He had a hard head, as well as hard heart, and could stand any quantity of drink.  His drinking, however, like everything else about him, had a motive; and, instead of trying to appear sober, like other drunkards, he rather wished to appear a little elevated.  In addition to his other acquirements, Q—–­ was a most accomplished gambler.  In short, no virtuous man, who employs every passing moment of his short life in doing good to his fellow-creatures, could be more devoted and energetic in his endeavours to serve God and mankind, than Q—–­ was in his endeavours to ease them of their spare cash.

He possessed a great deal of that free-and-easy address and tact which distinguish the Canadians; and, in addition to the current coin of vulgar flattery which is found so useful in all countries, his quick eye could discover the high-minded gentleman by a kind of instinct, which did not seem quite natural to his sordid character, and, knowing that such men are not to be taken by vulgar adulation, he could address them with deferential respect; against which no minds are entirely secure.  Thus he wriggled himself into their good graces.  After a while the unfavourable impression occasioned by his sinister countenance would become more faint, while his well-feigned kindness and apparent indulgence to his numerous debtors would tell greatly in his favour.

My first impression of this man was pretty nearly such as I have described; and, though I suspected and shunned him, I was sure to meet him at every turn.  At length this unfavourable feeling wore off in some degree, and finding him in the best society of the place, I began to think that his countenance belied him, and I reproached myself for my ungenerous suspicions.

Feeling a certain security in the smallness of my available capital, I did not hesitate in applying to Mr. Q—–­ to sell me a farm, particularly as I was aware of his anxiety to induce me to settle near C—–­, for the reasons already stated.  I told him that 300 pounds was the very largest sum I could give for a farm, and that, if I could not get one for that price, I should join my friends in the backwoods.

Q—–­, after scratching his head, and considering for a few minutes, told me that he knew a farm which he could sell me for that price, particularly as he wished to get rid of a set of Yankee rascals who prevented emigrants from settling in that neighbourhood.  We afterwards found that there was but too good reason for the character he gave of some of our neighbours.

Q—–­ held a mortgage for 150 pounds on a farm belonging to a certain Yankee settler, named Joe H—–­, as security for a debt incurred for goods at his store, in C—–.  The idea instantly struck Q—–­ that he would compel Joe H—–­ to sell him his farm, by threatening to foreclose the mortgage.  I drove out with Mr. Q—–­ next day to see the farm in question.  It was situated in a pretty retired valley, surrounded by hills, about