CROPS AND PROFITS 



the way of barter; and equally incredible how 

 rarely he finds occasion to put out money at 

 all. Yet he is observant of proprieties; his 

 pew-rent at the meeting house, and tax bills 

 are punctually honored. If I bargain with 

 him, he loves deliberation; he has an opinion, 

 but it only appears after long travail, and 

 comparison of views — in the course of which, 

 he has whittled a stout billet of wood to a very 

 fine point. If I address him in the field, he 

 stops — leans on his hoe — and is willing to 

 lavish upon me the only valuable commodity 

 for which he makes no charge, to wit— his 

 time. 



Such a farmer repairs his barn promptly, 

 when the sills are giving way ; he does not hesi- 

 tate at the purchase of a "likely pair of cattle" 

 at a bargain; he will buy occasional bags of 

 guano, upon proof in his turnip patch, or on 

 his winter rye; but if a subsoil plow is recom- 

 mended, he gives a sly twinkle to that gray 

 eye of his, and a complimentary allusion to 

 the old "Eagle No. 4," which settles the busi- 

 ness. 



Such men are in their way — money-makers; 

 but rather by dint of not spending, than by 

 large profits. These back-country gentlemen 

 have their families — educated (thanks to our 



229 



