This half-way controversy about the calf was thus summarily settled, and a few other matters added, the clock was paid for. But the pedler did not feel to boast, as they say. He was vanquished, and yet the victor. He had made a _bona fide_ sale of a clock where all hitherto had failed; and though for the present he couldn’t show the shiners for his bargain, he hoped in some way to bring up arrearages, and return to tell a fair story to his compeers. The blood freshened his cheeks a good deal more than usual, it must be confessed, as he helped the helpless “young ox” to mount. It was quite a lug, as they say; and, to tell the truth, he was right glad when his wagon, with its added contents of dying stock, and dead stock, was fairly outside of the yard in the public highway. On emerging from the premises of farmer M. he turned south toward V——n Court House, situated some few miles distant. He had now time to lay his plans. In the interval there were few dwellings, and even if there had been, he was in no mood for any new adventure just in that region. As we have already intimated, however, the pedler was a man of large experience; and more than this, he had profited by it—he had acquired tact—he was well fitted to extricate himself from difficulty, and that of the most perplexing kind. From an occasional inquiry of a passing traveler, he ascertained that the court was in session at V——n Court House; and his plan of operations was predicated upon this welcome intelligence. He thought that if it proved so, he might make a demonstration to some profit. On reaching the ample green, on which the Court House stood, he was satisfied that the court was in session. Accordingly, he drew up at some little distance from the front door, unhitched his horses, and made ready. Shortly after, the court adjourned. The throng, in goodly numbers, issued from the building; and it so happened that they were in great good humor—a cause having just been decided the right way to please the populace; and of this sort of people there was an abundance, with a commendable sprinkling of a somewhat higher grade. At this critical moment the pedler stepped upon his cart, and in quite a civil way, begged to announce to the gentlemen, that he had some few articles on sale, which he would be happy to show them. The crowd gathered round, and the inquiry rose thicker and faster, “What you got?” “What you got?” Responding to the already clamorous demand, the pedler, with a calm and composed front, said that if the gentlemen pleased, he would take the liberty to exhibit a specimen of _flaxseed_. He had paid a large price for it, and not having a great quantity, he would sell only a spoonful of it to an individual. In this way he could give them all a chance; but mark it, gentlemen, if you please, said he, “I sell only one spoonful to an individual; one spoonful—not a thimbleful more.” “Price?” inquired a farmer, who thought much of choice seeds.