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 
Ist. 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-fiveminutes 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 centsaride. 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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