88 FIVE ACRES TOO MUCH. 



punips, and iron pumps, that save the muscles, but 

 offend the sensibilities. 



Were it not that I was subject to the dominion of 

 several Irish maidens, denominated servants, I should 

 certainly have sacrificed utility to beauty ; but, under 

 the force of a ukase from them, I was compelled to 

 buy a pump. Of the various patterns of these, a 

 pretty iron one had taken my fancy, and no sooner 

 was the well completed than it was purchased. Un 

 fortunately, the entire village of Flushing was then 

 putting in pumps, and there was no possibility of 

 having it set up for two entire weeks. We had just 

 occupied the house opposite, which had no well, and 

 we depended for water upon our own. 



Reader, have you ever hauled up water from a 

 well in a pail ? If you have not, you should learn 

 to do it; it requires skill and courage. You must 

 balance yourself carefully on a few loose planks, 

 and, peering down giddily into the dark hole that 

 yawns beneath, you must lower the pail with a long 

 rope for what seems an endless distance, and when 

 it reaches the bottom, will have to jerk it about vig 

 orously, as it obstinately refuses for a long time to 

 fill ; and then you must draw up carefully the heavy 

 weight that threatens to pull you in, instead of your 

 pulling it out ; and manage not to let it touch the 



