, his visitor desired to make a purchase, and in place of
being a victim of necessity, he intended to become a land-owner in
that vicinity.

The young man who accompanied him, and who was dressed in clothing of
good quality and style, was discovered to be his servant, and the old
gentlemen, in a few words, completed a bargain in which thousands of
dollars were involved.

The blue eyes of the worthy Squire opened in amazement as the
supposed beggar, drawing forth a well-filled but much-worn leather
wallet, and taking from one of its dingy compartments the amount of
the purchase-money agreed upon, afforded the astonished magistrate a
glimpse of additional wealth of which the amount paid seemed but a
small fraction.

The land in question which thus so suddenly and strangely changed
hands was a farm of nearly thirty acres, situate upon Roton Hill, and
which had been offered for sale for some time previous, without
attracting the attention of an available purchaser. When, therefore,
the new-comer completed his arrangements in comparatively such few
words, and by the payment of the purchase-money in full, he so
completely surprised the people to whom the facts were speedily
related by the voluble Squire, that the miserably apparelled owner of
the "Hill," became at once an object of curiosity and interest.

A few days after this event, the old gentleman, whose name was
ascertained to be John Henry Schulte, formally entered into
possession of his land, and with his servants took up his abode at
Roton Hill.

The dwelling-house upon the estate was an unpretentious frame
building, with gable roof, whose white walls, with their proverbial
green painted window shutters overlooking the road, showed too
plainly the absence of that care and attention which is necessary for
comfort and essential to preservation. It was occupied at this time
by a family who had been tenants under the previous owner, and
arrangements were soon satisfactorily made by Henry Schulte by which
they were to continue their residence in the white farm-house upon
the "Hill."

This family consisted of a middle-aged man, whose name was Joseph
Waring, his wife and children--a son and two blooming daughters, and
as the family of Henry Schulte consisted only of himself and his
servant, the domestic arrangements were soon completed, and he became
domiciled at once upon the estate which he had purchased.

The young man who occupied the position as servant, or v