"Now let me see the rooms," said Mr. North. "I suppose my man may as well carry the traps up stairs now--the place is certain to suit me." Caleb looked at the stylish colored individual who was leaning, in a graceful attitude, over the luggage, and a brilliant idea struck him. "I say you," he called, "I've got a ticket that'll just suit you, Mr.----What's your name?" "If you are redressing me," replied the sable gentleman, majestically, "my name is Mr. Julius Hannibal." "Want to know!" said Caleb. "Wal, here's an invite that was just meant for a fine-looking chap like you." Caleb drew one of the notes from his pocket, and held it out. Hannibal took it with considerable dignity, doubtful how to receive such unceremonious compliments. "You are in luck, Ju," said his master. "What's it all about, Mr. Benson?" "Why, Mr. Mellen--he's one of our rich men down here--is going to be married this week, so his servants thought they'd have a blow-out to-night, for fear they wouldn't get the chance after the new mistress comes." "Go, by all means," said North, almost eagerly. "Make all the friends you can, Ju, for we shall be here a good deal--go, certainly." Hannibal drew himself up, bowed to his master, and said to Caleb in a stately way---- "I shall be most happy to mixture in the festive throng, but would most 'spectfully state to Miss Clorindy that morocur pumps is banished from polite society, and only patting leathers is worn--but these is trifles." North took the note from his servant's hand, and could not repress his merriment as he read it; but Caleb received that as a compliment, and looked so conscious, that it was easy to discover what share he had taken in the matter. "Pinnacles of ice cream, and a dance in the landing," read Mr. North. "Why choose the landing, Mr. Benson?" "Laundry, laundry! I guess it's blotted a leetle." "Oh yes--I see! Upon my word, quite magnificent! So Mr.--Mellen, did you call him?--is to be married this week. Well, well, that fate overtakes most of us, sooner or later. We will go up stairs now, if you please, Mr. Benson." The old man led the way up to the room, which was kept in readiness for visitors of importance, and which had been made quite comfortable by the various articles of furniture that the different occupants had presented to Caleb, on leaving his house. The bargain was not a difficult one, as Mr. North appeared quite willing to pay Benson his own price, and the old fellow was only in doubt as to the extent to which he might safely carry his extortion. When they went down stairs again, the steamboat had just come in to the landing, and Dolf, Mr. Mellen's man, was making his way to the tavern, having come to the island to see that the house was in readiness, and dazzle the eyes of the females by the wonderful new clothes which had fallen to his share of the wedding perquisites.