MY VINBTAED. 17 



" Yaas. But there's no use always staying in one place. 

 Setting hens never get fat." 



" Which way do you want to go ?" 



" Out to lUinoy." 

 , " How many acres have you here ?" 



'• I bought it for forty ;jDut the point running into the 

 lake on the west side, makes it a little more." 



"We went out to look at the farm. The land gradually 

 sloped to the lake. The shore was high, except in one 

 place where it dipped down to the water's edge. The 

 soil was mostly a clayey loam. Near the road was a 

 small portion of heavy clay. Towards the point was some 

 lower land with black, mucky soil. The house was a log 

 cabin of comfortable size and appearance. It was sur- 

 rounded by scattering trees of large size — mostly oak and 

 chestnut. An effort at flower-raising was visible in the 

 front yard. A vegetable garden exhibited a profusion of 

 luxuriant weeds. A hovel covered with straw afforded 

 shelter for a cow and a pair of horses. Some pigs and 

 poultry seemed to have the freedom of the place. A wil- 

 derness of mingled raspberry and blackberry bushes 

 clambered qver a portion of the division fence. There 

 were a few peach trees, turf-bound, but appearing vigorous. 

 About ten acres of woods occupied the western side of the 

 place, and extended to the point. There were a half doz- 

 en acres of meadow, and as many more where the young 

 wheat was just making its appearance. There was a large 



