approached nearer, some exclaimed, "the buildings in the new market are falling." Others said, "no, it is an earthquake, we can perceive the earth joggle." Others said, "not so, the sound proceeds from Hanover Street, and approaches nearer." This proved true, for presently Peter Rugg was in the midst of us.
"Alas, Jenny," said Peter, "I am ruined; our house has been burnt, and here are all our neighbors around the ruins. Heaven grant that your mother dame Rugg is safe." "They don't look like our neighbors," said Jenny, "but sure enough our house is burnt, and nothing left but the door stone and an old cedar post——do ask where mother is."
In the meantime more than a thousand men had surrounded Rugg and his horse and chair; yet neither Rugg personally, nor his horse and carriage attracted more attention than the auctioneer. The confident look and searching eye of Rugg, to every one present, carried more conviction that the estate was his, than could any parchment or paper with signature and seal. The impression which the auctioneer had just made on the company
