where he did not receive all he asked but he had some pride, and was
unwilling to abuse the offered hospitality. Thus, working a little
at digging in gardens and cutting wood and such other odd jobs as
he could obtain, and making calls at the kitchens, and telling long
stories about Monmouth, and Trenton, and the siege of Yorktown, what
with the money he got, and the presents made him at Thanksgiving
and Christmas, and other odd times, Primus roughed it along, after
a fashion, until Congress found itself in a condition to give him a
pension. It came late to be sure, and was small, but then so were his
wants. It was regularly paid and certain, and joined to the advantages
he already possessed, constituted an ample fortune. Before he got
his pension, poor Primus would sometimes cast a rueful glance at his
wooden leg, and think to himself he had paid a pretty dear price for
independence; and at such times, it must be confessed, his patriotism
ran to a low ebb. He knew no Latin, and therefore could not say, "_sic
vos non vobis_," &c., yet he thought it. But after he obtained his
little annuity, the love of country of the Horatii or Curiatii was
frigid to his. He was never weary of boasting of its freedom, of its
greatness, and of General Washington. It was observed that as he
grew older his stories became longer and more incredible, and his
patriotism hotter. His own personal exploits too, occupied a wider
space in his narratives. To believe him, the number of British and
Hessians conquered by his single arm would have composed a regiment;
and, indeed, it was difficult to conceive how the struggle could have
been brought to a successful issue without his assistance.

"Good morning, General," said Felix, politely touching his cap.

"Good warning, Missa Qui I hope I see you well dis pleasant marning.
How Miss Rosa?" inquired Primus, at the same time making a military