“Yes,” replied Forester, “only they make a great deal of sugar in Vermont out of the sap of the maple-tree.  We will go and see Mr. Warner’s sugar bush next spring.  But there are a great many things which the farmers must buy.  One of the most important articles is iron.  Now when a man concludes to open a store, the best place that he can have for his business is near the mills and the blacksmith’s shop; because the people have to come there on other business, and so that is the most convenient place for them to visit his store.  And so, by and by, when a carpenter and a mason come into the country, the little village which has thus begun to form itself, is the best place for them to settle in, for that is the place where people can most conveniently call and see them.  After a while a physician comes and settles there, to heal them when they are sick, and a lawyer to prevent disputes.”

“To prevent disputes!” said Marco.  Marco had not much idea of the nature of a lawyer’s business, but he had a sort of undefined and vague notion, that lawyers made disputes among men, and lived by them.

“Why, I know,” said Forester, laughing, “that lawyers have not the credit, generally, of preventing many disputes, but I believe they do.  Perhaps it is because I am going to be a lawyer myself.  But I really believe that lawyers prevent ten disputes, where they occasion one.”

“How do they do it?” asked Marco.

“Why, they make contracts, and draw up writings, and teach men to be clear and distinct in their engagements and bargains.  Then besides, when men will not pay their debts, they compel them to do it, by legal process.  And there are a vast many debts which are paid, for fear of this legal process, which would not have been paid without it.  Thus, knowing that the lawyers are always ready to apply the laws, men are much more careful not to break them, than they otherwise would be.  So that it is no doubt vastly for the benefit of a community, not only to have efficient laws, but efficient lawyers to aid in the execution of them.”

By this time, Forester and Marco had reached the part of the village where the mills were situated.  Forester showed Marco the dam.  It was supported by ledges of rocks on each bank, and there was a flume, which conducted the water to the wheels of the mills.  There were two mills and a machine-shop.  They went into the machine-shop.  There was a lathe here carried by water.  A man was at work at it, turning hoe handles.  Forester asked him what other articles were turned there; and he said posts for bedsteads, and rounds for chairs, and such other things as were used in quantities in that part of the country.  Forester asked him whether the lathe would turn brass and iron as well as wood; but he said it would not.  It was not fitted for that work.

“I suppose you might have a lathe here, to work in the metals,” said Forester.

“Yes,” replied the man, “but it would not be worth while.  There is very little of that kind of work wanted in this part of the country.”