A Modern Instance

ork. "I could see 'em eyin' you over when they first came in, and I could see that they didn't exactly like the looks of 'em. It would wear off in tim

traditions, though he had some advantages of training. But his two-button cutaway, his well-fitting trousers, his scarf with a pin in it, had been too much for these young fellows in their long 'stoga boots an

d not displease him; he had none of the pain with which Kinney, who had

and lay down, and lazily watched Kinney about his work. Presently he saw Kinney seated on a block of wood beside the stove, with his elbow propped in one hand, and holding a magazine, out of which he was read

ey. I haven't been taken such good care of s

a glance at the clock, and ignori

should think so. I've dreamt a perfect New American

with the suggestive character of his cook

nd over his face. "I suppose," he said, "if I'm going to write a

n see all there is in an hour. But I presume you'll want to see it so as to ring in some description, hey? We

u post me with a lot of facts,-queer characters, accidents, romantic incidents, snowings-up, threatened starvation, adventures with wild animals,-and I can make somet

wish I could write! Well, I did use to scribble once for an agricultural paper; but I don't call that wri

"That's first-rate. That'll do for the first line in

ation, and personal experience. Bartley followed him with his pencil, jotting down points, striking in sub-head lines, and now and then interrupting him with cries of "Good!" "Capit

eigh-bells. But I guess it wa'n't. Well, sir, as I was sayin', they fetched th

ich he opened, letting in a clear block of the afternoon sunshine, and a gush of

ds-right on us. I don't know who they be, or where they're from. But I know where I wish they was. Well, of course, it's natural they should want to see a log

y seemed resolved to observe the decorum of

, as the bells hushed before the door, and broke into

th a party of friends. You just stay still," he added; and he paid himself the deference which every true American owes himself in his dealings with his employe

ice saluted him with a roar of laughter. "W

more to kill me than you suppose." But now he ste

in and have a look at it now"; and with much outcry and laughter the ladies were inv

lf-possessed, with his thumbs in his waistcoat pockets and hi

hese are my daughters; this is Mrs. Macallister, of Montreal; Mrs. Witherby, of Boston; Miss Witherby, and Mr. Witherby. You ought to know

large, solemn man, with a purse-mouth and tight rings of white hair, who treated him

, in a long ulster and a sealskin cap, tiddled farcically forward on his

f warm color, in ribbon and scarf, flashed out here and there; when she flung open her sack, she showed herself much more lavishly buttoned and bugled and bangled than the Americans. She sat clown on the movable bench which Bartley had vacated, and crossed her feet, very small and saucy, even in their arctics, on a stick of fire-wood, and cast up her neat profile, and rapidly made eyes at e

clumsiness of American middle-age when summoned to say something gallant.

the beauty. "There he comes now! I'm really in love with him, you k

tley laughed finally, and ventured, "

, I have fallen in love with your camp, d' ye know?" she added, as Kinney dr

hed at this proposition, "you couldn't do

ngements of the interior; the other ladies went with him, conversing, in low tone

ain things to us," said Mr.

do, Mr. Willett, make him explain everything! I've be

terior. "I can't let you away from me, Mr. Hubbard; your friend's so satirical, I'm afraid of him. Only fancy, Mr. Wi

sited to see the men felling the trees, by inviting him to a seat at her side in the sleigh; this crowded the others, but she insisted, and they all gave way, as people must, to the caprices of a pretty woman. Her coquetries united British wilfulness to American nonchalance, and seemed to have been graduated to the appreciation of garrison and St. Lawrence River steamboat and watering-place society. The Willett ladies had already found it necessary to explain to the Witherby ladies that they had met her the summer before at the sea-side, and that she had stopped at Portland on her way to England; they did not know her very well, but some friends of theirs did; and their father had asked her to come with them

ted it as far as hot mince-pie and newly fried doughnuts would go. He also opened a few canned goods, as he called some very exclusive sardines and peaches, and he made an entirely fresh pot of tea, and a pan of soda-biscuit. Mr

hut, she called out to Kinney, "Oh, do tell them to smoke: we shall not mi

-dancer among them; but he's a little stuck up, and I don't

the lady. "Then the only thing is f

histle like a whole band," answered Kinney, w

ks? Is that what yo

uite the thing to do,"

e thing to do! Whic

h a smile that showed all his white teeth, and turned to one of his comrades; then the two rose, and got violins out of the bunks, and cam

feet yet, Mr. Kinney," said Mrs. Macal

on the great rivers and in the vast forests of the North, and in these blithe barcaroles and hunting-songs breathes the joyous spirit of a France that knows neither doubt nor care,-France untouched by Revolution or Napoleonic wars; some of the airs s

sing and stamping impatiently with her

ung ladies' hands in the dance; their temper was infectious, and the cotillon was in full life before their partners had time to wonder at their consent. Mrs. Macallister could sing some of the Canadian song

idling stiffly like a girl, and struck into the laborious and monotonous jig which is, perhaps, our national dance. He was exquisitely shaped, and as he danced he suppled more and more, while the whistler warbled a wilder and swifter strain, and kept time with his hands. There was somet

if I were in the Canadi

say anything of that sort

g, Mr. Hubbard!" Bartley looked up in surprise at this interpretation of his tacit

amous with his class. He borrowed the violin of a Kanuck, and, sitting down, strummed upon it banjo-wise. The song was one of those which is partly spoken and acted; he really did it

them, I assure you. I hope you won't leave off that regard for the brain in your cooking. Good by!" She waved her hand to the Americans, and then to the Kanucks, as she passed out between their respectfully parted ranks. "Adieu, messieurs!" She merely nodded to Bartley; the others parted from him coldly, as he fancied, and it seemed to him that he had bee