Walden: Former Inhabitants; and Winter V...

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Walden: Former Inhabitants; and Winter Visitors

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  • Version_B: Walden, Version B (1849)
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  • Version_D: Walden, Version D (1852)
  • Version_E: Walden, Version E (late 1852 - 1853)
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Former Inhabitants; and Winter Visitors
1
Former Inhabitants 1 written: F
E & F: "Former Inhabitants; and Winter Visitors" follows "Winter Animals" and precedes "The Pond in Winter." The title "Former Inhabitants" appears in pencil at the top of the leaf containing Former Inhabitants; and Winter Visitors 1, and "Winter Visitors" appears in pencil at the top of the leaf containing Former Inhabitants; and Winter Visitors 16.

(Ronald Clapper)
Before the winter was over I I I weathered some merry snow storms, and spent some cheerful winter evenings by my fire-side, while the snow whirled wildly about my house without without, without, and even the hooting of the owl was hushed. For many weeks I had scarcely a visitor and met no one in my walks but such as came occasionally to cut wood and sled it to the village Nature assisted me however to make The elements abetted me, however, in making The elements, however, abetted me. in making a path through the deepest snow in the woods, for when I had once gone through the wind blew the oak leaves into my tracks, where they lodged and by absorbing the rays of the sun melted the snow, and so only made a dry bed for my feet, but in the night their dark line was my guide. For many weeks I had scarcely a visitor and met no one in my walks but such as came occasionally to cut wood and sled it to the village For many weeks I met no one in my walks but those who came occasionally to cut wood and sled it to the village. The elements, however, abetted me in making a path through the deepest snow in the woods, for when I had once gone through the wind blew the oak leaves into my tracks, where they lodged, and by absorbing the rays of the sun melted the snow, and so not only made a my bed for my feet, but in the night their dark line was my guide. For many weeks I met no one in my walks but those who came occasionally to cut wood and sled it to the village. The elements, however, abetted me in making a path through the deepest snow in the woods, for when I had once gone through the wind blew the oak leaves into my tracks, where they lodged, and by absorbing the rays of the sun melted the snow, and so not only made a my bed for my feet, but in the night their dark line was my guide. For human society I was for the most part obliged to conjure up the spirits of obliged to conjure up obliged to conjure up the former occupants of these woods. Within the memory of many of my townsmen the woodland road road road near which my house stands resounded with the laugh and gossip of inhabitants, and the woods which border it were notched and dotted here and there with their little gardens and dwellings, though it was then much darker and more shut more shut more shut in by the forest than now. In many some some places, within my own own remembrance, the pines would scrape both sides of a chaise at once, and women and children who were compelled to go this way to Lincoln alone and on foot did it with fear and trembling fear, fear, and often ran a good part of the distance. Though mainly but a humble route to neighboring villages, or for the woodman's team, it once amused the traveller somewhat more more more than now by its variety, and perchance lingered lingered lingered longer in his memory. Where now firm open fields stretch from the village to the woods, the road it once then it then it then ran through a maple swamp on a foundation of logs, the remnants of which, doubtless, still underlie the present dusty highway, from the Stratton farm, now the Alms House, Farm Stratton, now the Alms House, Farm, Stratton, now the Alms House, Farm, to Brister’s Hill.
2
Former Inhabitants 2 written: E rewritten: F
E: The leaf containing Former Inhabitants; and Winter Visitors 2 begins with of Duncan Ingraham, Esquire, gentleman, of Concord Village; the beginning of Former Inhabitants; and Winter Visitors 2 (East of my bean-field, across the road, lived Cato Ingraham, slave) was apparently contained on a missing leaf. Cato’s half-obliterated cellar hole . . . grows there luxuriantly is interlined in pencil.

(Ronald Clapper)
East of my bean-field, across the road, across the road, across the road, across the road, lived Cato Ingraham, slave of Duncan Ingraham, Esquire, gentleman of Concord village, who built his slave a house, and gave him permission to live in Walden Woods;— Cato, not Uticensis, but Concordiensis. Cato, not Uticensis, but Concordiensis. Cato, not Uticensis, but Concordiensis. Cato, not Uticensis, but Concordiensis. Some say that he was a Guinea Negro. There are those those a few a few who remember his little patch among the walnuts, and the trees walnuts, and the trees walnuts, walnuts, which he let grow up till he should be old and need them; but a younger and whiter speculator got them at last. He too, however, occupies an equally narrow house at present. He, too, however, occupies an equally narrow house at present. He, too, however, occupies an equally narrow house at present. He, too, however, occupies an equally narrow house at present. His Cato’s Cato’s Cato’s Cato’s half-obliterated cellar hole still remains, though known to few, being concealed from the traveller by a fringe of pines. It is now filled with the smooth sumach ( Rhus glabra ), and one of the earliest species of golden-rod (Solidago stricta) (Solidago stricta) (Solidago stricta) grows there luxuriantly.
3
Former Inhabitants 3 written: E rewritten: F

(Ronald Clapper)
And here And here Here, Here, by the very corner of my field, still nearer to town, Zilpha, a colored woman, had her little house, where she spun linen for the townsfolk, making the Walden Woods ring with her shrill singing, for she had a loud and notable voice. At length, in the war of 1812, her dwelling was set on fire by English soldiers, prisoners on parole, when she was away, when she was away, when she was away, when she was away, and her cat and dog and hens were all burned up together. She led a hard life, and somewhat witch-like inhumane inhumane. inhumane. inhumane. One old frequenter of these woods remembers, that as he passed her house one noon he heard her muttering to herself over her gurgling pot,— "Ye are all bones, bones!" I have seen bricks amid the oak copse there. I have seen bricks amid the oak copse there. I have seen bricks amid the oak copse there. I have seen bricks amid the oak copse there.
4
Former Inhabitants 4 written: E rewritten: F

(Ronald Clapper)
And down And down Down Down the road, on the right hand, on Brister’s Hill, lived Brister Freeman, "a handy Negro," slave of Squire Cummings once,—there where grow still the apple-trees which Brister planted and tended; large old trees but now, but their fruit now, but their fruit now, but their fruit still wild and ciderish to my taste. Not long since I read his epitaph in the old old old old Lincoln burying-ground, a little on one side near the unmarked graves of the British grenadiers who fell in the retreat from Concord a little on one side, near the unmarked graves of the some British grenadiers who fell in the retreat from Concord a little on one side, near the unmarked graves of some British grenadiers who fell in the retreat from Concord, a little on one side, near the unmarked graves of some British grenadiers who fell in the retreat from Concord, —where he is styled "Sippio Brister,"—Scipio Africanus he had some title to be called,— "a man of color," as if he were discolored. It also told me, when he died, but that seemed but with staring emphasis, when he died, but that seemed which was but with staring emphasis, when he died; which was but with staring emphasis, when he died; which was but an indirect way of informing me that he ever lived. And there was too lived And there too lived With him dwelt With him dwelt With him dwelt Fenda, his hospitable wife, who told fortunes, yet pleasantly,—large, round, and black, blacker than any of the children of night, such a dusky orb as never rose on Concord before nor nor or or or since.
5
Former Inhabitants 5 written: E rewritten: F

