money, Meshech don' tew git soaked."

"He hed some, he hed a shillin howsumever," said Obadiah. "Deacon Nash
give it tew him fer pitchin rowen."

"I hain't been so tickled in ten year," said Israel, "ez I wuz wen
Deacon come roun tidday a offerin a shillin lawful tew the fellers tew
git in his rowen fer him. It must hev been like pullin teeth fer
Deacon tew pay aout cash fer work seein ez he's made his debtors dew
all his farmin fer him this five year, but he hed tew come tew 't, fer
his rowen wuz a spilin, an nary one o' his debtors would lif a finger
'thout bein paid for 't."

"That air shillin o' Meshech's is the fuss money o' his'n I've seen
fer flip in more'n a year," said Widow Bingham, "an thar be them, not
a thousan mile from here, nuther, ez I could say the same on, more
shame to em, for't, an I a lone widder."

The line of remark adopted by the widow, appeared to exert a
depressing influence on the spirits of the company, and this, together
with the information volunteered by Obadiah, that it was "arter nine,"
presently caused a general break-up.




CHAPTER FOURTEENTH

PEREZ GOES TO MEETING