94 FIVE ACRES TOO MUCH, 



gers of drawing water with a pail, I joyfully seized 

 the handle and commenced to pump. I worked 

 away right manfully for a few moments, but did not 

 manage to bring up any &quot;water. When I stopped for 

 an instant, a long sigh seemed to express the thing s 

 regret that it could not accommodate me, or the suf 

 ferings to which my exertions put it. I recom 

 menced, and appeared to gain for a little distance, to 

 judge by the effort required, but at a certain point 

 success deserted me ; the pump evidently was not 

 equal to the occasion. I worked away on that hot 

 August afternoon till the perspiration ran freely, if 

 the water did not ; and, when entirely convinced, if 

 not satisfied, I indulged in as little strong language 

 as the circumstances would admit, and sent for the 

 pump-maker. 



His bill had not been paid, and he came at once. 

 When informed of the difficulty, he seized the pump- 

 handle with amusing alacrity, but a few strokes 

 changed his confidence to doubt. When he paused, 

 the same appalling sigh that had greeted me an 

 nounced a similar result, and I smiled amid my mis 

 ery to see his manner change as he recommenced. 

 After two or three attempts, he stopped suddenly 

 and inquired, 



&quot; How deep is your well ?&quot; 



