Take off your overcoat and wrappings." "Thank you, madam," he replied. "Colonel," said Col, Ridley, "to use a commonplace expression, which is, 'talk about the devil and his imp will appear,' we had just been wondering who the rider could be. One said that he was a preacher; another that he was a book agent. Old Aunt Barbara, the plantation nurse, said that he was a doctor coming to sell some of Godfrey's Cordial for the children. And I see I first discovered that it was you. I am rather disposed to think that you feel bad. I have some of the same Cider Berry Juice, and as everything is ready you will, without any further ceremony, walk up and take a little for the stomach's sake." "Thank you," said Col. G. "Since travelling over the county of Southampton I have had frequent occasions to try the juice. It is prepared and kept by most of the farmers, and the use of it acts like a charm." "If you would like to arrange your toilet, the boy will show you to your room. In the meantime I will see to having your horse properly cared for." The boy was the same that waited on Col. G. before, and was the son of the nurse of the plantation. "Well, Buck, how is your mammy now? How much Black Jack and Taters has she given you since I left?" "He, he, he," giggled the boy. "I tell you what it is, boss, mammy wars me out mos every day, but she gibs me plenty taters an' I doan mine it." "Is Mrs. Bradly here?" "No sir. She did not stay here long arter marster gib her de papers dat you lef, an' I spec when she cum back she will hab lots o' money." "She will, no doubt, as she will only have to present the papers. I should like very much to see her. Is she handsome?" "I doan no what dat is, sar." "I mean is she pretty?" "Yas, sar, dat she is. It is gin out dat she is de puttiest 'oman in dis settlement, and I git so tired taking horses ob gemmen dat cum to see her." "Then I expect she is bethrothed." "I doan no 'bout dat, but she ses dat de rite gemman hab not cum yit." "I must go down now, the Colonel may be waiting for me. Here is a dollar for you. Be sure to come to my room to-night." "Yas, sar, I will be dar sure." He had finished his toilet and proceeded down stairs. He was met by Col. R., who said: "Colonel, you will find a happy household. Your return has put a new phase on everything. The old nurse is perfectly happy since she found out that you are no negro buyer, and that you did not come to sell Godfrey's Cordial." "The old woman must be averse to doctors. She no doubt is right, as nine times out of ten, but very few of them know what they are doing." "Thinking that you had not dined, Mrs. R. has prepared something for you. Try a little more of the Cider Berry Juice and honey. You will feel better prepared to enjoy what the madam has set before you." "I assure you, Col. R., that since travelling in this county I have become particularly fond of the juice. I have called at several places where