RIVER TOWNS. 89 



border on the railroad and the river. Thus, 

 society is defined by the grade of the land, and 

 the two extremes would be antagonistic did 

 not the happy medium preserve the balance. 



In the olden time most of the population 

 was located by the docks for commercial con- 

 venience, the dwellers upon the stage-road 

 above subsisting on what they gained as 

 hangers-on around the tavern and the stables. 

 Most of those old caravansaries have long ago 

 been demolished or put to other uses. The 

 Vincent House, however, still holds its own 

 on the turnpike at Tarrytown, modernized 

 somewhat, but yet affording entertainment for 

 man and beast. 



When 1 stop, as I sometimes do, and enter 

 its bar-room with motive undisguised, I meet 

 the faces of men whom I have known for years, 

 fixtures there — men who know everything, 

 because their fathers and grandfathers knew 

 everything, and told it to them, about Revolu- 

 tionary times. They do not agree in their 

 knowledge, but that is a matter of small ac- 

 count. '^ Them fellers that captured Andre," 

 said one of them, "were part of a gang of 

 Skinners. You needn't talk; shut up. I've 

 heard my gran'ther tell all about it, and don't 



