"Well, away, Tiff! take this out," indicating a long, rusty piece of stove-pipe.
"Lay this in the house; and here!" handing a cast-iron stove-door, with the latch broken.
"Law, Massa, what on earth is the use of dis yer?"
"Don't ask questions, Tiff; work away. Help me out with these boxes."
"What on arth now?" said Tiff to himself, as one rough case after another was disgorged from the vehicle, and landed in the small cabin. This being done, and orders being given to Tiff to look after the horse and equipage, the man walked into the house, with a jolly, slashing air.
"Hallo, bub!" said he, lifting the two-year-old above his head. "Hallo, Fan!" imprinting a kiss on the cheek of his girl. "Hallo, Sis!" coming up to the bed where the invalid lay, and stooping down over her. Her weak, wasted arms were thrown around his neck, and she said, with sudden animation,
"Oh, you've come at last! I thought I should die without seeing you!"
"Oh, you an't a-going to die, Sis! Why, what talk!" said he, chucking her under the chin. "Why, your cheeks are as red as roses!"
"Pa, see the baby!" said little Teddy, who, having climbed over the bed, opened the flannel bundle.