“Jared, what will thee give for the mill without the stones?”
“Not one penny, Sylvanus,” replied Jared as succinctly; and the other—
“What will thee give for it as it stands, Jared?”
“I don’t feel to want it at any price, friend,” replied Jared indifferently.
The mill-owners consulted, and presently returned to the charge with—
“Jared, thee must make us an offer.”
“Well, then, twenty dollars for firewood, Sylvanus.”
The offer was accepted immediately; the shrewd Jared did not burn his mill, even to roast a suckling pig; but repaired and used it to his own and his neighbor’s advantage, until the day of his death.