The herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1835-1837, 1837-01-09


sale binding the purchaser to build on said lots-that
they were going on with their improvements It
was in fourishing condition" / congratulated her
upon the fair prospects of Petersburg when the pleased
host, who had overheard our conversation, entered
and handed me map of the place. gazed upon it
with much apparent interest remarking the excellent
modem which pr0prieters had laid out the goody
city, and expressing my satisfaction, limiting that II
might be desirable to make an investment. parted
with them for the night retiring within the folds Of
the clean linen sheets, kindly provided for me.
awOke in fine spirits, made much inner by three cups
Of good coffee which the good landlady handed me-
with womanly grace.
took my cigar, and lighted it with the aid of ire
mendous pair Of tongs with which seized living
COAL and after having made much use of it as my
necessities or those of my favorite cigar requredfo
good reader cigar if you observed has unsatia
ble longing for firc-handedit to my driver. Wemade
ready for start. parted with my host and hostess
praisng the excellent coffee, and remarking that
probably might buy village lot if could get it cheap
enough, and on "ong time,' adding that would al
waW stop whenever passed through Petersburg, and
pay the taxes on the lot She laughed and said she
thought the taxes would be as bad as compound in
erest" The writer humbly advises all town and city
makers 70 get up at once good public house, well
kept and he assures them that will prove highly adj
yantageous in giving strangers favorable opinion Of
their places and perchance induce them TO make pur
chases. We started off under very favorable nfiu-
encss Our horses were full ofvgor and activity, re-
newed and renovated by their nights rest and morn
ing meal of oats with which they had been most pen-
tiully supplied. As we scudded over the ground,
alone the back seat and was engaged in pleasing
meditation on what had occurred during my seourn
at the tavern, with my cigar held fast in my lips out
of which went forth curls Of smoke wreathing them
selves in fantastic forms on which the eye-at least
that of the genuine smoker-rests with unmingled
satisfaction. Shortly we entered the timbercd land
making our way over the muddy road, filled with
stumps broken limbs ftrees and the various obstrc-
tons incident to roads in new country, as well as
we could The vast forest Of oaks and beech trees
hung over and spread around in all the undsturbed
maoni6cence OF nature The growth of these noble
trees was work of long time, and the labor, hard
knocks and DURATION indicated by the slow progress
of the distant woodsman as the sound ofhis axe met
my ear, proved how much must be done before the
process Of clearing down these gigantic trees and
bringing the soil under cultivation was thoroughly
compished. After ride of some hours we arrived at
the village DIP, and dined.
Just as / was paying my BILL previous to leaving
was much amused by an incident which occurred at
the moment II seemed the teamster who stood by
me- for be it known TO you good reader, that team
ster or WAGNER did stand in close proximity to my
ped at this tavern and asked for glass Of wine just
by way of variety. He drank wine glass full OF the
fluid and was obliged 10 pay twelve and half cents
for it, which he deemed an unconscionable price.
Now he was on his way back to one Of the points
on his numerous routes and came TO the bar with an
intention of making himself even wits the bar
keeper He called for bottle of wine, asking how
much il was a glass. The barkeeper told him, one
shilling So he seized very large tumber and filing
it to the brim, drank II down with much ayldy to the
great annoyance Of the dignitary within the bar. He
handed out shilling, chuckled with inward satisfac-
ton saying, 81 rather que we're square, now int
weT The barkeeper could hardly contain himself
for anger, but thinking that prudence dictated sub
and rode off linmelested. The bysanders were much
amused as you hope will DO dear reader, and sym
pathsed with the teamster, for the wine was so mser
ably poor that three cents glass was an ample
his throat by letting il pass through it, on its way to
minge with the blood Of his ply sica system.
We journeyed I'LL nightfall and took lodgings at
a hotsl in the village Of 4, finding il crowded
with villagers and enngrants. After discussing a
tolerabe e walked into the public room, and took
seat, determined to be amused fpossibe before
firing to rest. was engaged in watching the coun
tenances, and listening TO the mingled conversation
Of the soourners which was principally about real es
and purchases in short-specuation-
" hen farmer like looking young man approached,
and looked AT me for some time full in the face re-
turned his nquiring gazc with uniinching eva and
an mpertibliy Of courtenance, which probably pre-
vented him from addressing me nj once After while
however, suffered my muscles to relax, and gave
him encouragement to approach.
He took chair by my my side, and said, with yam
parts, amt youq" "Well rather guess ann an
swered L. "How long have you been IN the terrific
nv !" continued he. About year" responded /.
"Wsll, suppose you've made some investments,
havn't you n eyes a few" by the way, good
reader that word investment is put the lips of all
in NIchigan) "Woudn't you like to buy some good
land near our town n asked the youthful Spectator.
III don't know but should, if / could get il cheap
enough, and il it's good land well located" "Oh!
it's we'll located for took il up myself year ago,
and know it's first rate land els il heavy TIM
bered land, or merely oak openings" asked l. "Yes,
SIR its very heavily tmbered, and timber Of the best
sort too
aohi don't like il too heavily tmbered, it's too
much trouble TO clear it." "Wel It's not so confsund-
tdly heavy imbered after all rejoincd the barganer
SHOW much do you ask an acre for tF'
al reckon it, worth fifteen dollars the acre."
aWon't you take less r. "Well If got cash in
hand, guess might take twelve dollars the acre.
That's too much for uncleared land, when one can
buy much you can shake stick at for ten
shlllings, government price" Well, but not such
land this s-stuated right by village, and only
half mile from our rail road-but If you really want
10 buy you'll give eight dollars clear cash in hand,
the acre, you may have it. and we say no more
about it." But my good fellow, you've come down
now seven dollars the scre-now, II you will only
lower your prce still more, and bnng IL within
sonable bounds | dom know but we may strike up
4 trade" "we what will you give an acre7"-
" oh, my good fellow never set prcc on another
mans property-lus, say the rery loresf pnce yeu
will take for your land, and perhaps we may censum-
mate bargain"
He moved slowly towards me with knowing air.
and speaking very low said that his very lowest pnce
was three dollars the acre. cash. and begged me, u
LII hp had