APPENDIX. 321 



died pleasures in the hearts of my ancestors ; I had 

 endeavored to bag fish and birds descended from stock 

 my forefathers had as eagerly hunted, yet failed to 

 catch. 



By the contemplation of ownership through he- 

 reditary descent, I felt as if all the fish and game in 

 this vicinity belonged to me, and I now consign the 

 slender heritage to your keeping. I trust you will 

 pardon me for placing a fanciful valuation upon what 

 assessors have not appraised very high. They do not 

 regard emotional estimates 



Two years ago, while making these familiar scenes 

 a rambling visit, I told Mr. Keep, the owner for the 

 time, that whenever he wanted to dispose of the 

 property he might consider me a bidder. To my 

 pleasant surprise, in a few weeks I received a letter 

 from him announcing his readiness to sell. I inquired 

 the price, and, as it seemed reasonable, I took it at 

 his offer. 



Now, as I have no children to inherit the prop- 

 erty, I hereby give and deed the same to the inhabit- 

 ants of the town of Paxton, to keep, to hold, and to 

 enjoy its incomes forever; the conditions being that 

 the farm lands and buildings shall be known in rec- 

 ords and in common parlance as the "Howe Place," 

 and that the estate, buildings, and lands shall never be 

 used as a pauper establishment. 



This transaction is in accord with the views of my 

 wife, who has relinquished her contingent " thirds," 

 and has authorized the act by placing her signature to 

 the deed I now place in the hands of the Chairman of 

 your Selectmen. 



As long as I may live I know I shall take pleasuiv 