(Ronald Clapper)
And further And further Farther Farther down the hill, upon the left upon the left on the left, on the left, on the old road in the woods, are marks of some homestead of the Stratton family; whose orchard once once once once covered all the slope of Brister’s Hill, now but was but was but was but was long since killed out by pitch-pines, but sill furnishing from their old roots excepting a few stumps, whose old roots furnish still excepting a few stumps, whose old roots furnish still excepting a few stumps, whose old roots furnish still excepting a few stumps, whose old roots furnish still the wild stocks of many a thrifty village tree.
6
Former Inhabitants 6 written: E rewritten: F
E: Former Inhabitants; and Winter Visitors 9a follows Former Inhabitants; and Winter Visitors 6.

(Ronald Clapper)
And nearer And nearer Nearer Nearer Nearer yet to town, you come to Breed’s location, on the other side of the way, just on the edge of the wood; just on the edge of the wood; just on the edge of the wood; But history must not yet tell the tragedies enacted there. Let time intervene in some measure to assuage and lend an azure tint to them Ground famous for the pranks of a demon not distinctly named in old mythology, but who has acted a prominent and astounding part in the stage of our New England life, and deserves better than any mythological character to have his biography written one day; who first comes in the guise of a friend or hired man and then invariably robs & murders the whole family.—New England Rum. But history must not yet tell the tragedies enacted there. Let time intervene in some measure to assuage and lend an azure tint to them turning them to myths ground famous for the pranks of a demon not distinctly named in old mythology, but who has acted a prominent and astounding part in the stage of our New England life, and deserves, better than as much as any mythological character, to have his biography written one day; who first comes in the guise of a friend, or hired man, and then invariably robs & murders the whole family,—New England Rum. But history must not yet tell the tragedies enacted there; let time intervene in some measure to assuage and lend an azure tint to them. —turning them to myths History does not begin to be poetic till she is justice ground famous for the pranks of a demon not distinctly named in old mythology, who has acted a prominent and astounding part in our New England life, and deserves, as much as any mythological character, to have his biography written one day; who first comes in the guise of a friend or hired man, and then robs and murders the whole family,—New-England Rum. But history must not yet tell the tragedies enacted here; let time intervene in some measure to assuage and lend an azure tint to them. ground famous for the pranks of a demon not distinctly named in old mythology, who has acted a prominent and astounding part in our New England life, and deserves, as much as any mythological character, to have his biography written one day; who first comes in the guise of a friend or hired man, and then robs and murders the whole family,—New-England Rum. But history must not yet tell the tragedies enacted here; let time intervene in some measure to assuage and lend an azure tint to them. Here the most indistinct and dubious tradition says that once a tavern stood; the well the same, which tempered the traveller's beverage and refreshed his steed & still the well-sweep makes a rider on the wall steed. steed. steed. Here then then then then men saluted once once one another one another, one another, and heard and told the news, and went their ways again.
7a
Former Inhabitants 7a written: F

(Ronald Clapper)
Breed’s hut was standing only a dozen years ago just on the edge of the wood ago, ago, though it had long been unoccupied. It was about the size of mine. It was set on fire by mischievous boys, one Election night, if I am not mistaken do not mistake. do not mistake. I lived on the edge of the village then, then, and had just lost myself over Davenant's Gondibert, that winter that I labored with a lethargy,—which, by the way, I never knew whether to regard as a family complaint, having an uncle who goes to sleep shaving himself, and is obliged to sprout potatoes in a cellar on Sundays Sundays, Sundays, in order to keep awake and keep the Sabbath, or as the consequence of my attempt to read Chalmers’ collection of English poetry without skipping. It fairly overcame my Nervii. It fairly overcame my Nervii. It fairly overcame my Nervii. —well I I I had just sunk my head on this when the bells rang rung rung fire, and in hot haste the engines rolled that way, led by a straggling troop of men and boys, and I among the foremost, for I had leaped the brook. We thought it was far south over the woods,—we who had run to fires before,—barn, shop, or dwelling-house, or all together. "It’s Baker’s barn," cried one. "It is the Codman place," affirmed another. And now then then fresh sparks went up above the wood, as if the roof fell in, and we all shouted "Concord to the rescue!" Wagons shot past with furious speed and crushing loads, bearing, perchance, among the rest, the agent of the Insurance Company, who was bound to go however far; and ever and anon the engine bell tinkled in the rear behind behind, behind, more slow and sure, and rearmost of all, as it was afterward whispered, came they who set the fire and gave the alarm. Thus we kept on like true idealists, rejecting the evidence of our senses, until at a turn in the road we heard the crackling and actually 7b
Former Inhabitants 7b written: E rewritten: F
E: Former Inhabitants; and Winter Visitors 7b follows a missing leaf.
E: A fair copy was made of only but concluded to let it burn . . . Indians are to powder.

(Ronald Clapper)
felt the heat of the fire from over the wall, and realized, alas! that we were there. The very nearness of the fire had but but but but cooled our ardor. At first we thought to throw a frog-pond on to it; but concluded to let it burn, it was so far gone and so worthless. So we stood round our tub engine & jostled engine, jostled engine, jostled engine, jostled one another, expressed our sentiments through speaking trumpets, or in lower tone referred to the great conflagrations which the world has witnessed, including Bascom’s shop, and, between ourselves, we thought that, were we there in season with our "tub", and a full frog-pond by, we could turn that threatened last and universal one into another flood. We finally retreated without doing any harmings & without the prospect of a civil card or of hot chocolate,—returned to sleep & Gondibert We finally retreated without not doing any mischief,—without any prospect ever of a civil card or of hot chocolate,—returned to sleep and "Gondibert" We finally retreated without doing any mischief,—returned to sleep and Gondibert. We finally retreated without doing any mischief,—returned to sleep and Gondibert. But as for Gondibert, I would except that passage in the preface about wit being the soul’s powder,—"but most of mankind are strangers to wit, as Indians are to powder." But as for Gondibert, I would except that passage in the preface about wit being the soul’s powder,—"but most of mankind are strangers to wit, as Indians are to powder." But as for Gondibert, I would except that passage in the preface about wit being the soul’s powder,—"but most of mankind are strangers to wit, as Indians are to powder." But as for Gondibert, I would except that passage in the preface about wit being the soul’s powder,—"but most of mankind are strangers to wit, as Indians are to powder."
8a
Former Inhabitants 8a written: E rewritten: F

