Indeed, he had to stand just twice the number of treats in return for the compliments paid him as a man and a Christian.

It was noticed, also, that the Dominie took tea more frequently at Hanz's table; and that Critchel, the little snuffy doctor, who had practised in the settlement for a quarter of a century, and, indeed, assisted in bringing at least one-half of its inhabitants into the world, and of course was considered very safe in such cases, had increased his visits at the house.
Now these honest old burghers had almanacs made with strict regard to truth, and if they prognosticated a storm it was sure to come.

They would not consider it safe to navigate the Tappan Zee on a day fixed by the almanac for a storm.

On the 5th day of January, 1805, in the almanac that never failed Hanz, there was this: "Look out for a snow storm." This time, however, the snow, if not the storm, was ahead of the almanac.

Indeed, it had been falling slowly and gently for two days; and a white sheet of it, at least three inches deep, covered the ground on the morning of the 5th.