86 FIVE ACKES TOO MUCH. 



CHAPTER Y. 



A WELL. 



If twere well done when twere done, twere well twere done 

 quickly.&quot; 



O OME of the incidents connected with digging 

 our well have already been referred to, but good 

 w r ater is so necessary to a country place that the 

 mode of obtaining it deserves a separate chapter. 

 Well-digging is a profession, and the most cultivated 

 master of the art to be found in the neighborhood 

 had been engaged, immediately after the foundation 

 of the house was commenced, to dig the well. It 

 was strange, however, how many people at about the 

 same time had determined to do the same thing; it 

 seemed as though the entire village had been seized 

 with a mania for sinking wells. He was exceeding 

 ly busy, and was compelled, much against his wishes, 

 to demand an exorbitant price for his services. He 

 regretted it deeply, but he w T ould have to ask four 

 dollars and a half a foot. As the ordinary price 

 was about a dollar, it was certainly honest of him to 

 explain beforehand the necessities of his situation ; 



