| OCR Text |
Show 370 Early Western Travels [ Vol. 26 described, as, aroused from sleep, his eye met the vision of his stranger guest; While the comic amalgamation of distress and pique in the marvellously elongated features of the fair hostess was so truly laughable, that a smile flitted along the traveller's rebellious muscles, serving completely to disturb the serenity of her breast! The good lady was evidently not a little nettled at the apparent mirth-fulness of her guest under his manifold miseries - I do assure thee, reader, the mirthfulness was only apparent - and did not neglect occasion thereupon to let slip a Ay remark impugning his " gentle breeding," because, forsooth, dame Nature, in throwing together her " cunning workmanship," had gifted it with a [ 126] nervous system not quite of steel. Meanwhile, the honest publican, agreeable to orders, having brought forth the horse, with folded hands all meekly listened to the eloquence of his spouse; but the good man was meditating the while a retaliation in shape of a most unconscionable bill of cost, which was soon presented and was as soon discharged. Then, leaving the interesting pair to their own cogitations, with the very top of the morning the traveller flung himself upon his horse and was soon out of sight. Kaskaskia, IU. |
