It being the custom of the country to breakfast at seven o’clock, and that hour having arrived, a man in a blue smock frock issued from a side door, (Bessie vaulted up the hall as he entered,) and commenced ringing a bell in so loud a manner that I verily thought he would alarm the whole neighborhood.  An opening of doors, and a general movement for the dining room, a long, simply furnished, but exquisitely clean apartment, was now made.  A table covered with linen of snowy whiteness, and set out with great good taste, ranged up the center of the room; and we sat down to a breakfast of steak, and ham, and eggs, and cold chickens, and fish balls, and hot rolls, and corn cakes, and brown bread-all prepared so nice and delicately, that even the most fastidious could have found nothing to grumble at.  Indeed it was said of the the landlord of the “Independent Temperance,” that he spared neither pains nor expense in the management of his house, which had gained much fame over the country, though it had thrice made him a bankrupt with three score of creditors, who were always ready to say wicked things of him.  Some people said if the temperance society would only let him have his way, he would pay, and no thanks to anybody.

Bessie, and two trimly dressed maidens of riper years, waited upon the guests, nor thought the occupation bemeaning.  And so nimble were their movements, and so gentle the manner in which they dispensed their courtesies, that I began to regret my bachelorhood, and to wish all male attendants exiled to Nantucket, where their habitual unclean condition would find a welcome among the whalemen.

I had well nigh dispatched my breakfast, when there arose a loud noise, as of voices in dispute, in the bar-room.  Bessie began to tremble from head to foot, and to turn pale.  “You must give up the pig, or stand the chances-now mind that!” said a voice which I at once recognized as that of the renowned Major Potter.

“Heaven knows I am a man of peace; but you must make good the loss I have suffered.  All this trouble and mischief is done by the audacious brute you have brought into the town.  You go out for good, and always come home bringing the town trouble.  I have warned you of the error of your ways.  But since you take not heed, we shall see what virtue there is in the Squire.”  This was said in a more modified tone of voice.  Bessie said that it was the voice of Elder Boomer.

“You needn’t think you are such a treasure!  The town can get along well enough without you.  By my military reputation, if I don’t think all this ado about the poor pig is a trick to get the advantage of a neighbor you imagine hasn’t got as good a lien upon heaven as yourself.  Now, good man, do you take the safest plan, give the animal up to its owner, and trust to heaven for the price of the chickens, for it is written somewhere, that peace makers, being blessed, should not be peace breakers-”

“To quarrel is not my desire,” interrupted the elder; “for such would not become me, who have no experience in arms; but I enjoin you to give up the life you are living, and so turn your energies to Christ’s truth, that you may become worthy of heaven.”