Part 3 (1/2)
Robert began to think he might have to take them back to Rumford. He saw a sign, ”John Hanc.o.c.k, Successor to Thomas Hanc.o.c.k,” and remembered that his father had traded there, and that John Hanc.o.c.k was a.s.sociated with Sam Adams and Doctor Warren in resisting the aggressions of the king's ministers. Mr. Hanc.o.c.k was not in the store, but would soon be there. The clerk said he would look at what Robert had to sell, put on his hat, stepped to the wagon, stood upon the thills, held a cheese to his nose, pressed it with his thumb, tapped it with a gimlet, tasted it, and smacked his lips.
”Your mother makes good cheese,” he said.
”My sister made them.”
”Your sister, eh. Older than yourself?”
”No, younger; only seventeen.”
”Indeed! Well, you may tell her she is a dabster at cheese-making. Do you want cash? If you do I'm afeard we shall not be able to trade, because cash is cash these days; but if you are willing to barter I guess we can d.i.c.ker, for Mr. Hanc.o.c.k is going to freight a s.h.i.+p to the West Indias and wants something to send in her, and it strikes me the sugar planters at Porto Rico might like a bit of cheese,” the clerk said.
”I shall want some sugar, coffee, mola.s.ses, codfish, and other things.”
”I'll give you the market price for all your cheeses, and make fair rates on what you want from us.”
”I can't let you have all. I must reserve two of the best.”
”May I ask why you withhold two?”
”Because my father wishes to present one to Mr. Samuel Adams and the other to Doctor Joseph Warren, who are doing so much to preserve the rights of the Colonies.”
[Ill.u.s.tration: BONNER'S Map of Boston for 1722.]
”Your father's name is”--
”Joshua Walden,” said Robert.
”Oh yes, I remember him well. He was down here last winter and I bought his load. He had a barrel of apple-sauce, and Mr. Hanc.o.c.k liked it so well he took it for his own table. There is Mr. Hanc.o.c.k, now,” said the clerk, as a chaise drove up and halted before the door.
Robert saw a tall young man, wearing a saffron colored velvet coat, ruffled s.h.i.+rt, buff satin breeches, black silk stockings, and s.h.i.+ning shoe-buckles, step in a dignified manner from the chaise and hand the reins to a gray-headed negro, who lifted his hat as he took them.
”Good-morning, Mr. Ledger,” he said to the clerk.
”Good-morning,” the clerk replied, lifting his hat.
”Well, how is the Mary Jane getting on? Have you found anything in the market on which we can turn a penny? I want to get her off as soon as possible.”
”I was just having a talk with this young gentleman about his cheeses.
This is Mr. Walden from Rumford. You perhaps may remember his father, with whom we traded last year.”
”Oh yes, I remember Mr. Joshua Walden. I hope your father is well. I have not forgotten his earnestness in all matters relating to the welfare of the Colonies. Nor have I forgotten that barrel of apple-sauce he brought to market, and I want to make a bargain for another barrel just like it. All my guests p.r.o.nounced it superb. Step into the store, Mr. Walden, and, Mr. Ledger, a bottle of madeira, if you please.”
The clerk stepped down cellar and returned with a bottle of wine, took from a cupboard a salver and gla.s.ses and filled them.
”Shall we have the pleasure of drinking the health of your father?”
said Mr. Hanc.o.c.k, courteously touching his gla.s.s to Robert's. ”Please give him my compliments and say to him that we expect New Hamps.h.i.+re to stand shoulder to shoulder with Ma.s.sachusetts in the cause of liberty.”
Mr. Hanc.o.c.k drank his wine slowly. Robert saw that he stood erect, and remembered he was captain of a military company--the Cadets.
”Will you allow me to take a gla.s.s with you for your own health?” he said, refilling the gla.s.ses and bowing with dignity and again slowly drinking.