the rocks with Pilgrim's cargo, rather glad that there was no more of
it, when our first camp-bore appeared--a middling-sized man, florid
as to complexion, with a mustache and goatee, and in a suit of seedy
black, surmounted by a crushed-in Derby hat; and, after the fashion of
the country, giving evidence, on his collarless white shirt, of a free
use of chewing tobacco. I have seldom met a fellow with better staying
qualities. He was a strawberry grower, he said, and having been into
Newport, a half dozen miles up river, was walking to his home, which
was a mile or two off in the hills. Would we object if, for a few
moments, he tarried here by the roadside? and perhaps we could
accommodate him with a drink of water? Patiently did he watch the
preparation of dinner, and spice each dish with commendations of
W----'s skill at making the most of her few utensils.

Right glibly he chattered on; now about the decadence of womankind;
now about strawberry-growing upon these Ohio hills--with the crop just
coming on, and berries selling at a shilling to-day, in Marietta, when
they ought to be worth twenty cents; now on politics, and of course
he was a Populist; now on the hard times, and did we believe in free
silver? He would take no bite with us, but sat and talked and talked,
despite plain hints, growing plainer with the progress of time, that
his family needed him at nightfall. Dinner was eaten, and dishes
washed; the others left on a botanical round-up, and I produced my
writing materials, with remarks upon the lateness of the hour. At last
our guest arose, shook the grass from his clothes, with a shake of
hands bade me good-night, wishing me to convey his "good-bye" to the
rest of our party, and as politely as possible expressed the great
pleasure which the visit had given him.

Some farmer boys came down the hillside to fish at the bank, and
talked pleasantly of their work and of the ever-changing phases of
the river. Other farmers passed our roadside door, in wagons, on
buckboards, by horseback, and on foot; in neighborly tone, but with
ill-disguised curiosity in their eyes, wishing me good evening. When
the long twilight was almost gone, and the moon an hour high over the
purple dusk of the West Virginia hills, the botanists returned,
aglow with their exercise, and rich with trophies of blue and dwarf
larkspur, pink and white stone-crop, trailing arbutus, and great
laurel.

And then, as we were preparing to retire, a