A n u ntkr's LI F K 111 



Wc were not intimate with any of our neighbors, 

 tliough, indeed, we had but three. Colonel John Lynn, 

 who lived within two miles, I had seen several times, bin 

 I had formed no acquaintance with him. He was very 

 prominent, and, perhaps, one of the most influential men 

 in the county. He could do more in an electioneering 

 campaign than any other two men in the county. Nor 

 was this to be wondered at ; for in his every action toward 

 his neighbors, and all persons who had any business with 

 liim, honor, honesty, kindness, and charity were clearly 

 manifested. 



Mr. William W. Hoy, who lived within three miles, was 

 a very generous and kind neighbor, but not popular ; and 

 Mr. James Drane, who lived within five miles, was a very 

 kind, gentlemanly, and truthful man. These were my 

 only neighbors. Neither Mary nor myself had ever been 

 in any one of their houses except that of Mr. Hoy ; so 

 we were compelled to wait till circumstances gave us an 

 opportunity for forming an acquaintance. 



This state of affairs did not last long ; for all except 

 myself being engaged in clearing farms, wanted help ; and 

 as I was a good hand at log-rollings and house-raisings, 

 we all soon became ficquainted, and really fond of each 

 other. 



Mary was contented in her new home ; and while I fur- 

 nished meat and bread, she made as sweet butter as ever 

 was eaten, and laid away enough for winter use. There 

 were thousands of wild bees, and from each hive I dis- 

 covered I got from two to ten gallons of honey. I could 

 sell deer-skins at any time in the old settlement ; for in 

 those days many men, and almost all the boys, wore buck- 

 skin pants and hunting-shirts ; which made skins bring a 

 good price. I used to take my skins to the mill, and leave 

 them there, and the farmers would leave me their value in 

 grain and for bear-meat I received four dollars a hun- 



