Impressions 



trouble in the road or off o' it, as it happens 

 where you be.' 



" 'I'll get a warrant out fur ye fur threat- 

 enin',' says the ol' man. 



"Now, warrants is a nuisance. They're apt 

 to interfere with your plans, so I sings out, 

 'Good-by, Nance!' and got out. She waves a 

 bit o' ribbon and then said somethin' I didn't 

 catch, but I 'lowed it was all sweety words, and 

 so went away cheerful. 



"It took me a couple o' weeks to get settled 

 like. I couldn't plan nothin', seein' Nance was 

 out o' reach. I'd a notion fur a house on the 

 Island, but Nance might like one on the Manor 

 shore. I got all upsot, and says I, 'I'll see 

 Nance, spite o' the ol' man.' 



"That very day it started in a-rainin'. The 

 wind got 'round to the s'uth'ard and snow and 

 ice melted all in no time. Thinks I, 'There'll 

 be a fresh'.' Then I tho't o' Nance. The ol' 

 man's house was too close to the river shore 

 for safety, anyhow. More 'n once the water had 

 lapped over the front step, and in '39 it was on 

 the first floor. There was no crossin' the river 

 in a boat, so I went up to the bridge and walked 

 down on the Manor side. The water kep' 



11 



