Tippet, she declares she'd know me for one through a
pair of green spectacles."

So saying, Mr. Clinton sprang to the ground, and being a little taller
than the other two, he familiarly passed an arm over their shoulders as
he stepped between them, and so passed on through the garden gate.

As they trod the neat shell walks, and inhaled the fragrance of the many
blooming flowers, Arthur enthusiastically expressed his delight; and Mr.
Clinton, suddenly drew in a long breath through his nostrils, and
exclaimed, at the same time striking an attitude:--

"Delightful spot! I know not what could e'er draw hence my willing feet,
Unless it be a chance I see, for some kind friend to stand a treat."

"There!" bringing down his right hand, with a hearty whack upon his
knee, "if I haven't been off again into one of my spontaneous bursts of
poetical effusion! Who ever saw that beat?"

"Ha! ha! ha!" roared Charley. "I take the hint; what'll you have;
mint-juleps for three, or three for old Cogniac?"

"Thank you," said Arthur, as he met Charley's inquiring glance. "Nothing
for me. I never indulge."

"Oh, you must have something, if it's nothing more than lemonade with a
stick in it," returned Charley.

"Hurry up your pegs there, Charley!" cried Clinton, at the top of his
voice. "Pratt's getting faint, and wants something to strengthen him!"

This was said in such a good humored hope-I-don't-offend manner, that
Arthur could not repress a smile; and while the smile was on his lips
the drinks arrived, and he received his with a bow. That he considered
it good, was very evident from the manner in which he drank it, an act
which Quirk and Clinton watched narrowly, over the brims of their
glasses.

Arthur experienced no more pangs of conscience that day; neither did he
recall his intended return by the time church was out. After drinking,
his companions used every effort to make themselves agreeable, and
showed him over the extensive grounds, strolled through the shady avenue
on the Levee with him, and then, as the day was warm, declared
themselves thirsty, and proposed that Arthur should treat them.

He eagerly assented, and for the first time in his life marched boldly
into the bar-room, and ordered three strong drinks, all of the same
description.

Then a military company arrived, and the excitement of the drill, the
sound of the martial music, and the fresh uniform of the soldiers,
combined with the noise and bust