(Ronald Clapper)
It chanced that I walked this way this that way that way that way across the fields the following night, about the same hour, and hearing a low moaning at this spot, I approached approached drew near drew near drew near in the dark, and discovered the only survivor of the family that I know, the heir of both its virtues and its vices, who alone was interested in this event event burning burning, burning, lying on his stomach and looking over the cellar wall at the still smouldering cinders beneath, muttering to himself, as is his wont for he has a strange habit of talking aloud as it were to himself after you are gone by wont for he has a strange habit of talking aloud as it were to himself after you are gone by wont. wont. He had been working far off in the river meadows all day, and had improved the first moments that he could call his own to visit the home of his fathers and his youth. He gazed into the small cellar small cellar cellar cellar from all sides and points of view by turns, always lying down to it, always lying down to it, as if there was some treasure, which he remembered, which he remembered, which he remembered, concealed between the stones, where there was absolutely nothing but a heap of bricks and ashes. The house being gone, he looked at what there was left. The house being gone, he looked at what there was left. The house being gone, he looked at what there was left. He appeared to be He appeared to be was He was He was soothed by the sympathy which my mere presence implied, and showed me, as well as the darkness permitted, where the well was covered under the sod up up; up; up; which, thank Heaven, could never be burned; and he groped long upon about about about the wall to find the well-sweep which his father had cut and mounted, feeling for the iron hook or staple by which a burden had been fastened to the heavy end, to from the chain that hung or staple by which a burden had been fastened to the heavy end or staple by which a burden had been fastened to the heavy end, or staple by which a burden had been fastened to the heavy end, or staple by which a burden had been fastened to the heavy end, —all that he could now cling to,—to convince me that it was no common 8b
Former Inhabitants 8b written: F

(Ronald Clapper)
"rider." I felt it, and still remark it almost daily in my walks, for by it hangs the history of a family. I have even though[t] to make a drawing of it for the Smithsonian Institution for it had a peculiar curve, not to be paralleled by any that I know, whether it was so designed by the maker or got a twist in the September Gale. Breed was a barber in Concord village who kept his patrons awake by his wit. He had for neighbor a tailor who thought himself above him it is said, but was thus punished by Breed’s muse,
"Tailoring & barbering done with speed
By John C. Newall & John C. Breed."
This is from my collection of old Concord poetry which contains also some scraps from the works of Jim Davis the fiddler, but has nothing in it so long nor so dull as Gondibert—, however, I would except that passage in the preface to the latter about wit being the soul’s powder
family. family.
9a
Former Inhabitants 9a written: E rewritten: F

(Ronald Clapper)
And once And once Once Once more, on the left, where are seen the well and lilac bushes by the wall, in the now open field 9b
Former Inhabitants 9b written: F

(Ronald Clapper)
lived Nutting and Le Grosse. But to return toward Lincoln. But to return toward Lincoln. But to return toward Lincoln.
10a
Former Inhabitants 10a written: F

(Ronald Clapper)
But further Farther Farther in the woods than any of these, where the road approaches nearest to the pond, Wyman the potter squatted, and furnished his towns- 10b
Former Inhabitants 10b written: A rewritten: F
A: Former Inhabitants; and Winter Visitors 10b, 12, 13, 14, 15b, and Pond in Winter 3a appear on two leaves (#189-191) which are preceded by three missing leaves (# 183-187) and followed by four missing leaves (#193-199). Leaf # 181, just before the three missing leaves, contains Winter Animals 14b, Winter Animals 15, and Pond in Winter 16a; leaf #201, just after the four missing leaves, contains Spring 1c, Ponds 13, and Pond in Winter 6a and Pond in Winter 8.

(Ronald Clapper)
-men with earthen ware, and left descendants to succeed him. I was pleased when in mid-summer— Neither were they rich in worldly goods who but held the land by right of long possession & there oft the sheriff came for form’s sake & "attached a chip" as I have read in his accounts I was pleased when in mid-summer— Neither were they rich in worldly goods who but held the land by right of long possession & there oft the sheriff came for form’s sake & "attached a chip" as I have read in his accounts I was pleased when in mid-summer— Neither were they rich in worldly goods who but held the land by right of long possession & there oft the sheriff came for form’s sake & "attached a chip" as I have read in his accounts I was pleased when in mid-summer— Neither were they rich in worldly goods who but held the land by right of long possession & there oft the sheriff came for form’s sake & "attached a chip" as I have read in his accounts I was pleased when in mid-summer— Neither were they rich in worldly goods who but held the land by right of long possession & there oft the sheriff came for form’s sake & "attached a chip" as I have read in his accounts Neither were they They were not Neither were they rich in worldly goods but held holding the land by possession sufferance while they lived, and there often the sheriff came in vain to collect the taxes and "attach a chip" for form’s sake, as I have read in his accounts, there being nothing else that he could lay his hands upon on Neither were they rich in worldly goods, holding the land by sufferance while they lived; and there often the sheriff came in vain to collect the taxes, and "attached a chip," for form’s sake, as I have read in his accounts, there being nothing else that he could lay his hands on. Neither were they rich in worldly goods, holding the land by sufferance while they lived; and there often the sheriff came in vain to collect the taxes, and "attached a chip," for form’s sake, as I have read in his accounts, there being nothing else that he could lay his hands on. One day in midsummer, when I was hoeing, One day in midsummer, when I was hoeing, One day in midsummer, when I was hoeing, One day in midsummer, when I was hoeing, One day in midsummer, when I was hoeing, One day in midsummer, when I was hoeing, One day in midsummer, when I was hoeing, One day in midsummer, when I was hoeing, a man who was carrying a load of pottery to market stopped his horse against my field and inquired concerning Wyman the younger. the younger. He said that he had had had had had had had had long ago bought a potter’s wheel of him, and wished to know what had become of him. I had heard read read read read read read read read of the potter’s clay and wheel in Scripture, but I thought that latterly such as we used had either the pots we used were either such as had come down unbroken from those days—or that they grew on trees like gourds somewhere and I was pleased to hear that so artful & fictile an art was ever practised in my neighborhood it had never occurred to me that the pots we use were not such as had come down unbroken from those days, or grown on trees like gourds somewhere, and I was pleased to hear that so fictile an art was ever practised in my neighborhood. it had never occurred to me that the pots we use were not such as had come down unbroken from those days, or grown on trees like gourds somewhere, and I was pleased to hear that so fictile an art was ever practised in my neighborhood. it had never occurred to me that the pots we use were not such as had come down unbroken from those days, or grown on trees like gourds somewhere, and I was pleased to hear that so fictile an art was ever practised in my neighborhood. it had never occurred to me that the pots we use were not such as had come down unbroken from those days, or grown on trees like gourds somewhere, and I was pleased to hear that so fictile an art was ever practised in my neighborhood. it had never occurred to me that the pots we use were not such as had come down unbroken from those days, or grown on trees like gourds somewhere, and I was pleased to hear that so fictile an art was ever practised in my neighborhood. it had never occurred to me that the pots we use were not such as had come down unbroken from those days, or grown on trees like gourds somewhere, and I was pleased to hear that so fictile an art was ever practised in my neighborhood. it had never occurred to me that the pots we use were not such as had come down unbroken from those days, or grown on trees like gourds somewhere, and I was pleased to hear that so fictile an art was ever practised in my neighborhood.
11a
Former Inhabitants 11a written: F

