“‘Over, over, over, going o-o-o-o-ver!’ to attract custom.

“Now came the most delightful part of the journey—­going from Troy to Buffalo upon the canal-boat.  There were two different kinds of boats that went between those cities; the packet-boats, carrying the mails and passengers but no freight, and the line-boats, which took both freight and passengers, and were consequently cheaper.  These were used by people like ourselves, who were moving from one part of the country to the other, with furniture, who wished to economize, and to whom time was no object; for the packet-boats travelled twice or thrice as rapidly as the line-boats.

“I think I never enjoyed myself so thoroughly when a child, as at that time.  My sisters and I were much petted by the captain and the passengers; and the excitement of being on the water, and the constant change of scene, kept up our spirits to the highest pitch.  Margaret, who was then four years old, was, I remember, an especial favorite on the boat; for she was extremely pretty, with her fragile, doll-like figure, her clear complexion, bright blue eyes, and reddish gold curls.  She inherited the family talent for spelling, and was very fond of displaying her accomplishments in that line; for sister Margaret was a very self-possessed little creature, and was afraid of no one—­not even of father himself.  I recollect that when the boat stopped at any small town to take on passengers, Margaret’s bright eyes would if possible discover a shop with the sign ‘Grocery;’ and then, going up to some one of her new friends, would gravely spell ’G-r-o, gro, c-e, ce, groce, r-y, ry, grocery;’ followed usually by an intimation that a reward of merit would be acceptable.  She was so extremely small for her age, that her achievement of spelling a three-syllable word was looked upon as something marvellous by the passengers, and some one would immediately take her ashore, and buy her some candy or fruit from the grocery.

“Another incident that impressed itself strongly upon me during this journey, was eating a peach for the first time.  I had never seen a peach in either New Hampshire or Vermont.

“But, during those long September days that we children spent running over the boat, and indulging in all sorts of wild mischief, poor mother had by no means an easy life.  It was impossible for her to keep us together and under her eyes; and what with the fear that we might fall overboard, or meet with some accident from the bridges, I know that she only looked forward to the time when the journey should be over, and we safe on land again.”

“The bridges, mamma!” said Marguerite, “to what danger were you exposed from them?”