That's jist about quarter of a mile from where Dutton used to live.

Dan's wife can tell ye all about the Duttons, an' about everybody else, too, in this part o' the country, and if there aint nobody livin' at the old tavern, ye can stay all night at Carson's, and I'll stop an' take you back, to-morrow, when I come along." We agreed to this plan, for there was nothing better to be done, and, late in the afternoon, we were set down with our small trunk--for we were traveling under light weight--at Dan Carson's door.

The stage was rather behind time, and the driver whipped up and left us to settle our own affairs.

He called back, however, that he would keep a good lookout for us to-morrow.
Mrs.Carson soon made her appearance, and, very naturally, was somewhat surprised to see visitors with their baggage standing on her little porch.

She was a plain, coarsely dressed woman, with an apron full of chips and kindling wood, and a fine mind for detail, as we soon discovered.
"Jist so," said she, putting down the chips, and inviting us to seats on a bench.