in one corner stood a huge bag of wool , ready to be spun ; in another , a quantity of linsey-woolsey just from the loom ; ears of indian corn , and strings of dried apples and peaches , hung in gay festoons along the walls , mingled with the gaud of red peppers ; and a door left ajar gave him a peep into the best parlor , where the claw-footed chairs and dark mahogany tables shone like mirrors ; andirons , with their accompanying shovel and tongs , glistened from their covert of asparagus tops ; mock- oranges and conch-shells decorated the mantelpiece ; strings of various-colored birds eggs were suspended above it ; a great ostrich egg was hung from the centre of the room , and a corner cupboard , knowingly left open , displayed immense treasures of old silver and well-mended china .