the Landing, where it made a deep bend, and where the maps and plans

showed that the process of straightening would not only shorten distance

but increase the "fall." They started a cut-off canal across the

peninsula formed by the bend, and such another tearing up of the earth

and slopping around in the mud as followed the order to the men, had

never been seen in that region before. There was such a panic among the

turtles that at the end of six hours there was not one to be found within

three miles of Stone's Landing. They took the young and the aged, the

decrepit and the sick upon their backs and left for tide-water in

disorderly procession, the tadpoles following and the bull-frogs bringing

up the rear.

Saturday night came, but the men were obliged to wait, because the

appropriation had not come. Harry said he had written to hurry up the

money and it would be along presently. So the work continued, on Monday.

Stone's Landing was making quite a stir in the vicinity, by this time.

Sellers threw a lot or two on the market, "as a feeler," and they sold

well. He re-clothed his family, laid in a good stock of provisions, and

still had money left. He started a bank account, in a small way--and

mentioned the deposit casually to friends; and to strangers, too; to

everybody, in fact; but not as a new thing--on the contrary, as a matter

of life-long standing. He could not keep from buying trifles every day

that were not wholly necessary, it was such a gaudy thing to get out his

bank-book and draw a check, instead of using his old customary formula,

Charge it" Harry sold a lot or two, also--and had a dinner party or two

at Hawkeye and a general good time with the money. Both men held on

The Gilded Age