CHAPTER III 



THE FIRST VISIT TO THE FARM 



IT was the 8th of July, 1895, when I contracted 

 for the farm ; possession was to be given August 

 1st. On July 9th, Polly and I boarded an early 

 train for Exeter, intending to make a day of it 

 in every sense. We wished to go over the prop- 

 erty thoroughly, and to decide on a general out- 

 line of treatment. Polly was as enthusiastic 

 over the experiment as I, and she is energetic, 

 quick to see, and prompt to perform. She was 

 to have the planning of the home grounds the 

 house and the gardens ; and not only the plan- 

 ning, but also the full control. 



A ride of forty-five minutes brought us to 

 Exeter. The service of this railroad, by the way, 

 is of the best ; there is hardly a half-hour in the 

 day when one cannot make the trip either way, 

 and the fare is moderate : 8.75 for twenty-five 

 rides, thirty-five cents a ride. We hired an open 

 carriage and started for the farm. The first half- 

 mile was over a well-kept macadam road through 

 that part of the village which lies west of the 

 railway. The homes bordering this street are of 

 fine proportions, and beautifully kept. They are 



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