Peasant: Let’s see the money.
Mr. B. [displaying the sum mentioned]: But have you such a calf?
Peasant: Yes; but I wouldn’t never sell her under $355.
Mr. B.: Done with you at $355! Go fetch her. But stay;—I have nothing to wrap her in.
Peasant: What ye want to wrap her fer?
Mr. B. [laughing graciously]: It is customary in the city to wrap all purchased articles, and besides she might take cold. Let me see what you have to wrap this she-calf in. Ah! There is a worthless old hooked rug. That will do to wrap my purchase in.
Peasant: Well, I don’t know. That there rug’s wuth somethin’. I’ll have to charge ye two dollars extry for the rug.
Mr. B. [restraining his excitement, handing the peasant $2.00 and removing the rug from the clothes-line]: Very well. I hereby purchase the rug; and upon second thoughts I find I have no definitely pressing need for a she-calf at this time. Good-morning and the best of luck to you!
OLD NEW ENGLAND PRINT OF THE FIRST MEETING OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY FOR THE POPULARIZATION OF ANTIQUITIES