comport ourselves
properly; I have travelled much in all kinds of public conveyances, and
never yet have been improperly addressed. Did you ever have an adventure
of the sort'?

'Once only,' replied Aunt Sarah, 'and then the fault was my own. I was
young and giddy; Cousin Nancy was with me, and we were in a rail-car. In
a near seat sat a very good-looking young man; Nancy looked toward him
once or twice and, meeting his eye, began to giggle: I foolishly joined
her; thus encouraged, our young gentleman opened a conversation. Nancy
laughed immoderately; but I, being a few years older, soon controlled my
silly giggling; and by the tone of my reply speedily silenced our
would-be admirer. He turned his back upon us, and, so far as I know, in
less than five minutes had forgotten our very existence.'

'Decidedly a case in our favor! And if the boat should blow up, or the
car roll down an embankment, in what would we be benefited by the fact
of having an escort also to be scalded or have his head broken?'

'Ye maun even then gang your ain gait. I wish you a pleasant journey and
a safe return.'

'Thank you, auntie, and you will not call us strong minded?'

'Certainly not, unless I find you merit the appellation.'

The little trunk was soon packed, and one fine July morning the two
travellers set off in search of the beautiful lake, whose name is not to
be found in the guide books. They knew it was to be looked for in a
sharp and peculiar dent in the Shawangunk mountain, which dent, so far
as they could judge from the hills near their dwelling on the northern
slope of the Highlands, must be nearly opposite Poughkeepsie. Neither
map nor gazetteer could they procure; the neighbors could give them no
information, and they were forced to proceed with only the
above-mentioned meagre stock of knowledge.

The first stage was of five miles, in a carriage to Newburg, where they
took the day boat for Albany. Our novices felt more or less anxiety
regarding the fidelity of the porter intrusted with their two small
articles of baggage; but said articles appearing somewhat late, though
still in season, and being duly marked for Poughkeepsie, the first
question asked was as to the existence of such a place as New Paltz
Landing, opposite the above-named city, and the facilities for crossing
the river. None of those in authority knew certainly of a ferry, but
supposed it highly probable. The wharf at Poughkeepsie was suggested as
a prope