influence over him was more firmly established each day and hour.

Old Phillis, Mabel's nurse and the doctress of the
plantation--albeit a less zealous devotee than her master had
intimated of the potent beverages left within her reach, ostensibly
for the use of her patient should he revive sufficiently to swallow
a few drops--was yet too drowsy from the fatigues of the day,
sundry cups of Christmas egg-nogg, and the obesity of age, to
maintain alert vigil over one she, in common with her
fellow-servitors, scorned as an aggravated specimen of the always
and ever-to-be despicable genus, "poor white folks." There was next
to nothing for her to do when the fire had been replenished, the
bottles of hot water renewed at the feet and heart, and fresh
mustard draughts wound about the almost pulseless limbs of the dying
stranger. She did contrive to keep Somnus at arm's length for a
while longer, by a minute examination of his upper clothing, which,
by Dr. Ritchie's directions, had been removed, that the remedies
might be more conveniently applied, and the heated blankets the
sooner infuse a vital glow through the storm-beaten frame. The
ancient crone took them up with the tips of her fingers--ragged
coat, vest, and pantaloons--rummaged in the same contemptuous
fashion every pocket, and kicked over the worn, soaked boots with
the toe of her leather brogan, sniffing her disappointment at the
worthlessness of the habiliments and the result of her search.

"Fit fur nothin' but to bury his poor carcuss in!" she grunted, and
had recourse to her own plethoric pocket for a clay pipe and a bag
of tobacco.

This lighted by a coal from the hearth, she tied a second