notion it will never go for three thousand, any how."

"There's a fine farm, and cheaper, on the North side."

"But where's the sun to ripen the corn?"

"Sun shines on all alike."

"Not exactly through a Vermont hill, I reckon. The driver offered me as
much as I say, if I recollect right."

"Money not always to be depended upon. Money not always forthcoming!"

"I reckon, I shall make an elegant 'backy stopper of this piece of
sycamore."

Silence for a few moments. Knives hard at work.

"I've a notion this is as pretty a hiccory stick as ever came out of a
wood."

"I shouldn't mind two thousand five hundred dollars, and time given."

"It couldn't be more than six months then, if it goes at that price."

(Pause.)

"Well, that might suit me."

"What do you say, then?"

"Suppose it must be so."

"It's a bargain then," rising up; "come let's liquor on it."

VOLUME ONE, CHAPTER NINETEEN.

The farmers on the banks of the Connecticut river are the richest in the
Eastern States. The majestic growth of the timber certified that the
soil is generally good, although the crops were off the ground. They
grow here a large quantity of what is called the broom corn: the stalk
and leaves are similar to the maize or Indian corn, but, instead of the
ear, it throws out, at top and on the sides, spiky plumes on which seed
is carried. These plumes are cut off, and furnish the brooms and whisks
of the country; it is said to be a very profitable crop. At
Brattleboro' we stopped at an inn kept by one of the State
representatives, and, as may be supposed, had very bad fare in
consequence, the man being above his business. We changed horses at
Bloody Brook, so termed in consequence of a massacre of the settlers by
the Indians. But there are twenty Bloody Brooks in America, all records
of similar catastrophes.

Whether the Blue laws of Connecticut are supposed to be still in force I
know not, but I could not discover that they had ever been repealed. At
present there is no theatre in Connecticut, nor does anybody venture to
propose one. The proprietors of one of the equestrian studs made their
appearance at the confines of the State, and intimated that they wished
to perform, but were given to understand that their horses would be
confiscated if they entered the State. The consequence is that
Connecticut is the dullest, most disagreeable State in the Union; and,
if I am to believe the Americans themselves, so