y declared that to pay toll was _monarchical_, as they
always assert every thing to be which taxes their pockets. So, one fine
night, they assembled with a hawser and a team or two of horses, made
the hawser fast to the house at the gate, dragged it down to the river,
and sent it floating down the stream, with the gate and board of tolls
in company with it.

Progressing in the stage, I had a very amusing specimen of the ruling
passion of the country--the spirit of barter, which is communicated to
the females, as well as to the boys. I will stop for a moment, however,
to say, that I heard of an American, who had two sons, and he declared
that they were so clever at barter, that he locked them both up together
in a room, without a cent in their pockets, and that before they had
_swopped_ for an hour, they had each gained two dollars a piece. But
now for my fellow-passengers--both young, both good-looking, and both
ladies, and evidently were total strangers to each other. One had a
pretty pink silk bonnet, very fine for travelling; the other, an
indifferent plush one. The young lady in the plush, eyed the pink
bonnet for some time: at last _Plush_ observed in a drawling
half-indifferent way:

"That's rather a pretty bonnet of your's, miss."

"Why yes, I calculate it's rather smart," replied Pink.

After a pause and closer survey.--"You wouldn't have any objection to
part with it, miss?"

"Well now, I don't know but I might; I have worn it but three days, I
reckon."

"Oh, my! I should have reckoned that you carried it longer--perhaps it
rained on them three days."

"I've a notion it didn't rain, not one.--It's not the only bonnet I
have, miss."

"Well now, I should not mind an exchange, and paying you the _balance_."

"That's an awful thing that you have on, miss!"

"I rather think not, but that's as may be.--Come, miss, what will you
take?"

"Why I don't know,--what will you give?"

"I reckon you'll know best when you answer my question."

"Well then, I shouldn't like less than five dollars."

"Five dollars and my bonnet! I reckon two would be nearer the mark--but
it's of no consequence."

"None in the least, miss, only I know the value of my bonnet.--We'll say
no more about it."

"Just so, miss."

A pause and silence for half a minute, when Miss Plush, looks out of the
window, and says, as if talking to herself, "I shouldn't mind giving
four dollars, but no more." She then fell back in her s