morning succeeded. The hills stood out in sharp, clear outlines, mother
earth had put on her cleanest cap, and there was not a ripple on all the
Tappan Zee. Hanz Toodleburg was now the happiest man in Nyack, for
Heaven had blessed his house and heart during the morning with as plump
and healthy a boy as ever was seen. There was a fond mother and a happy
father in the little house now; and the sweet innocent babe, their first
born, was like flowers strewn along their road of life. It was something
to live for, something to hope for, something to brighten their hopes of
the future, and to sweeten their love-dream.

In spite of the snow drifts, news of this important event ran from one
end to the other of the settlement before the sun was an hour up, and
set it all aglow. The roadmaster was early at the door to warn Hanz out
to break roads, but excused him when he heard how happy a man he had
been made during the night. And when the merry men came along with their
oxen, and their sledges, and their drag-logs, ploughing through and
tossing the snow aside, and making a way for the traveller, there were
cheers given for honest Hanz and the little gentleman who had just come
to town. And as they ploughed along through the drifts, they struck up a
merry song, which so excited Hanz's emotions that he could not resist
the temptation to put on his coat and follow them. And when they reached
Titus Bright's inn that ruddy-faced host met them at the door and bade
them welcome under his roof, and invited them to drink flip at his
expense. Hanz was treated and complimented in steaming mugs, and the
health and happiness of mother and son were not forgotten. Even the
Dominie was sent for, and made to drink flip and tell a story, which he
did with infinite good humor. Then the school-master, who was not to be
behind any of them when there was flip in the wind, looked in to pay his
compliments to Hanz, for the snow had closed up his little school-house
for the day. But, in truth, the pedagogue had a weakness he could not