Mrs Barnum still continued to keep the village hotel at Bethel, and Phineas went home every Saturday night, going to church with his mother on Sunday, and returning to his work Monday morning. One Saturday evening Miss Mary Wheeler, at whose house the young man boarded, sent him word that she had a young lady from Bethel whom she desired him to escort home, as it was raining violently, and the maiden was afraid to go alone. He assented readily enough, and went over to "Aunt Rushia's," where he was introduced to Miss Charity ("Chairy," for short) Hallett. She was a very pretty girl and a bright talker, and the way home seemed only too short to her escort. She was a tailoress in the village, and went to church regularly, but, although Phineas saw her every Sunday for many weeks, he had no opportunity of the acquaintance that season. Mrs. Jerusha Wheeler and her daughter Jerusha were familiarly known, the one as "Aunt Rushia," and the other as "Rushia." Many of the store customers were hatters, and among the many kinds of furs sold for the nap of hats was one known to the trade as "Russia." One day a hatter, Walter Dibble, called to buy some furs. Barnum sold him several kinds, including "beaver" and "cony," and he then asked for some "Russia." They had none, and as Barnum wanted to play a joke upon him, he told him that Mrs. Wheeler had several hundred pounds of "Rushia." "What on earth is a woman doing with 'Russia?' " said he. Barnum could not answer, but assured him that there were one hundred and thirty pounds of old Rushia and one hundred and fifty pounds of young Rushia in Mrs. Wheeler's house, and under her charge, but whether or not it was for sale he could not say. Off he started to make the purchase and knocked at the door. Mrs. Wheeler, the elder, made her appearance. "I want to get your Russia," said the hatter. Mrs. Wheeler asked him to walk in and be seated. She, of course, supposed that he had come for her daughter "Rushia." "What do you want of Rushia?" asked the old lady. "To make hats," was the reply. "To trim hats, I suppose you mean?" responded Mrs. Wheeler. "No, for the outside of hats," replied the hatter. "Well, I don't know much about hats," said the old lady, "but I will call my daughter." Passing into another room where "Rushia" the younger was at work, she informed her that a man wanted her to make hats. "Oh, he means sister Mary, probably. I suppose he wants some ladies' hats," replied Rushia, as she went into the parlor. "This is my daughter," said the old lady. "I want to get your Russia," said he, addressing the young lady. "I suppose you wish to see my sister Mary; she is our milliner," said young Rushia. "I wish to see whoever owns the property," said the hatter. Sister Mary was sent for, and, as she was introduced, the hatter informed her that he wished to buy her "Russia." "Buy Rushia!" exclaimed Mary, in surprise; I don't understand you."