The native American., 1839-11-16

which he had made to look as ',sleek as a
MOLE" and while revolving in his mind the Clio
rious idea that he had arrived at the summit OF
his profession, the thought popped up that
he would make first rate hand to merchandise
in wood. Speculation, J" said he, speculation
is the only thing upon earth that will elevate .
fellows character-it raised julius Cesar, and
lit shall raise me'' laudable ambition is cer-
tainly worthy of an exalted mind and the de.
sire of Ichabod for distinction, though it met
with formidable repulse from his employer,
continued to work upon his feelings until hr
resolved to make q mighty effort to establish
himself as dealer in wood.
1t is well known to house-keepers, and they
have mourned the fact in ten thousand instances
that
9. When chill November's surly blasts
Make fields and forests-bare,"
and considerable advance is occasioned in the
price of the article, that Ichabod had selected to
play the merchant over; and like true specu-
lator, he determined to take advantage Of the
times, and strike for fortune at once. Five dol
lars constituted the contents Of his purse, which
happened to be the amount Of his earthly pos
sessions. He counted it over and over again, as
if he hoped to increase. the store thereby, and
having divided it into small parcels and appor-
tioning each to some especial purpose, he hur-
ried to the quay and made choice Of cord Of
first rate wood, the price Of which was five dol
lars. Nothing daunted, he hustled his quarters
and levies together, and downd the dust to
the full amount.
He was now the owner Of an entire cord OF
F" charming wood" and in order to exhibit it
advantageously for sale to the needy citizens, he
was obliged to search for narrow Wagon but,
| poor fellow, he had no 'shners" to pay the
md .,,h uc t;p,ae al e..
love- or undollared friendship, he was likely to
lose the handsome profit he anticipated in the
sale of his merchandise. Ichabod was not the
man to endure disappointments-he paced the
streets in bitter thought and SO was his mind
occupied in the absorbing subject that com.
manded his energies, that he bit off his finger
nails, and made his lips grow less beneath the
operations of his teeth. He was nearly ex-
hausted with fatigue, when he esped country
Wagon, just such an one as he was in search Of,
standing in bye street, without an owner.
Ichabod gazed awhile and longed for an hours
use Of the object of his anxious wishes, then
exclaiming with Shakespeare, "There is tide
| in the affairs Of men, which, if taken at the
food, leads ON to fortune." Overcome by the
excitement that agitated his feelings, he sprung
upon the saddle horse, saying II can bring il
back" and drove his unknown neighbours team
IOOWH w VIC "ACIC PuISAuSC SCl &c.
NAMED The newly-made merchant was now
as happy as lord, and whistled thanks to his
guardian genius with merry heart and lip. A
crowd Of ragmulfins stood around the glorious
Ichabod enyying his bright prospects-each
anxious TO lend hand in rigging off, his load.
The cord he divided, as nearly as his eye could
guess at the mark, into two equal parts, one Of
which was raised as high as possible upon the
Wagon. After he had finished loading, he
thrust his hands into what had once been his or
some other persons pockets and standing upon
spar few feet from the crowd, he bawed out,
!" swon, but amt it putty, SIGH picter-ho-
keys but its fine, as good cord as ever slipped
through ieller's fingers; five dollars or no sale,
| here goes for the change, gee.a-hoy Jerry" and
amid the shouts Of the rusty crew he drove off.
He bad not proceeded many squares before a
man called out, halloa, sir, waggoner, halloa,
how do you sell your wood :"
Four seventy five"
"High! the dogs hide, amt there most a
cord :"
/ "A very little cord guess.
"Do you doubt my word? cooks alive? Now
mister, if you'll fetch corder and have il mea.
sured, If it aint full cord, or very near it, if
don't give it to you may never sell it."
| Where did you bring it from? 7"
eek ridge landin'-seven miles Of, and
reckon the rawlings worth something, and its
good wood-fve years growth, on highlands
will you take iii"
Wont you take less3"
| "Less-now hear the man take less, when
woods five and half on the wharf, shant do it.
Pm not gon' to climb them hills for nothin' |
know-gee up, jerry" -
!" Here stop-I want to buy that wood"
"Wo, Jerry, vowel | want to sell it, SO
what will We gives"
"Wcll, should like you to say the lowest
you'll take"
u Four sixty -two-if it amt worth that it Amt
worth II cent; look at the wood, raal ginger
hickory-hgh land and best quality, cut last
spring rve sweat too much over it to take less
than four sixty-two."
! "You're sure there's cord =
"Just as sure as cut it, if there's a magis-
trate about here, I'll swear there's cord or very
nigh it; there may be few sticks wantin, but
that's all, and its prime wood too tell you.
| well, throw It out"
Ichabod received his tour sirty-tuo, and was
off exulting in his success. Down he went for
the other half cord, which he wished to dispose