phraseology and in Caleb's largest hand. As it was an affair of
importance, he put capitals at the beginning of nearly every word,
sometimes in the middle and altogether the writing made such a show,
that Clorinda was delighted.

"Don't forget de P. S.," said she.

"Yes," said Caleb, making a tremendous flourish. "P. S.--Yaller gloves
and 'rocur pumps, if convenient."

Clo inspected the first note as carefully as if she could read,
expressed her approbation, and urged him on, till, with much labor,
Caleb completed the requisite number, put them safely in their gorgeous
envelopes, and directed them to the persons Clorinda mentioned.

"Now, jis be as quick as you kin," she said; "I'se got to go back to see
to tings--can't trust dat Vic, no how! Wal, I guess Mr. Dolf'll see de
difference 'tween folks and folks."

Benson knew that Dolf, Mr. Mellen's own man, was a special weakness of
Clorinda's, though it was only her reputation for accumulated wages
which induced that dashing yellow individual to treat her with any
attention.

Caleb received his last instructions, and started on his mission, which
was successfully fulfilled. Then he took his way homeward after going
back to the house to acquaint Clorinda with the result, which was equal
to her expectations, and that was saying a great deal.

As he approached the little tavern, he saw a gentleman standing on the
steps, with a colored servant guarding a pile of guns, fishing-rods, and
other tackle, with which idle men frequently came down from the city to
endure Caleb's humble fare for a while, and gratify their masculine
propensity for destruction.

But this gentleman was a stranger to Caleb, and he looked at him
enviously, though with the approbation which his appearance would have
elicited from more refined judges.

"I suppose you are Caleb Benson," the gentleman said, throwing away the
end of a cigar, as the old man mounted the steps.

"Wal, they call me so, sometimes," replied Caleb; for the instincts of
his New England birthplace had not deserted him, and he never answered a
question in a straightforward manner, if he could help it.

"Some friends of mine told me I could find very comfortable quarters
with you," pursued the stranger. "I have run down to see the place, and
take a day's duck shooting. I want to engage rooms, and leave my traps
here, so that I can come over whenever I feel like it."

"I want to know,--mean to have a good long shute do you!"