DIARY OF CAPTAIN LAMSON 173 



sion, and as he candidly confessed the 

 whole plan and who employed him, I had 

 the satisfaction of deducting about $150 

 from Timothy Blank's account, which was 

 very cutting to him, when Mr. Sears settled 

 for me. In regard to Chatham, the man- 

 ners of the town were similar to all our 

 small towns with the exception of some 

 ancient customs among the young people, 

 and, what was by me at that time disap- 

 proved of, I allude to the free mode of 

 courtship called bundling. While there I 

 was much courted by one of the first young 

 ladies of the place as regards property, but 

 my unfortunate situation would not per- 

 mit me to enjoy the company of the young 

 people, consequently, the poor girl had to 

 go home alone several evenings, as I wished 

 not to raise any thought of my attention 

 being toward her. We, after settling with 

 Mr. Sears, got a wind and proceeded to 

 Boston. I had Mr. Nicholson passenger. 

 I immediately called on Mr. Francis, who 

 ordered me to call on Mr. Brooks. Having 



