much to see her. Is she handsome?" "I doan no what dat is, sar." "I
mean is she pretty?" "Yas, sar, dat she is. It is gin out dat she is
de puttiest 'oman in dis settlement, and I git so tired taking horses
ob gemmen dat cum to see her." "Then I expect she is bethrothed." "I
doan no 'bout dat, but she ses dat de rite gemman hab not cum yit." "I
must go down now, the Colonel may be waiting for me. Here is a dollar
for you. Be sure to come to my room to-night." "Yas, sar, I will be
dar sure." He had finished his toilet and proceeded down stairs. He
was met by Col. R., who s