Page:Familiar letters of Henry David Thoreau.djvu/192

 168 GOLDEN AGE OF ACHIEVEMENT. [1847,

fortunately, the day after cattle show the day after small beer he was among the missing, but not long this time. The Ethiopian cannot change his skin nor the leopard his spots, nor indeed Hugh his Hugh.

As I walked over Conantum, the other after noon, I saw a fair column of smoke rising from the woods directly over my house that was (as I judged), and already began to conjecture if my deed of sale would not be made invalid by this. But it turned out to be John Richardson s young wood, on the southeast of your field. It was burnt nearly all over, and up to the rails and the road. It was set on fire, no doubt, by the same Lucifer that lighted Brooks s lot be fore. So you see that your small lot is compar atively safe for this season, the back fire having been already set for you.

They have been choosing between John Keyes and Sam Staples, if the world wants to know it, as representative of this town, and Staples is chosen. The candidates for governor think of my writing this to you ! were Governor Briggs and General Gushing, and Briggs is elected, though the Democrats have gained. Ain t I a brave boy to know so much of politics for the nonce ? But I should n t have known it if Goombs hadn t told me. They have had a peace meeting here, I should n t think of