[_Mr. B., a Chicago collector of hooked rugs, has observed a fine
specimen hanging on a clothes-line beside a New Hampshire farmhouse.
Mr. B. descends from his car and approaches the proprietor, who is
sawing wood near the kitchen wing._]
_Mr. B._: Good-morning. I stopped to inquire if you have a calf for
sale.
_Peasant_: Did ye?
_Mr. B._: I am willing to pay quite a good price for an original
she-calf in fair condition.
_Peasant_: Be ye?
_Mr. B._: I would pay $350 for a really excellent she-calf.
_Peasant_: Let’s see the money.
_Mr. B._ [_displaying the sum mentioned_]: But _have_ you such a calf?
_Peasant_: Yes; but I wouldn’t never sell her under $355.
_Mr. B._: Done with you at $355! Go fetch her. But stay;—I have nothing
to wrap her in.
_Peasant_: What ye want to wrap her fer?
_Mr. B._ [_laughing graciously_]: It is customary in the city to wrap
all purchased articles, and besides she might take cold. Let me see
what you have to wrap this she-calf in. Ah! There is a worthless old
hooked rug. _That_ will do to wrap my purchase in.
_Peasant_: Well, I don’t know. That there rug’s wuth somethin’. I’ll
have to charge ye two dollars extry for the rug.
_Mr. B._ [_restraining his excitement, handing the peasant $2.00 and
removing the rug from the clothes-line_]: Very well. I hereby purchase
the rug; and upon second thoughts I find I have no definitely pressing
need for a she-calf at this time. Good-morning and the best of luck to
you!
[Illustration:
OLD NEW ENGLAND PRINT OF THE FIRST MEETING OF THE AMERICAN
ACADEMY FOR THE POPULARIZATION OF ANTIQUITIES
From the collection of Miss Cora Kilgallen Brütche, of Appleby,
Pa., two (and possibly three) of whose ancestors took part in the
meeting.
]