(Ronald Clapper)
The last inhabitant of these woods before me was Hugh Coil an Irishman Hugh Quoil—(if I have spelt his name with coil enough) an Irishman, Hugh Quoil, (if I have spelt his name with coil enough,) an Irishman, Hugh Quoil, (if I have spelt his name with coil enough,) who occupied Wyman's tenement,— Col. Quoil, he was called. Rumor said that he had been a soldier at Waterloo. If he had lived I should have made him fight his battles over again. His trade here was that of a ditcher. Napoleon went to St. Helena; Quoil came to Walden Woods. All I know of him is tragic. I have noticed that there is always something pathetic in the sedentary life of men who have travelled. I remember him as He was He was He was a man of manners, like one who had seen the world, and was capable of more civil speech than you could well attend to. He wore a greatcoat in mid-summer, being affected with the trembling delirium, and his being affected with a strange the trembling delirium His being affected with the trembling delirium, and his being affected with the trembling delirium, and his face was the color of carmine. He died in the road at the foot of Brister’s Hill shortly after I came to the woods, & "There he lay," as men who found him said, looking taller than in life" with the key of his house in his pocket . so that I have not remembered him as a neighbor. so that I have not remembered him as a neighbor. Before his house was pulled down, when his comrades avoided it as "an unlucky castle," I visited it. There lay his old clothes curled up by habit use, use, as if they were himself, upon his raised plank bed. 11b
Former Inhabitants 11b written: E rewritten: F

(Ronald Clapper)
His pipe lay broken on the hearth, instead of a bowl broken at the fountain. The last could never have been the symbol of his death, For he never visited the fountain, but he confessed to me that though he had heard of Bristol’s spring he never saw it for he never visited the fountain, but he confessed to me that though he had heard of Brister’s Spring he had never seen it for he confessed to me that, though he had heard of Brister’s Spring, he had never seen it; for he confessed to me that, though he had heard of Brister’s Spring, he had never seen it; and soiled cards, kings of diamonds spades and hearts, were scattered over the floor. One black chicken which the administrator could not catch, black as night and as silent, not even croaking, awaiting Reynard, still went 11c
Former Inhabitants 11c written: B rewritten: E, F

(Ronald Clapper)
to roost in the next apartment. In the rear there was the dim outline of a garden, which had been planted but had never received its first hoeing, owing to those terrible shaking fits, owing to those terrible shaking fits, owing to those terrible shaking fits, though it was now harvest time. though it was now harvest time. though it was now harvest time. though it was now harvest time. though it was now harvest time. though it was now harvest time. though it was now harvest time. now all overgrown with weeds with burrs and cackles which stuck to your clothes for all fruit—as if in the spring he had contemplated a harvest of corn & beans—before that strange trembling of the limbs overtook him now all overgrown with weeds with burrs and cackles which stuck to your clothes for all fruit—as if in the spring he had contemplated a harvest of corn & beans—before that strange trembling of the limbs overtook him now all overgrown with weeds with burrs and cackles which stuck to your clothes for all fruit—as if in the spring he had contemplated a harvest of corn & beans—before that strange trembling of the limbs overtook him overgrown with weeds, with burrs & cackles which but was overgrown with Roman wormwood and beggar ticks, which last stuck to your clothes for all fruit but was overgrown with Roman wormwood and beggar ticks, which last stuck to your my clothes for all fruit It was over-run with Roman wormwood and beggar-ticks, which last stuck to my clothes for all fruit. It was over-run with Roman wormwood and beggar-ticks, which last stuck to my clothes for all fruit. The skin of a woodchuck which met once in his bean field perchance by the Waterloo man with uplifted hoe— woodchuck woodchuck woodchuck woodchuck woodchuck woodchuck was freshly stretched upon the back of the house, a trophy of one of the last battles which he fought a trophy of his last Waterloo; a trophy of his last Waterloo; But no warm nor or mittens will did he want more longer more But no warm nor or mittens will did he want more longer more But no warm nor or mittens will did he want more longer more but no warm cap or mittens would he want more whichever place he were gone to but no warm cap or mittens would he want more. but no warm cap or mittens would he want more. but no warm cap or mittens would he want more.
12
Former Inhabitants 12 written: A rewritten: E, F
E & F: A fair copy was made of only Now only a dent in the earth . . . the stir and bustle of human life.

