As I had some opinion of my son’s prudence, I was willing enough to intrust him with this commission; and the next morning I perceived his sisters very busy in fitting out Moses for the fair,—trimming his hair, brushing his buckles, and cocking his hat with pins. The business of the toilet being over, we had at last the satisfaction of seeing him mounted upon the colt, with a deal box before him to bring home groceries in.
He had on a coat made of that cloth they call thunder and lightning, which, though grown too short, was much too good to be thrown away. His waistcoat was of gosling-green, and his sisters had tied his hair with a broad black ribbon. We all followed him several paces from the door, bawling after him, “Good luck! good luck!” till we could see him no longer.
When it was almost nightfall, I began to wonder what could keep our son so long at the fair. “Never mind our son,” cried my wife; “depend upon it, he knows what he is about. I’ll warrant we’ll never see him sell his hen on a rainy day. I have seen him buy such bargains as would amaze one. I’ll tell you a good story about that, that will make you split your sides with laughing— But, as I live, yonder comes Moses without a horse, and the box at his back.”
As she spoke, Moses came slowly on foot, and sweating under the deal box, which he had strapped round his shoulders like a pedler.
“Welcome, welcome, Moses! Well, my boy, what have you brought us from the fair?”
“I have brought you myself,” said Moses, with a sly look, and resting the box on the dresser.
“Ay, Moses,” cried my wife, “that we know; but where is the horse?”
“I have sold him,” replied Moses, “for three pounds five shillings and twopence.”
“Well done, my good boy,” returned she; “I knew you would touch them off. Between ourselves, three pounds five shillings and twopence is no bad day’s work. Come, let us have it then.”
“I have brought back no money,” cried Moses, again; “I have laid it all out in a bargain,—and here it is,” pulling out a bundle from his breast; “here they are,—a gross of green spectacles, with silver rims and shagreen cases.”