land would give entire satisfaction, and acted according to this belief.  With a light heart he went home, and communicated the joyful intelligence to his wife, who had from the first been opposed to the trade.  He did not, however, inform her of the terms on which he had sold.  In a few days he had disposed of his shop and tools to one of his former workmen.  Many were surprised when the sign of “Robert Short” was taken from its long resting-place over the door.  Mr. Short now began to think the house in which he had for many years resided was not quite good enough, and therefore engaged a larger and more expensive one.  He ordered new furniture, purchased a carriage and horses, and had his new house fitted out under the direction of his friend, the squire.  He rented a large store; bought large quantities of shoes and leather, partly on credit.  His business at first prospered, but in a short time became quite dull; his former customers left, and all business seemed at a stand-still.  In the mean time, the broker had left town, having sold out his office to a young man.  Matters stood thus, when, early in the morning on a pleasant day in June, as the squire and Mr. Short were seated in the counting-room of the latter, a man dressed in a light summer dress entered.

“Good-morning,” said the visitor.  “Business is quite lively, I suppose?”

“O, it’s moderate, nothing extra,” replied Mr. Short; “won’t you be seated?”

The stranger seated himself.

“Mr. Robert Short is your name, is it not?” he inquired.

“It is, sir.”

“Did I not make a bargain with you about some eastern land, a few months since?”

“Yes, some person did;” and Mr. Short immediately recognized him as the purchaser.  The new comer then took from his pocket the paper of agreement, and presented it for the inspection of the two gentlemen.

“Are you not satisfied with your bargain?” inquired Mr. Smith.

“Not exactly,” replied the stranger, laughing.

“Why, what fault is there in it?”

“Well,” replied the stranger, “I suppose a report of my examination will be acceptable.”

“Certainly, sir,” replied Mr. Short.

“Then I can give it in a few words.  It is a good watering place, being wholly covered with water; and is of no value unless it could be drained, and that, I think, is impossible.”

The squire was astonished; Mr. Short knew not what to

“What is the name of the water bought for land?” inquired Squire Smith.

“The location of it is in a large pond of water, twelve miles in length, and about six in width, and is known in those parts by the name of the ‘Big Pond.’  But,” continued the stranger, “I must be gone; please return me my money, according to agreement.”