courteous to those who have property. The building of the tavern
has, without doubt, contributed to the new estimation in which you
are held."

"That isn't all," replied the landlord. "It is because I am
keeping a good tavern, and thus materially advancing the interests
of Cedarville, that some of our best people look at me with
different eyes."

"Advancing the interests of Cedarville! In what way?" I did not
apprehend his meaning.

"A good tavern always draws people to a place, while a miserable
old tumble-down of an affair, badly kept, such as we have had for
years, as surely repels them. You can generally tell something
about the condition of a town by looking at its taverns. If they
are well kept, and doing a good business, you will hardly be wrong
in the conclusion that the place is thriving. Why, already, since
I built and opened the 'Sickle and Sheaf,' property has advanced
over twenty per cent along the whole street, and not less than
five new houses have been commenced."

"Other causes, besides the simple opening of a new tavern, may
have contributed to this result," said I.

"None of which I am aware. I was talking with Judge Hammond only
yesterday--he owns a great deal of ground on the street--and he
did not hesitate to say, that the building and opening of a good
tavern here had increased the value of his property at least five
thousand dollars. He said, moreover, that he thought the people of