, and, filling the little Dutch
mug to the brim with rich brown cider, offered it to his uncle, with a
forward duck of the head and a backward jerk of the heel, which he, no
doubt, intended for a genteel bow. Uncle Juvinell took it; but set it
again, with an absent air, untasted on the table. Then, drawing his
spectacles down from his forehead, he again perused the letter he held
in his hand, with earnest attention, the shadow on his brow deepening
as he read.

When he had finished, he laid it on the table, and finally broke the
long silence; his first words falling like ice-water on the ears of
the little folks.

"Sad news for you, my dear children; sad news for us all! I have just
received a letter from my old friend and kinsman, Peter Parley, of
whom you have all heard so much, and to whom, for the many delightful
books he has written, the younger generations of America are more
indebted than perhaps to any man now living. In his letter he tells
me, that, owing to his declining health, and increasing years, he has
ceased his literary labors altogether, and betaken himself to New
Orleans, in whose milder climate he hopes he may, in some measure,
recruit his failing powers. What he says in addition to this I will
give you in his own words:--

"The effects of that unlucky fall on the ice, while crossing
Boston Common, so many years ago, I have felt in my right hip,
to a greater or less degree, ever since; and within the past
year my lameness has so much increased as to have become a
matter of much anxiety to my friends, and some uneasiness to
myself. Taking this in connection with the growing infirmities
of age, I sometimes have a foreboding that I shall never return
to Boston alive.

"Under this impression, I now write you, my Cousin Juvinell,
entreating you, as my nearest living kinsman and much-beloved
friend, to come and see me at this place, and sojourn here with
me, until, in the wisdom of a kind Providence, it be determined
whether my span of life is to be shortened or lengthened yet a
little more. It will be a comfort to me to have you by my side
at the closing scene; and it may be that your cheerful presence
and sunny humor will do more to revive me than I can hope for
even from this mild, pleasant Louisiana air.

"I know that your compliance with my request will for a season
prove a serious interruption to the