(Ronald Clapper)
Now only a dent in the earth marks the site of most of these these these these these these these these dwellings, with buried wall cellar cellar cellar cellar cellar cellar cellar cellar stones, and strawberries, raspberries, thimbleberries & sumachs thimble-berries, hazel-bushes, and sumachs thimble-berries, hazel-bushes, and sumachs thimble-berries, hazel-bushes, and sumachs thimble-berries, hazel-bushes, and sumachs thimble-berries, hazel-bushes, and sumachs thimble-berries, hazel-bushes, and sumachs thimble-berries, hazel-bushes, and sumachs growing in the sunny sward there; some pitchy pine pitchy pine pitchy pine pitchy pine pitchy pine pitch-pine pitch-pine pitch-pine or gnarled oak in the chimney nook—and the sweet scented black birch occupies what was the chimney nook, and a sweet-scented black-birch, perhaps, occupies what was the chimney nook, and a sweet-scented black-birch, perhaps, occupies what was the chimney nook, and a sweet-scented black-birch, perhaps, occupies what was the chimney nook, and a sweet-scented black-birch, perhaps, occupies what was the chimney nook, and a sweet-scented black-birch, perhaps, occupies what was the chimney nook, and a sweet-scented black-birch, perhaps, occupies what was the chimney nook, and a sweet-scented black-birch, perhaps, waves where the door-stone was. Sometimes the well dent is visible, where once a spring oozed; now dry and tearless grass; or it was it is was it was it was it was it was it was it was it was covered deep,—not to be discovered till some late day,—with a flat stone under the sod, when the last of the race departed. What a sorrowful time must that be—the covering up of wells.—commensurate with the opening of wells of tears What a sorrowful time must that be—the covering up of wells.—commensurate with the opening of wells of tears What a sorrowful time must that be—the covering up of wells.—commensurate with the opening of wells of tears What a sorrowful time must that be—the covering up of wells.—commensurate with the opening of wells of tears What a sorrowful time must that be—the covering up of wells! contemporaneous with the opening of wells of tears. These dents like deserted fox-burrows—old holes—are all that is left where once was the stir and bustle of human life, and man’s destiny was being consummated Wells must be among the oldest monuments of civilized and semibarbarous man on the globe The white man still resorts to springs which were stored up by the Indians. Little thinks of this does the millionaire think of this when he incloses them one within a costly curb. One must forget himself & his age to remember how old may be the most ancient well which men use today—coeval almost with this the race. So from the first the poets have derived their inspiration from a few old wells on the mountain of the muses. None digs Few dig anew—but though some drink deeper than their brothers brethren. But I trust that in this new country many wells are yet to be dug What a sorrowful time act must that be,—the covering up of wells! coincident with the opening of wells of tears Wells must be among the oldest monuments of man on the globe. The white man hereabouts still resorts to springs which were stored up by the Indians. Little does the millionaire country squire think of this when he incloses one within a costly curb. One must forget himself & his age to remember how old may be the most ancient well which men use today—coeval almost with the race. So from the first poets have derived their inspiration from a few old wells on the mountain of the muses. Few dig anew, though some drink deeper than their brethren. What a sorrowful act must that be,—the covering up of wells! coincident with the opening of wells of tears. What a sorrowful act must that be,—the covering up of wells! coincident with the opening of wells of tears. These cellar cellar cellar cellar cellar cellar cellar dents, like deserted fox burrows, old holes, are all that is left where once was was was was was was were were the stir and bustle of human life, and man’s destiny was being consummated life, and man’s destiny was being consummated life, and man’s destiny was being consummated life, and man’s destiny was being consummated life, and man’s destiny was being consummated life, and man’s destiny was being consummated life, life, and "fate, free-will, foreknowledge absolute," in some form and form and form and form and form and form and form and dialect or other were all in by by by by by by by by turns discussed. Cato and Brister—as tradition says—pulled wool Yet all I can distinctly learn of their compeers is that "Cato and Brister pulled wool" But all I can learn of their conclusions amounts to just this, that "Cato and Brister pulled wool;" But all I can learn of their conclusions amounts to just this, that "Cato and Brister pulled wool;" But all I can learn of their conclusions amounts to just this, that "Cato and Brister pulled wool;" But all I can learn of their conclusions amounts to just this, that "Cato and Brister pulled wool;" But all I can learn of their conclusions amounts to just this, that "Cato and Brister pulled wool;" But all I can learn of their conclusions amounts to just this, that "Cato and Brister pulled wool;" But all I can learn of their conclusions amounts to just this, that "Cato and Brister pulled wool;" which is about as edifying as the history of more famous schools of philosophy. which is about as edifying as the history of more famous schools of philosophy. which is about as edifying as the history of more famous schools of philosophy. which is about as edifying as the history of more famous schools of philosophy. which is about as edifying as the history of more famous schools of philosophy. which is about as edifying as the history of more famous schools of philosophy. which is about as edifying as the history of more famous schools of philosophy. which is about as edifying as the history of more famous schools of philosophy.
13
Former Inhabitants 13 written: A rewritten: B
B: A fair copy was made of only so, and outlive them . . . tender, civil, cheerful, lilac colors.

(Ronald Clapper)
Still grows the vivacious lilac a generation after the door and lintel and the sill are gone, unfolding its early sweet-scented blossom in the each sweet-scented flowers each sweet-scented flowers each sweet-scented flowers each sweet-scented flowers each sweet-scented flowers each sweet-scented flowers each sweet-scented flowers each spring, to be plucked by the musing traveller; planted and tended once by children's hands, in a front-yard plot front-yard plots, front-yard plots, front-yard plots, front-yard plots, front-yard plots, front-yard plots, front-yard plots, —now standing by wall-sides in retired pastures, and giving place to new-rising forests;— the last of that stirp, sole survivor of that family. Little did the dusky children think that the little puny puny puny puny puny puny puny slip with its two eyes only, which they stuck in the ground in the shadow of the house and daily watered, would root itself so, and outlive them and house itself in the rear that shaded it, and grown man’s garden and orchard, and tell their story faintly faintly faintly faintly faintly faintly faintly to the lone wanderer a half century after they were dead were dead had grown up & died had grown up and died, had grown up and died, had grown up and died, had grown up and died, had grown up and died, had grown up and died, —blossoming as fair, and and and and and and smelling as sweet, as in that first spring. I mark its still tender, civil, cheerful, lilac colors.
14
Former Inhabitants 14 written: A rewritten: B, E
E: A fair copy was made of only basket, stable-broom, mat-making . . . the oldest in the hamlet.

