er mind me," replied Tony, as he led the horses off, "I have tended
Captain Butler's hos afore this, and he wan't never onsatisfied with
me."

These cares being disposed of, Horse Shoe returned to the parlor. The
tidy display of some plain furniture, and the scrupulous attention to
cleanliness in every part of the room, afforded an intelligent
commentary upon the exact, orderly and decent character of the Widow
Dimock. The dame herself was a pattern of useful thrift. Her short
figure, as she now bustled to and fro, through the apartment, was
arrayed in that respectable, motherly costume which befitted her years;
and which was proper to the period of my story, when the luxury of dress
was more expensive than at present, and when a correspondent degree of
care was used to preserve it in repair. Evidences of this laudable
economy were seen in the neatness with which a ruffle was darned, or a
weak point fortified by a nicely adjusted patch, presenting, in some
respect, a token both of the commendable pride of the wearer, and of the
straitness of the national means, since the prevalence of war for five
years had not only reduced the wealth of individuals and rendered
frugality indispensable, but had, also, literally deprived the country
of its necessary supply of commodities; thus putting the opulent and the
needy, to a certain extent, upon the same footing. On the present
occasion, our good landlady was arrayed in a gown of sober-colored
chintz, gathered into plaits in the skirt, whilst the body fitted
closely over a pair of long-waisted stays, having tight sleeves that
reached to the elbow. The stature of the dame was increased a full inch
by a pair of high-heeled, parti-colored shoes, remarkable for their
sharp toes; and a frilled muslin cap, with lappets that reached under
the chin, towered sufficiently high to contribute, also, something
considerable to the elevation of the tripping little figure of its
wearer.

In such guise did Mistress Dimock appear, as she busied herself in
preparing needful refreshment for the travellers; and for some time the
house exhibited all that stir which belongs to this important care when
despatched in a retired country inn.

By degrees, the table began to show the bounties of the kitchen. A
savory dish of fried bacon, the fumes of which had been, for a quarter
of an hour, gently stimulating the appetite of the guests, now made its
appearance, in company with a pair of broiled pullets;