Hanford made every arrangement for
their comfort, of which the state of the case would admit. The
cushions and buffalos at length fixed to his satisfaction he assisted
in his wife, and after a small strife, in which each contended for the
seat which neither wanted, Edward prevailed, and planted himself
beside the driver, while Mr. Hanford, looking remarkably happy for a
vanquished man, took his place beside his wife.

The sober driver, Jacob Mentor by name, looked over his shoulder and
carefully surveyed his load before starting. The trunks were firmly
strapped on behind, and a half a dozen chairs were also disposed of in
the same way. A small sized dining table, bed downward, rested behind
the seats, so hugged up by boxes and bundles, that it appeared
impossible for any number of bumps or thumps to disturb its quiet. The
two beaming faces, just in the van of all this array, did not escape
the eyes of honest Jacob.

"I guess yer pretty comfortable to start on," said he.

"All right," said Mr. Hanford, "drive on."

It would be a matter of surprise how it had entered into the head of a
plain, common-sense, matter-of-fact young man like John Hanford, to
bestow the name of "Fairy Knoll" on the little hillock in the
wilderness, where stood his solitary cabin, did we not remember that
at the time he was completely under love's influence. The name given
under such circumstances was music to him as it fell frequently from
the lips of his young bride on their toilsome journey thither.

"I hope the fairies at Fairy Knoll will have a nice fire to welcome
us, she said, as the day was drawing to a close, and they were nearing
her future home.

"Are you very cold?" said her husband, drawing her more closely to his
side.

The day had been unusually chilly, and towards night the autumn winds
got up a boisterous frolic, and swept past, dashing from their wings
light flurries of snow directly in the faces of our travelers, and
the delicate bride, unused to such rough play, had at last hid her
face behind her veil and wished for the warm fireside. Before she had
had time to reply to Mr. Hanford's question, Edward produced a neat
little flask encased in silver, and unfastening from the stopper a
tiny cup of the same make, he filled it with the sparkling fluid, at
the same time giving orders for the wagon to stop.

"Now here is something almost equal to a warm fire," he said offering
Mrs. Hanford the cup.

"What is it?" said she