"True as gospel!" ejaculated Uncle Nathan, fervently.
"Have you been here long?"
"Only about ten days; but I have seen more iniquity in that time than I supposed the whole airth contained."
Henry smiled at the fervid utterance of his companion.
"You are from the North, I perceive," said he.
"Yes, sir, I am from Brookville, State of Massachusetts, which, thank the Lord, is a long way from New Orleans!"
"Still, there are some excellent people here," suggested Henry, who had known and appreciated Southern kindness and hospitality.
"Well—yes—I suppose there is; but their morals and religion are shockin'. It made my blood run cold, and my hair stand on eend, to see a company of soldiers marchin' through the streets last Sabba' day, to the tune of 'Hail Columby;' and then to think of balls and theatres on the Lord's day night, really it's terrible. I wouldn't live in sich a place for all the world!"
"Very different from New England, certainly," replied Henry, good-naturedly, for it must be confessed he was not so much shocked at these desecrations.
Uncle Nathan discoursed long and eloquently on Sabbath-breaking, gambling and intemperance, which prevail to such an extent in the luxurious metropolis of the South,—as long, at least, as the patience of his new-found military friend would permit. At his suggestion they retired to a hotel for the night, for the mosquitos were in undisturbed possession of the Chalmetta.