“Major! is it you?  Well, there ain’t nobody more welcome in this hotel!” exclaimed a small, frisky figure, rushing through the crowd, and seizing him earnestly by the hand.

“Me?” replied the major, returning his salutation with equal warmth of manner, “Well, I reckon it is! you think of me in my absence, I see, colonel.  Well, there is no roof Major Roger Sherman Potter feels so much at ease under as this.”  Here the landlord, whose name was Zach Aldrich, to which was added the title of Colonel, as a mark of distinction, for having commanded with great gallantry the Barnstable Invincibles.  The host was fond of a joke, and after giving his guest a cordial welcome, bid him hasten into the parlor, where the hostess, who had long held him in great esteem, was rubbing her palms to see him.  Impatient to pay his respects to so good a lady, he trudged up the hall, and turning to the right, entered the parlor, in which were seated some seven females, to the great delight of numerous bystanders, whom the major congratulated himself were laughing for joy at his return.  He had scarcely disappeared, however, when a loud shriek was heard, and one after another the females came scampering out of the room, so sorry a figure did he cut.  “Zounds, me,” exclaimed the major, “what can have come over the witches?” and he followed them into the hall, surprised and astonished, while the compact little figure of mine host was seen almost splitting his sides with laughter.  Indeed, I venture to say without fear of contradiction, that never did military hero cut so extravagant a figure before females; and as he had that scrupulous regard for their good opinion, so common with his brethren in arms, so was he only saved from swooning by the aid of a little whiskey and water.  This, however, was not applied until the cause of the alarm was discovered.  “Upon my life, Colonel,” said the major, as the host aided him in securing his garments with a few pins, “I never was known to offer a discourtesy to ladies through the whole course of my eventful life.  No, I wouldn’t, by my military reputation, I wouldn’t have had such a thing occur to me, especially as my friend here is the most distinguished politician in this part of the country.”  I could not restrain a blush at this naive remark, and begging that he would reserve his compliments for one more worthy of them, he continued by pleading with the host, and enjoining him to say to the ladies, that never in his life had he met with so serious an accident, and as it was woman’s nature to be gentle and forgiving, he hoped they would forgive him this once, “and I shall not be so rude and ungrateful as to soon forget their generosity,” he concluded.  Having mended his garments thus summarily, mine host led the way into the bar room, in one corner of which was a square, mahogany counter, upon which stood a tin drain containing a jug of water, and several empty tumblers.  An open stove stood opposite the counter; and in it were massive dog-irons