Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1870-02-04
selctt storp.
HOW SllAS SOLD THE BUTTER.
RY EMMA d. COBB.

On the eastern bank Of the kennebec
river, some twelve or fifteen miles above
where is now the pleasant village of Nor
ridgewock, stood, long ago, before either
YOU or were born, low beamed, but
wide and comfortable looking farm house.
The country all around was not then the
cleared and cultivated region tina, il now
is. The farms were few and scattered, be-
tween, unmarked by anything which
could be called a road.
The house speak of was occupied by
farmer of the name Of Dennison. hard
working, thrifty man, who had been one
OF the earliest settlers in that region, and
who had made the little spot reclaimed
by him from the wilderness, look pros
porous and comfortable.
Ii was on Monday morning. bright,
September morning in the year 1904, that
a rather more than ordinary hustle might
have been observed around the door OF
the Dennison farmhouse. The old red
horse stood saddled at the horse, c,blo OK,
and the farmer was arranging some bags
across his back while through the open
window you might see the figures OF good
Mrs. Dennison and her maid Dorothy,
moving about in busy preparation. Two
little girls were flutterinS hithcr and
lhither in a perfect twitter of excitement,
watching, in every ones way. In the door
way stood Silas Dennison, the farmers
son. now nearly twelve years ofaGe. lie
tried 10 look Indifferent and careless, but
in truth be WAS swelling with secret ex-
ultation and Importance. For all this
hustle OF preparation had reference Il
himself. He was boand on an expedition
OF more than usual moment; he was &c
undertake business which required al
mos, mans discretion and Judgment
The summers making of butter was to
be taken to market. aud the nearest place
where it could be sold for money was al
Wiscasset, town on the SheepScot river
not far from the mouth Of the Kennebec,
and fully scyenty-fvc miles away. Mon
ey was very scarce in those days. There
were many farmers in comfortable cir
cumstances who did not have q dollar in
their pockets for months NJ time. AL
their bargaining was done in "barter," as
they called il. Their farms produced al
most everything they had, and the few
necessarics they were unable TO raise,
were obtained in exchange for those they
did produce. There were no grocer,
bills in those days. But little money
went a great way then; and the sale oi
the summers butter was expected 10 sup
T ply pretty much all the ready cash whicl
/ the Dennisons would have the coming
winter. Ofcourse, il WAS a matter of nc
small Importance to dispose of 1t to ad
.vantage, 50 it is no wonder Silas felt the
responsibility Of the business with whiel
he was intrusted.
He had put on his best clothes for the
occasion. complete new suit of bark
colored walled" cloth. spun, dyed anC
woven 10y his mother; and every garment
even to the neat cap upon his head, Gu
and made by her own hand. His fee
were encased in mOccasins made by hi'
I father. Of undressel cow-h hide, for there
was no shoemaker or tanner within many
miles of the Dennison farm. Indeed
shoes Of any kind were rather matter o
ornament than of necessity with Silas, II.
/ in warm weather he was accustomed Il
GO barefoot. But no dandy Of that time
in his fine broadcloth. ruffled shirt anC
smart knee buckles, could feel more salts
faction in his appearance than did Silas.
Al last, every thing was ready. The
butter was packed in round boxes, an(
these were placed in long sacks, part Il
each end SO As 10 balance. and then fluns
over the saddle. Silas mounted the oil,
horse. every member of the family look
ing on 10 see him start. His mother BEG
ed him to be careful of himself, and no
ride after dark. His father cautioned hin
not to let the horse trot. He might wall
as fast as be pleased, but if he tried t.
trot, the boxes would worry the horse
and besides the bags might wear through
with rubbing and let the butter drop out
He told Silas to sell the butter for wha
he could get. If it proved to be in goo'
condition when he got to bis journey
end. it ought to bring eighteen or twent.
cents pound; but, he would have to b
governed ty the state of the market.
The last words were said finally, aut