Volume I Part 10 (1/2)

”I reckon you'll know best when you answer my question.”

”Well then, I shouldn't like less than five dollars.”

”Five dollars and my bonnet! I reckon two would be nearer the mark--but it's of no consequence.”

”None in the least, miss, only I know the value of my bonnet.--We'll say no more about it.”

”Just so, miss.”

A pause and silence for half a minute, when Miss Plush, looks out of the window, and says, as if talking to herself, ”I shouldn't mind giving four dollars, but no more.” She then fell back in her seat, when Miss Pink, put her head out of the window, and said:--”I shouldn't refuse four dollars after all, if it was offered,” and then she fell back to her former position.

”Did you think of taking four dollars, miss?”

”Well! I don't care, I've plenty of bonnets at home.”

”Well,” replied Plush, taking out her purse, and offering her the money.

”What bank is this, miss?”

”Oh, all's right there, Safety Fund, I calculate.”

The two ladies exchange bonnets, and Pink pockets the balance.

I may here just as well mention the custom of _whittling_, which is so common in the Eastern States. It is a habit, arising from the natural restlessness of the American when he is not employed, of cutting a piece of stick, or any thing else, with his knife. Some are so wedded to it from long custom, that if they have not a piece of stick to cut, they will whittle the backs of the chairs, or any thing within their reach.

A yankee shewn into a room to await the arrival of another, has been known to whittle away nearly the whole of the mantle-piece. Lawyers in court whittle away at the table before them; and judges will cut through their own bench. In some courts, they put sticks before noted whittlers to save the furniture. The Down-Easters, as the yankees are termed generally, whittle when they are making a bargain, as it fills up the pauses, gives them time for reflection, and moreover, prevents any examination of the countenance--for in bargaining, like in the game of brag, the countenance is carefully watched, as an index to the wishes.

I was once witness to a bargain made between two respectable yankees, who wished to agree about a farm, and in which whittling was resorted to.

They sat down on a log of wood, about, three or four feet apart from each other, with their faces turned opposite ways--that is, one had his legs on one side of the log with his face to the East, and the other his legs on the other side with his face to the West. One had a piece of soft wood, and was sawing it with his penknife; the other had an unbarked hiccory stick which he was peeling for a walking-stick. The reader will perceive a strong a.n.a.logy between this bargain and that in the stage between the two ladies.

”Well, good morning--and about this farm?”

”I don't know; what will you take?”

”What will you give?”

Silence, and whittle away.

”Well, I should think two thousand dollars, a heap of money for this farm.”

”I've a notion it will never go for three thousand, any how.”

”There's a fine farm, and cheaper, on the North side.”

”But where's the sun to ripen the corn?”

”Sun s.h.i.+nes on all alike.”

”Not exactly through a Vermont hill, I reckon. The driver offered me as much as I say, if I recollect right.”