Tempest and Sunshine

The gentlemen all promised to do their best, except Frank, who could

promise nothing, because he knew nothing concerning the man they were

going to visit. His curiosity, however, was aroused, and forgetting the

presence of Mr. William Middleton, "Do they keep the old fellow caged? And

must we pay anything for seeing him?"

These questions were greeted by a burst of laughter, and Raymond said,

"No--admittance is free, but you'll be more amused to see him and hear him

talk than you would in visiting Barnum's Museum!"

By this time the carriage had entered the woods, and they came in sight of

the house. Mr. Stafford leaned from the window, and said, "Is it possible

that my brother, with all his wealth, lives in such a heathen place as

this?"

"When you see him," said Raymond, "you'll think the nest just suited the

bird."

They were now in the yard, which was so filled with farming utensils that

the driver found it difficult to effect a passage up to the door. The

gentlemen were about concluding to alight where they were, when Mr.

Middleton was heard calling out, "Ho, thar, driver, don't run agin that ar

ox-cart; turn a leetle to the right, can't ye? Now be keerful and not run

afoul of the plaguey lye leech. I b'lieve the niggers would move the hut,

Josh and all, into the yard, if they could only make a raise!"

Mr. Stafford and Frank looked eagerly out at the speaker, who fully

realized Frank's idea of him. His beard was as long and black as a rapid

growth of three weeks could make it. As Julia had feared, he was dressed

in his favorite bagging pants, which hung loosely, even around his huge

proportions, and looked as if fitted to some of his outbuildings. He was

very warm and he wore neither coat nor vest, while his feet, whose

dimensions we have mentioned before, were minus either shoes or stockings.

He appeared in the doorway buttoning one of his suspenders. The truth was

he had spied the carriage in the distance, and as his linen was none the

cleanest he hastened to change, and was now putting the finishing touch to

his toilet. When he caught sight of the occupants of the carriage he

thought to himself, "Thar's a heap on 'em. Nancy'll have to rout the whole

gang of niggers, field hands and all, to huntin' hin's nests after eggs

enough for dinner."

By this time the gentlemen had alighted, and Mr. Middleton went forward to

receive them. "How d'ye do, how d'ye do?" said he; "I'm mighty glad you've

come. I wish you'd brought the whole city."