red
locality, it was decided to make some change in Robert's apparel. The
constable therefore very kindly offered him a suit of his clothing,
which as the two men were nearly of the same size, and the articles
slightly worn, answered the purpose admirably, and in a few moments
Robert was transformed into a good-looking countryman, who was enjoying
a short holiday after the labors of harvesting, which were now over.

In company with Mr. Bascom, the constable, Robert sauntered into the
village. It was a beautiful morning; the air was delightfully fresh and
cool, and the rays of the sun danced and glistened upon the dew-drops
which sparkled upon every tree and flower. The feathered songsters
filled the air with their sweet melodies, and nature with all its
gladsome beauty was spread before him. Such a feeling of rest and
thorough enjoyment came over him, that it was with an effort, he was
able to shake off the pleasures of the hour, and bring himself to the
disagreeable business in hand. After a short walk they approached the
general store of the little village, which was the lounging-place of
all the farmers for miles around. When they arrived they found a motley
gathering assembled to witness the great event of the day in this town,
the departure of the stage-coach, and Robert was speedily introduced as
a relative of Mr. Bascom, who had came to McDonald to spend a few days.

The mail coach was an important institution in McDonald, and was
regarded as the great medium of communication between that place and the
great world outside. Every morning at precisely the same hour the coach
departed, and every evening with the same regard for punctuality the old
time-worn vehicle rolled up before the platform in front of the store,
to the intense delight and admiration of the assembled crowd.

For nearly forty years had this identical old coach performed this
journey, and the same old driver had drawn the reins and cracked his
whip over the flanks--I was about to say, of the same old horses. This,
however, could not have been so, although the sleepy-looking, antiquated
animals that were now attached to the lumbering old yellow coach,
looked as if they might have done duty for fully that length of time.

Two young men were already seated in the stage, and their luggage was
securely stowed away in the boot. The postmaster--the village
storekeeper filled that responsible position--was busily engaged in
making up the mail, and old