(Ronald Clapper)
But this small village, germ of something more, why did it fail while Concord grows apace keeps its ground keeps its ground? keeps its ground? keeps its ground? keeps its ground? keeps its ground? keeps its ground? keeps its ground? Were there no natural advantages,—no water privileges, forsooth? Aye—only Aye—only Ay, Ay, Ay, Ay, Ay, Ay, the deep Walden Pond and cool Brister’s Spring,— privilege to drink long and healthy draughts at these, all unimproved by these men but to dilute their glass. They were universally a thirsty race. Might not the basket, stable-broom, mat-making, corn-parching, linen-spinning, and pottery business have thrived here, making the wilderness to bloom—and a numerous posterity have inherited the land of their ancestors blossom, and a numerous posterity have inherited the land of their ancestors blossom, and a numerous posterity have inherited the land of their ancestors blossom, and a numerous posterity have inherited the land of their ancestors blossom like the rose, and a numerous posterity have inherited the land of their ancestors blossom like the rose, and a numerous posterity have inherited the land of their fathers? blossom like the rose, and a numerous posterity have inherited the land of their fathers? blossom like the rose, and a numerous posterity have inherited the land of their fathers? The sterile soil would at least have been proof against a low-land degeneracy. Alas how little does the memory of these human inhabitants enhance by association the beauty of the landscape Alas! how little does the memory of these human inhabitants enhance the beauty of the landscape! Alas! how little does the memory of these human inhabitants enhance the beauty of the landscape! Alas! how little does the memory of these human inhabitants enhance the beauty of the landscape! Alas! how little does the memory of these human inhabitants enhance the beauty of the landscape! Alas! how little does the memory of these human inhabitants enhance the beauty of the landscape! Alas! how little does the memory of these human inhabitants enhance the beauty of the landscape! Again, perhaps, Nature will try, with me for a first settler, and my house raised two springs ago two springs ago last spring last spring last spring last spring last spring last spring to be the oldest in the hamlet.
15
Former Inhabitants 15 written: A rewritten: B, E
A, B, & E: I am not aware that any man . . . the earth itself will be destroyed does not appear in A or B or in the original copying of E but is interlined in pencil in E.

(Ronald Clapper)
But, thank heavens, I am not aware that any man had has ever built on the spot which I occupied occupy But, thank heavens, I am not aware that any man had has ever built on the spot which I occupied occupy But, thank heavens, I am not aware that any man had has ever built on the spot which I occupied occupy But, thank heavens, I am not aware that any man had has ever built on the spot which I occupied occupy But, thank heavens, I am not aware that any man had has ever built on the spot which I occupied occupy I am not aware that any man has ever built on the spot which I occupy. I am not aware that any man has ever built on the spot which I occupy. I am not aware that any man has ever built on the spot which I occupy. Deliver me from a city built on the site of a more ancient city, whose materials are ruins, whose gardens cemeteries. whose materials are ruins, whose gardens cemeteries. whose materials are ruins, whose gardens cemeteries. whose materials are ruins, whose gardens cemeteries. whose materials are ruins, whose gardens cemeteries. whose materials are ruins, whose gardens cemeteries. whose materials are ruins, whose gardens cemeteries. whose materials are ruins, whose gardens cemeteries. The soil is blanched and accursed there, and before that becomes necessary the earth itself will be destroyed. And with such thoughts as these I And with such thoughts reminiscences as these I repeopled the woods & And with such thoughts reminiscences as these I repeopled the woods & And with such thoughts reminiscences as these I repeopled the woods & With such reminiscences as these I repeopled the woods and With such reminiscences I repeopled the woods and With such reminiscences I repeopled the woods and With such reminiscences I repeopled the woods and lulled myself asleep.
16
Former Inhabitants 16 written: B rewritten: E
B: Former Inhabitants; and Winter Visitors 16 is interlined in pencil.

(Ronald Clapper)
In the winter my visitors were few & far between In the winter my visitors were few & far between In the winter my visitors were few & far between In the winter my visitors were few & far between At this season I seldom had a visitor. At this season I seldom had a visitor. At this season I seldom had a visitor. When the snow lay deepest on the ground deepest deepest deepest deepest deepest deepest no wanderer ventured near my house for a week or fortnight at a time, but there I lived as snug as a meadow mouse, As or as or as or as or as or as or as cattle and poultry which are said to which are said to which are said to which are said to have survived for a long time when buried buried buried buried buried buried buried in drifts, even without food; Even Or even or or or or or or like that early settler’s family in the town of Sutton, in this state, in this state, in this state, in this state, whose cottage was completely covered in by by by by by by by the great snow of 1717 when he was absent, when he was absent, when he was absent, when he was absent, when he was absent, when he was absent, when he was absent, and an Indian found it only by the hole which the chimney’s breath made in the snow drift drift, drift, drift, drift, drift, drift, & carried relief to his family and so relieved the family. and so relieved the family. and so relieved the family. But no friendly Indian concerned himself about me; nor needed he, for the master of the house was at home. The Great Snow! How How How How How How cheerful it is to hear of! cheerful it is to hear of! cheerful it is to hear of! cheerful it is to hear of! cheerful it is to hear of! cheerful it is to hear of! cheerful it is to hear of! When the farmers could not get to the woods and swamps with their teams, and were obliged to cut down the shade trees before their houses to keep their fires agoing houses, houses, houses, houses, houses, houses, and when the crust was harder they cut they cut they cut they cut cut cut cut off the trees in the swamps ten feet from the ground, as the next summer it appeared the next summer it appeared the next summer it appeared as the next summer it appeared the next spring it appeared the next spring. it appeared the next spring. it appeared the next spring.
17
Former Inhabitants 17 written: E

(Ronald Clapper)
In the deepest snows, the path which I used which I used which I used which I used from the highway to my house, about half a mile long, might have been represented by a meandering dotted line, with wide intervals between the dots. For a week of even weather I took exactly the same number of steps, and of the same length, coming and going, stepping deliberately and with the precision of a pair of dividers in my own deep tracks,— a remarkable instance of routine to such routine the winter reduces us to such routine the winter reduces us, to such routine the winter reduces us, to such routine the winter reduces us, —yet often often often often they were filled with heaven’s own blue. But But But But no weather interfered fatally fatally fatally fatally with my walks, or rather my going abroad, for I frequently tramped eight or ten miles through the deepest snow to keep an appointment with a beech-tree, or a yellow-birch, or an old acquaintance among the pines; when the ice and snow causing their limbs to droop, and so sharpening their tops, had changed the pines into fir-trees; wading to the tops of the highest hills when the show was nearly 2 or 3 nearly two nearly two nearly two feet deep on a level, and shaking down down down another snow-storm on my head at every step; or sometimes creeping artly creeping partly floundering thither creeping & floundering thither creeping and floundering thither creeping and floundering thither creeping and floundering thither on my hands and knees, when the hunters had gone into winter quarters. Sometimes One afternoon—in my walks One afternoon One afternoon One afternoon I amused myself by watching a barred owl ( ) Strix nebulosa (Strix nebulosa) (Strix nebulosa) (Strix nebulosa) sitting perchance sitting sitting sitting on one of the lower dead limbs of a white-pine, close to the trunk, in broad daylight, I standing within a rod of him , in the deep snow him. him. him. He could hear me when I moved and cronched the snow with my feet, but could not plainly see me there me. me. me. When I made most noise he would stretch out his neck, and erect his neck feathers, and open his eyes wide; but his lids would soon fall their lids soon fell their lids soon fell their lids soon fell their lids soon fell again, and he would begin began began began began to nod. I too felt a slumberous influence after watching him there for half an hour, as he sat thus half an hour, as he sat thus half an hour, as he sat thus half an hour, as he sat thus with his eyes half open, like a cat, winged brother of the cat. There was only a narrow slit left between his their their their their lids, by which be preserved a peninsular relation to me; thus, with half-shut eyes, looking out from the land of dreams, and endeavoring to realize me, vague object or mote that interrupted his visions. At length, on some louder noise or my nearer approach, he would grow uneasy and sluggishly turn about on his perch, as if impatient at having his dreams disturbed; and when he launched himself off and flapped through the pines, spreading his wings to unexpected breadth, I could not hear the slightest sound from them. Thus, guided amid the pine boughs rather by a delicate sense of their neighborhood than by sight, feeling his twilight way as it were with his sensitive pinions as it were with his sensitive pinions, as it were with his sensitive pinions, as it were with his sensitive pinions, he found a new perch among the pines perch, perch, perch, where he might in peace await the dawning of his day.
18
Former Inhabitants 18 written: E rewritten: F
F: A fair copy was made of only And when I returned new drifts would have formed . . . awaited the return of spring.

