44 FOttTY-FOUR YEARS OF 



much by this job ; and the next time you try it you will 

 iii.ake less.' 



" So saying, I walked off, and sac went lo the bed and 

 laid down ; and from that time she never undertook to 

 beat me in that way again." 



My mother heard this story with excited feelings. But 

 when I told her that the fight had cost my aunt a consi- 

 derable spell of sickness, her anger was somewhat ap- 

 peased. We retired to rest at midnight, and slept soundly 

 till sunrise the next morning. We breakfasted on a fine 

 dish of fried chickens, with fresh butter, light rolls, and 

 different kinds of preserves. 



Well, thought I to myself, this is a fine place, surely, to 

 make a living ; and if Mary only lived out here I never 

 would wish to see Alleghany again. But Mary will have 

 to take care of herself, and I must do the same. I will 

 try to forget her as fast as I can, and seek some business 

 at which I can make something for myself. 



My mother and friends prevailed on me to spend a week 

 with them ; and in the mean time I helped one of the 

 young men with a job he had to finish for a certain Gene- 

 ral Biggs, who held an appointment from the Government 

 to survey the State of Ohio, and lay it oflf into sections. 

 While I was working for him with my friend, the General 

 asked me how I would like to go with him on that expe- 

 dition ; and as it was certainly just such a place as I 

 would like to be in, I told hira it would suit me first-rate 

 if I would be allowed to take a good rifle with nie, and 

 unt every evening and morning. He asked me if I un- 

 derstood handling a rifle. I told him I did ; and that if 

 I had one I could prove to hira that I was no slouch with 

 it, eiti^er. 



"Well, my boy," said he, "there is my rifle in the pas- 

 sage ; let me see you try yourself" 



All being ready — a paper about the s'ze of a half-djllar 



