Colonel Godfrey, he proposed to his host that they should go to
her quarters. They had but a short distance to go, as her house was
very conveniently situated. When they arrived they found the old lady
with a baby in her lap, evidently for some purpose. "Good morning,
aunty," said Col. Godfrey. The old woman looked very much excited; she
wore a pair of spectacles, the lenses of which looked like two
saucers. "Mornin', sir," she replied. "What are you going to do with
your baby?" inquired the Colonel. "I'm gwine to feed it, sir; its
mammy is ded, an' I hab to feed it myself." "What do you give it to
eat?" "I char 'tater, spit it out on my finger an' wipe 'cross de
chile's mouf, arter dat I make a sugar rag, put some sweet flag in it,
put de rag in de chile's mouf and lay it down; it goes to sleep, an'
wen it wakes up ef it cries I gin it some more 'tater." "But," queried
the Colonel, "suppose it is sick?" "I kin always tell dat; ef it draws
up its legs and kicks, I kno dat sumthin' is de matter, an' I den gib
sum ciderberry juice wid nutmeg grated ober it, an' in no time de
baby cries fer more ob de juice. Sum folks gib dar babies 'Godfrey's
Cordial,' but I dus not blebe in doctors' fisic; nine times out ob ten
dey will kill de baby. I thort dat you war sum kin to Mr. Godfrey dat
made de medicin', and wood ax you 'bout it." "No, aunty, I am no kin
to him."

Being informed that breakfast was ready, Colonel Ridley proposed that
they should return to the house, and that a little of the ciderberry
juice would add much to the enjoyment of the meal, and as everything
was convenient proposed that they should indulge. Col. Godfrey took
some of the juice with honey, as before, and was then ready for
breakfast. Col. Ridley led the way, and on entering found a hot
smoking breakfast. Mrs. Ridley remarked, "Colonel, you are an early
riser I see; I fear you did not rest well last night." "I assure you,
madame," the Colonel gallantly replied, "I could not have been more
comfortable. My business being urgent, it was necessary that I should
rise early." "You do not think of leaving this early?" "Yes, madame;
you know that delays are dangerous. I have spent a very pleasant time,
and hope, not long hence, to make a more extended visit. I was very
much amused this morning at seeing the nurse of the plantation feeding
a baby. It was quite a novel sight to me. The old woman does not
appear to have much confidence in doctors." "No, sir," repl