The other took the paper, and conned its contents with a deliberation that proceeded partly from caution, and partly from the unlucky circumstances of his education having been much neglected when a youth. The time thus occupied in this tedious examination was employed by Harvey in gathering together certain articles which he intended to include in the stores that were to leave the habitation with himself.
“I’m rather timersome about this conveyance,” said the purchaser, having at length waded though the covenants[75] of the deed.
“Why so?”
“I’m afraid it won’t stand good in law. I know that two of the neighbors leave home to-morrow morning, to have the place entered for confiscation;[76] and if I should give forty pounds and lose it all, ’twould be a dead pull back to me.”
“They can only take my right,” said the peddler; “pay me two hundred dollars, and the house is yours; you are a well-known Whig,[77] and you at least they won’t trouble.” As Harvey spoke, there was a strange bitterness of manner, mingled with the shrewd care expressed concerning the sale of his property.
“Say one hundred and it is a bargain,” returned the man with a grin that he meant for a good-natured smile.
“A bargain!” echoed the peddler, in surprise; “I thought the bargain was already made.”
“Nothing is a bargain,” said the purchaser, with a chuckle, “until papers are delivered, and the money paid in hand.”
“You have the paper.”