PROFIT AND Loss. 149 



indirect material gain : if I had gone to Saratoga or 

 Newport, or had hired a summer residence elsewhere, 

 $2000 or $3000 would hardly have covered the ex 

 pense, even if I did not fall into the clutches of the 

 &quot; tiger ;&quot; and if I had staid in the city, at the pres 

 ent price of mint juleps and sherry cobblers, and the 

 present dusty condition of the public thoroughfares, 

 I could hardly have got off for less. The pure air of 

 Flushing supplied the place of both these excitements, 

 while the deep interest of my agricultural pursuits 

 kept my mind in a pleasant state of occupation. 



The original outlay for house and grounds was, in 

 round numbers, $15,000; my fruit-trees cost $145 50, 

 which must be added to principal of investment, as it 

 was not to be expected I should have to buy fruit- 

 trees every year. The strawberry plants cost $20, 

 and this should also be part of principal ; but, as they 

 all died, it may be that this must be yearly expense, 

 at least for the first season. The asparagus plants 

 cost $25, and we can hardly be able to tell where to 

 place that item until next year shall determine what 

 becomes of them. The baker s boy, who served me 

 with bread, ran his cart against my gate-post, and put 

 me to an expense of $35 for repairs ; this clearly 

 should be principal, as he could hardly be expected 

 to renew the operation yearly ; besides, he has been 



