bility of the thing, and said she depended on seeing them in Alabama next season. Before breakfast-time not a stranger was left in the house. Doctor Nervy was one of the first who run off. And though there has been but one case in the neighbourhood since, and that five miles distant, not a soul has come to the Spaw. What is to become of my farm and the fine house I do not know. I suppose neighbour Cross must have both. On looking about the rooms, and at the various rubbish which had been left, I found, in one where the reading-party used to meet by themselves, a great pile papers, making, I should say, many quires of foolscap. I thought, though they had been left as good for nothing, and were of no use to me, they might turn to some account. But I resolved to have the speculation all to myself; and on talking to Eli, he thought there would be no harm in seeing what the papers were worth. They have not been inquired after in two weeks, and I do not know whose they are; so I conclude they belong to me. If you will give any thing for them, I will trust to you to fix the price. I am an unfortunate man; and every trifle will help me that I can come by in an honest way. There were other scraps and blotted papers about the house, and some love-letters and verses; but I take it for granted they are not worth any thing. Your very humble servant, SHARON CLAPP |