(Ronald Clapper)
As I walked over over over over the long causeway made for the railroad through the meadows, I encountered many a blustering and nipping wind, for nowhere has it freer play; for nowhere has it freer play; for nowhere has it freer play; for nowhere has it freer play; and when the frost had smitten me on one cheek, heathen as I was, I often turned turned turned turned to it the other also. Nor was it much better by the carriage road from Brister’s Hill. Nor was it much better by the carriage road from Brister’s Hill. Nor was it much better by the carriage road from Brister’s Hill. Nor was it much better by the carriage road from Brister’s Hill. For I came to town still, like a friendly Indian, when the contents of the broad open fields were all piled up between the walls of the Walden road, and half an hour sufficed to obliterate the tracks of the last traveller. And when I returned from town returned from town returned returned new drifts would have formed, through which I floundered, where the busy north-west wind had been depositing the powdery snow round a sharp angle in the road, and not a rabbit’s track, nor even the fine print, the small type, of a deer mouse was to be seen. Yet I never rarely rarely rarely rarely failed to find, even in mid-winter, some warm and springy swamp where the grass and the skunk-cabbage still put forth with perennial vigor, & the robin & the lark awaited the return of summer vigor verdure, and the robin & the lark a robin or a lark occasionally awaited the return of summer spring verdure, and some hardier bird occasionally awaited the return of spring. verdure, and some hardier bird occasionally awaited the return of spring.
19
Former Inhabitants 19 written: E rewritten: F

(Ronald Clapper)
But sometimes notwithstanding the snow, sometimes when I returned from a floundering But sometimes, notwithstanding the snow, when I returned from a floundering my Sometimes, notwithstanding the snow, when I returned from my Sometimes, notwithstanding the snow, when I returned from my walk at evening I crossed the deep tracks of a leading from my door, and found his pile of whittlings on the hearth, and my house filled with the odor of his pipe. Or on a Sunday afternoon, if I chanced to be at home, if I chanced to be at home, if I chanced to be at home, if I chanced to be at home, I heard the cronching of the snow made by the step of a long-headed farmer, who from far through the woods sought my house, to have a social "crack;" the only one one of the few of his fraternity profession that I have chanced to know who habitually overlooked his employment; who are still men on their farms rather than farmers instead of assuming a professor’s gown had he donned a frock and uttered his fatal criticism with more freedom from beneath it as ready to extract his moral of church or state as to haul a load of muck from the meadow one of the few of his profession that I have chanced to know who are still men on their farms. Instead of assuming a professor’s gown, he donned a frock, and utters his fatal criticism from beneath it are "men on their farms;" not yet changed into compost, who donned a frock, instead of a professor’s gown, but is as ready to extract the moral out of church or state as to haul a load of muck from the meadow manure from his barn-yard one of the few of his vocation who are "men on their farms;" who donned a frock instead of a professor’s gown, and is as ready to extract the moral out of church or state as to haul a load of manure from his barn-yard. one of the few of his vocation who are "men on their farms;" who donned a frock instead of a professor’s gown, and is as ready to extract the moral out of church or state as to haul a load of manure from his barn-yard. We talked of rude and simple times, when men sat about large fires in cold bracing weather, with clear heads; and when other dessert failed, We talked of rude and simple times, when men sat about large fires in cold bracing weather, with clear heads; and when other dessert failed, We talked of rude and simple times, when men sat about large fires in cold bracing weather, with clear heads; and when other dessert failed, We talked of rude and simple times, when men sat about large fires in cold bracing weather, with clear heads; and when other dessert failed, we tried our teeth on many a nut which wise squirrels had had have have have long since abandoned, for those which have the hardest and thickest hardest and thickest thickest thickest shells are commonly empty.
20
Former Inhabitants 20 written: E rewritten: F
F: A fair copy was made of only The one who came from farthest . . . when doctors sleep. We made that small.

(Ronald Clapper)
The one who came from farthest to my lodge, through deepest snows and most dismal tempests, was a poet. A farmer, a hunter, a soldier, a reporter, even a philosopher, may be daunted; but nothing can deter a poet, for he is actuated by pure love. for he is actuated by pure love. for he is actuated by pure love. Who can predict his comings and goings? His business calls him out at all hours, even when doctors sleep. We made that small house ring with boisterous mirth and resound with the murmur of much sober talk, We made making making making making amends then to Walden vale for that long silence the long silences the long silences. the long silences. the long silences. Broadway was then silent still still still still and deserted in comparison. At suitable intervals there were regular salutes of laughter, which might have been referred indifferently to the last uttered or the forth-coming jest. We made many a "bran new" theory of life over a thin dish of gruel, which combined the advantages of conviviality with the clear-headedness which philosophy requires.
21a
Former Inhabitants 21a written: E rewritten: G

