got made, that time he got a house full of rich speculators to see him

exhibit only in the middle of his speech it let go and almost blew the

heads off the whole crowd. I haven't got over grieving for the money

that cost yet. I am sorry enough Beriah Sellers is in Missouri, now, but

I was glad when he went. I wonder what his letter says. But of course

it's cheerful; he's never down-hearted--never had any trouble in his

life--didn't know it if he had. It's always sunrise with that man, and

fine and blazing, at that--never gets noon; though--leaves off and rises

again. Nobody can help liking the creature, he means so well--but I do

dread to come across him again; he's bound to set us all crazy, of

coarse. Well, there goes old widow Hopkins--it always takes her a week

to buy a spool of thread and trade a hank of yarn. Maybe Si can come

with the letter, now."

And he did:

Widow Hopkins kept me--I haven't any patience with such tedious people.

Now listen, Nancy--just listen at this:

"'Come right along to Missouri! Don't wait and worry about a good

price but sell out for whatever you can get, and come along, or you

might be too late. Throw away your traps, if necessary, and come

empty-handed. You'll never regret it. It's the grandest country

--the loveliest land--the purest atmosphere--I can't describe it; no

pen can do it justice. And it's filling up, every day--people

coming from everywhere. I've got the biggest scheme on earth--and

The Gilded Age