MY FARM OF EDGEWOOD 



man enough, but doan't know nothing 'bout 

 farmin'— them hills he 's bought doan't bear 

 nothin' but pennyrial ; ten acres on't would n't 

 keep a good cosset sheep." And my friend 

 expectorates with a good deal of emphasis. 



I suggested that many came into the coun- 

 try for good views and a fine situation. 



"I know it, sir," said my lank friend ; "this 

 's a free country, and a man caii do as he likes, 

 leastwise we used to think so; but as for me, 

 give me a good black sile 'bout seven inches 

 thick, and good turf top on't, and a good smart 

 team, and I take out my views, along in the 

 fall o' the year, in the corn crib. Them 's my 

 sentiments." 



I think I won upon my tall friend by ex- 

 pressing my approval of so sound opinions; 

 and in the course of talk, we found ourselves 

 again upon the dainty lawn by the doorstep, 

 near to which the brook surged along, brim- 

 ful and deep, to the river. Over-deep, indeed, 

 it seemed, for so near neighborhood to the 

 house. An expression of mine to this effect 

 was amply confirmed by the tall farmer. Only 

 a year or so gone, a little child had tumbled in, 

 and was "drownded." 



And this was perhaps the reason why the 

 family left so attractive a place, I suggested. 



32 



