istant hill-top,
where the four weary, jaded horses were now visible. It was the
driver's usual custom to blow his horn from the moment he appeared on
the hill, until with a grand flourish he reined his panting steeds
before the door of the inn. But this time there was one sharp, shrill
sound, and then all was still, the omission eliciting several remarks
not very complimentary to the weather, which was probably the cause of
"Jerry's" unwonted silence. Very slowly the vehicle came on, the
horses never leaving a walk, and the idler of fifteen years' standing,
who for a time had suspended his whittling, "wondered what was to pay."

A nearer approach revealed three or four male passengers, all occupied
with a young lady, who, on the back seat, was carefully supported by
one of her companions.

"A sick gal, I guess. Wonder if the disease is catchin'?" said the
whittler, standing back several paces and looking over the heads of the
others, who crowded forward as the stage came up. The loud greeting of
the noisy group was answered by Jerry with a low "sh--sh," as he
pointed significantly at the slight form which two of the gentlemen
were lifting from the coach, asking at the same time if there were a
physician near.

"What's the matter on her? Hain't got the cholery, has she," said the
landlord, who, having hallooed to his wife to "fetch up her vittles,"
now appeared on the piazza ready to welcome his guests.

At the first mention of cholera, the fifteen years' man vamosed,
retreating across the road, and seating himself on the fence under the
shadow of the locust trees.

"Who is she, Jerry?" asked the younger of the set, gazing curiously
upon the white, beautiful face of the stranger, who had been laid upon
the lounge in the common sitting-room.

"Lord only knows," said Jerry, wiping the heavy drops of sweat from his
good-humored face; "I found her at the hotel in Livony. She came there
in the cars, and said she wanted to go over to 'tother railroad. She
was so weak that I had to lift her into the stage as I would a baby,
and she ain't much heavier. You orto seen how sweet she smiled when
she thanked me, and asked me not to drive very fast, it made her head
ache so. Zounds, I wouldn't of trotted the horses if I'd never got
here. Jest after we started she fainted, and she's been kinder talkin'
strange like ever since. Some of the gentlemen thought I'd better
leave her back a piece at Brown's tavern, but I w