In imagination I could perceive these squatter ghosts waiting in solemn silence for the darkness of night to assemble together to howl away its gloom in deep lamentations over the loss of their money; or, like a tribe of witches, to stir up their boiling cauldron with direful incantations, over and anon sending forth horrific nightmares to drive away sweet and balmy slumber from the eyelids of the "land speculators" who had seduced them from their peaceful and happy homes in the East, to try their fortunes in the West.
It was during the height of this town-making mania that I chanced to be making a tour throughout the West. To one who is fond of the study of humanity in all its various phases, such an era and such a field of observation affords an infinite variety of amusement and instruction. I not only obtained an insight into pioneer life, and the modus operandi of land-speculators, but also had the rare good for tune to make the discovery that a weasel can be caught asleep.
But while I enter my protest against that nefarious scheme of town-making, I most cheerfully give my testimony in favor of the local advantages and flourishing prospects of the town of Glasgow, in the State of Missouri. I came in sight of this embryo city just as the last rays of the setting sun were illuminating the slope of the hill on which it is located. Although but three months old, it had its tavern, its store, its blacksmith-shop, and many other signs of prospority. Onward was written on its first page; and to sum up my impressions in a sentence, I mentally admitted it must flourish.
I have said Glasgow had its house of entertainment. This was true. But it was not to be recognized by any of those outward signs which ordinarily hang dangling before the door, doling out some favorite ditty of the passing breeze. Looking around me as I entered the town by the main road, and riding into the centre of an open square which was marked out by the houses on the four corners, I saluted a good-natured, broad-mouthed, honest-looking old darkie with
"How dy, uncle: is this the town of Glasgow?"
"Yes, Massa, dis am he."
"Thank you, uncle; which is the best hotel"
"Yah! yah! yah! what dat you say, Massa? Which am de best hotel?"
