.MTMwOQ.MTA2MjIx
131
"Well, master Henry," said he, "I think those four big mellons near the fence, between the two young apple trees, will be fit to take to market tomorrow, and I advise you to do so, as you may lose them." The bate took-for the next morning the identical mellons were among the missing. The rascally landlord, finding that he had fallen into a trap from which he could not otherwise extricate himself - the evidence of his dishonesty having been found in his house - paid a round sum to prevent prosecution, and never more trespassed upon our grounds. Old Jake, by permission built himself a log house on the outskirts of the forest, ten by twelve feet. Nearly the whole of the west side was occupied by a mud chimney, while in the south front he placed the door and window. The interior was furnished in the rudest manner. A common pine board, four feet in length and two broad, resting upon four sapling crotches, served him for a table. A similar contrivance, only a little lower, served for a bedstead, upon which was spread two buffalo robes, while a meal bag pillowed his head. These, together with two rush bottom chairs, a plough, several rakes, hoes, and other implements of husbandry made, what he termed, the most comfortable house in the township. Jake was the master of five hogs, which he had reared from little skelletons of three weeks old to large, fat, fine-looking porkers, and on these helav