Page:The Granite Monthly Volume 2.djvu/330

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��ITEMS AND INCIDENTS IN HOPKINTON.

��watched her progress. Seeing her safe- ly over, they made a practical adoption of the sentiment that the farther way around is the nearer way home and re- crossed the stream by the bridge be- low.

AN HYPERBOLE.

The use of figurative speech often implies expressions not subject to the narrow restrictions of simple prosaic interpretation. The intensity of emo- tion involved in the conception of a subject may sometimes engender an assertion which, while avoiding the as- cription of a false attribute, presents the substance of the theme in only a too strong natural light, thus speaking hyperbolically. In all times and plac- es the hyperbole has been recognized as a legitimate element of human lan- guage. Classical judgment has never been so inflexible as to deny the fervent soul the privilege of projecting its af- firmations a little beyond the bounda- ries of abstract reality. How could it ?

Many years ago there lived in this town a diligent knight of the lap-stone, the products of whose skill were of sufficient reputation to ensure him a decent activity in business. That a plain shoemaker should be able to in- dulge in a figure of speech that should impress itself upon the memory of future generations only proves how much talent is sometimes resident in humble situations. However, one day a citizen of recognized local promi- nence and influence called upon our friend, the shoemaker, and discussed the subject of a pair of new boots.

" Can you make a pair of boots that won't soak water?" asked the local patrician.

" Yes, sir," replied the humble dis- ciple of St. Crispin.

" Very well. Make me a pair of boots that won't soak water."

The measure was taken, the boots made, and the customer served. In a short time, bearing an expression of displeasure on his countenance, the citizen returned.

" Mr. Leathers, these boots are not satisfactory."

��"Why not?"

" They soak water badly. You agreed to furnish me a pair of tight boots."

" I think those you have must be tight ones."

" No, they are not."

The two began to argue with much earnestness. At length the customer insisted :

" They are the worst boots to soak water I ever had. You never saw such a pair of boots to soak water."

" I have seen a pair that soaked water worse than that," stoutly affirmed the shoemaker.

. " I would like to know if there was ever a pair of boots that would soak water worse than this," warmly replied the customer.

" Why," said the shoe maker, "I have seen a pair that soaked so badly that it would draw the water right up out of a well."

The point taken by the shoemaker was irresistible. The boots were con- veyed home again, and no further com- plaint was made or question asked.

love's object gained.

In a sparsely populated district, special gatherings are always of great general moment. In such a society, all legitimate causes of meeting enlist the popular attention. Be it politics, reform, or religion, the great common- alty is prepared to attest its interest.

This fact of widely distributed pop- ular life is always intensified in pioneer locations. In such, events which in other places are only local become territorial. The social ball once set rolling, it perambulates the extremest confines of adjacent domestic society.

On the 23d day of November, 1757, an ordination of a minister occurred in Hopkinton for the first time. In an- ticipation of the event, the hearts of the pioneer populace for many miles around were set agog. In expectation of a great gathering, the town made ample provisional arrangements. En- tertainment was voted to be prepared at no less than six different places — the homes of Aaron Kimball, Matthew Stanley, Stephen Hoyt, Peter How,

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