not homely. Her
features were regular, her hair glossy and brown, and her eyes black and
brilliant, and for their color, the mildest and softest I had ever seen.
Her figure was tall, and in its outline somewhat sharp and angular; but
she had an ease and grace about her that made one forget she was not
molded as softly and roundly as others. She seemed just the woman on
whose bosom a tired, worn, over-burdened man might lay his weary head,
and find rest and forgetfulness.

She wore a neat calico dress, fitting closely to the neck, and an apron
of spotless white muslin. A little lace cap perched cosily on the back
of her head, hiding a portion of her wavy, dark hair, and on her feet--a
miracle, reader, in one of her class--were stockings and shoes! Giving
me her hand--which, at the risk of making her husband jealous, I held
for a moment--she said, making a gentle courtesy:

'Ye ar welcome, stranger.'

'I sincerely thank you, madam; I _am_ a stranger in these parts.'

She tendered me a chair; while her husband opened a sideboard, and
brought forth a box of Havanas and a decanter of Scuppernong. As I took
the proffered seat, he offered me the refreshments. I drank the lady's
health in the wine, but declined the cigars. Seeing this, she remarked:

'Yer from th' North, sir, arn't ye?'

'Yes, madam, I live in New-York; but I was born in New-England.'

'I reckoned so; I knew ye didn't belong in Car'lina.'

'How did you know that, madam?' I asked, laughing.

'I seed ye doan't smoke 'fore wimmin. But ye mustn't mind me; I sort o'
likes it; it's a great comfut to John, and may be it ar to ye.'

'Well, I do relish a good cigar; but I never smoke before any lady
except my wife, and though she's only 'a little lower than the angels,'
she _does_, once in a while, say it's a shame to make the _house_ smell
like a tobacco-factory.'

Barnes handed me the box again, and I took one. As I was lighting it, he
said:

'Ye've got a good 'oman, hev ye?'

'There's none better; at least, I think so.'

'Wal, I'm 'zactly uv thet 'pinion 'bout mine; I wouldn't trade her fur
all this worle an' th' best half uv t'other.'

'Don't ye talk so, John,' said the lady. Then addressing me, she added:
'It's a good husband thet makes a good wife, sir.'

'Sometimes, madam, but not always, I've known some of the best of wives
who had miserable husbands.'

'An' I'm d--d ef _I_ made my wife th' 'oman she ar',' said the
corn-cracker.

'Hush, Jo