MEMORIES OF THE 



highly elated and happy, that he feels "■ like a new jumped ax," 

 is yet common in wood-choppers' parlance. 



The ink used on the books, both black and red, was home- 

 made, some of it being as black as jet and standing to-day as 

 well as when written, while some is badly faded. 



The entries were generally quite specific, thus enabling one 

 to get more information than from books kept by what might be 

 considered better methods. For instance, " Calvin Totman, by 

 cash paid in road before your house, fifty cents." The payment 

 of so much cash was remarkable and needed special mention to 

 avoid misunderstanding. 



Alfred Shaw's account states as follows: ''August 8, 1822, 

 Alfred Shaw began work at one hundred dollars per year." The 

 kind of hired man that Alfred made is revealed by charges for 

 lost time: ''One day, going fishing;" " one day, hunting;" "one 

 day, attending a frolic;" but the charge of July 19, 1823, is the 

 one which gives Albert completely away, viz.: "One-half day 

 napping, after courting," which, at one. hundred dollars per 

 year, cost Alfred just seventeen cents. Seems cheap enough, 

 but all depended on the sweetheart. 



The "pie-eater" existed then as well as now, as indicated 

 by the charge, March 7, 1826, " Benagah Lowry, one pie at 

 town meeting, twelve cents." 



The "gingerbread boy" was also abroad the same day in the 

 person of Isaac Lanfear, who is charged with "gingerbread and 

 drink, six cents." 



The same day, March 7, Simon Wheeler is charged with 

 " one-half pint of drink, to be paid in ashes." The quantity of 

 ashes required to " suage " Simon's thirst is not stated. 



These and a few other similar charges indicate that March 

 7, 1826, was a lively town meeting at the corners. 



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