Page:Winter - from the Journal of Henry D. Thoreau.djvu/282

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268
WINTER.

spice, . . . timber, iron, earthenware, etc., no tea (I am in doubt about one or two entries), nor coffee, nor meal, nor flour. Of the last two they probably raised all they wanted. Credit is frequently given for timber, and once for cloth brought to the store.

On the whole, it is remarkable how little provision was sold at the store. The inhabitants raised almost everything for themselves. Chocolate is sold once. Rum, salt, molasses, fish, a biscuit with their drink, a little spice and the like, are all that commonly come under this head that I remember. On a loose piece of paper . . . is Jonathan Dwight's (innholder's (?)) bill against the estate of Captain Ephraim Jones for entertainment, etc. (apparently he treated his company), at divers times for half a dozen years, amounting to over ₤146.—The people apparently made their own cloth and even thread, and hence for the most part bought only buttons and mohair and a few trimmings. . . .

Jan. 18th '42 (3) "John Melvin Cr. by 1 Grey fox 0-2-3."

Feb. 14 '42 (3) "Aaron Parker Cr. by 100 squirell skins 0-6-3." Deer skins were sold at from ten to seventeen shillings. Sometimes it is written "old " or "new tenor." Many of the customers came from as far as Harvard or much farther. . . .