(Ronald Clapper)
I should not forget that during my last winter at the pond there was another welcome visitor, who at one time came through the village, through snow and rain and darkness, till he saw my lamp through the trees, and shared with me some long winter evenings. One of the last of the philosophers,— whom Connecticut gave him Connecticut gave him Connecticut gave him Connecticut gave him to the world,—he peddled first her wares, afterwards, as he declares, his brains. with nothing to show for his pains, without special talents, he lives These he peddles These he peddles These he peddles These he peddles still, prompting God and disgracing man, man, man, man, bearing for fruit his brain only, like the nut its kernel. I think that he must be the man of the most faith of any alive. He never wavers. His words and his attitude His words and attitude His words and attitude His words and attitude always suppose a better state of things than other men are acquainted with, and it is one of his requirements that he he he he will be the last man to be disappointed as the ages revolve, for he anticipates more than any. God will find it It will be hard to astonish him revolve. revolve. revolve. He has no venture in the present. But though comparatively comparatively comparatively comparatively disregarded now, when his day comes, laws unsuspected by most will take effect, and the practical everywhere, masters masters masters masters of families and rulers will come to him for advice.— "How blind that cannot see serenity!" A true friend of man; almost the only friend of human progress. An Old humanity mortality say rather immortality Mortality, say rather an Immortality, Mortality, say rather an Immortality, Mortality, say rather an Immortality, with unwearied patience and faith making plain the image engraven in men’s bodies, the God of whom they are but defaced and leaning & crumbling leaning leaning leaning monuments. With his hospitable intellect embracing embracing he embraces he embraces he embraces children, beggars, insane, and scholars, and entertains the thought of all, adding to it commonly some breadth and elegance. adding to it perhaps some breadth & elegance adding to it, perhaps commonly, some breadth and elegance adding to it commonly some breadth and elegance. I think that he should keep a caravansary on the world’s highway, where the thinkers the thinkers philosophers philosophers philosophers of all nations might put up, & on his sign might be written & on his sign might be written printed and on his sign might should be printed and on his sign should be printed, "Entertainment for man, but not for his beast. Enter all ye all ye ye ye that have leisure and a quiet mind, who earnestly but without anxiety seek the right road." A thought floats as serenely and as much at home in his mind as a duck pluming himself on a far inland lake but without anxiety seek the right higher road seek the right road." seek the right road." 21b
Former Inhabitants 21b written: F rewritten: F, G

(Ronald Clapper)
r
Revision note: F1: He is
He is
He is He is
perhaps the sanest man and has r
Revision note: F1: with
with
with of has has
the fewest crotchets of any I r
Revision note: F1: ever knew
ever knew chance to know
chance to know; chance to know;
the same yesterday r
Revision note: F1: today & forever
today & forever & tomorrow
and to-morrow. and to-morrow.
r
Revision note: F1: With him it was easy to walk and talk & effectually to put
With him it was easy to walk saunter & talk, & effectually
With him it was easy to saunter and talk Of yore we had sauntered and talked, and effectually Of yore we had sauntered and talked, and effectually
put the world behind us; for he was pledged to no institution in it, r
Revision note: F1:
freeborn, ingenuus .
freeborn, ingenuus. freeborn, ingenuus.
Whichever way we r
Revision note: F1: walked it seemed as if
walked turned, it seemed that
turned, it seemed that turned, it seemed that
the heavens and the earth had met together, r
Revision note: F1: & righteousness & peace had kissed each other
& righteousness & peace had kissed each other for he enhanced the beauty of the landscape
since he enhanced the beauty of the landscape. since he enhanced the beauty of the landscape.
A blue-robed man, whose fittest roof is the overarching sky which reflects his serenity. r
Revision note: F1:
I do not see how he could die—how Nature could spare him
I do not see how he can ever die; how Nature can Nature cannot spare him I do not see how he can ever die; Nature cannot spare him.
22a
Former Inhabitants 22a written: F rewritten: F, G

(Ronald Clapper)
Having each some shingles of thought well dried, we sat and whittled them, trying our knives, and admiring the clear yellowish grain of the pumpkin pine. We waded so gently and reverently, or we pulled together so smoothly, that the fishes of thought were not seared from the stream, nor feared any angler on the bank, but came and went grandly, like the clouds r
Revision note: F1: that float peacefully
that float peacefully
that which float which float
through the western sky, and the mother-o’-pearl flocks r
Revision note: F1: that
that
that which
sometimes form and dissolve there. 22b
Former Inhabitants 22b written: E rewritten: F, G
G: A fair copy was made of only There we worked, revising mythology, rounding a fable here and there, and.

(Ronald Clapper)
There we worked, revising mythology, rounding a fable here and there, and building castles in the air for which earth offered no worthy foundation. Great Thinker! Expecter! Great Thinker Seer! Expecter! Great Looker! Great Expecter! Great Looker! Great Expecter! to converse with whom was a New England Night’s Entertainment. Ah! such discourse we had, hermit and philosopher, and the old settler I have spoken of, —we three,—it expanded and racked my little house; I should not dare to say how many pounds’ weight there was above the atmospheric pressure on every circular inch; it opened its seams so that they had to be caulked & payed calked calked calked with much dulness thereafter to stop the consequent leak;— but I had enough of that kind of oakum already picked.
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Former Inhabitants 23 written: E rewritten: F

(Ronald Clapper)
Others there were one or two who paid me angel visits, looking in upon me from time to time, but no more for society had I there. Others there were, one or two with whom I had "solid seasons," long to be remembered, at their houses in the village & who paid me angel visits, looking in upon me from time to time, but no more for society had I there. There was one other with whom I had "solid seasons," long to be remembered, at his house in the village, and who looked in upon me from time to time; but I had no more for society there. There was one other with whom I had "solid seasons," long to be remembered, at his house in the village, and who looked in upon me from time to time; but I had no more for society there.
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Former Inhabitants 24 written: E rewritten: F

(Ronald Clapper)
There too as here and everywhere I sometimes expected that visitor who never comes There too as here and everywhere I sometimes expected the Visitor who never comes There too, as every where, I sometimes expected the Visitor who never comes. There too, as every where, I sometimes expected the Visitor who never comes. The Vishnu Purana says, "The house-holder is to remain at eventide in his court-yard as long as it takes to milk a cow, or longer if he pleases, to await the arrival of a guest." I often performed this duty of hospitality, waited long enough to milk a whole herd of cows, but did not see the man approaching from the town.
XVersion
Former Inhabitants; and Winter Visitors
1
Former Inhabitants 1 written: F
E & F: "Former Inhabitants; and Winter Visitors" follows "Winter Animals" and precedes "The Pond in Winter." The title "Former Inhabitants" appears in pencil at the top of the leaf containing Former Inhabitants; and Winter Visitors 1, and "Winter Visitors" appears in pencil at the top of the leaf containing Former Inhabitants; and Winter Visitors 16.

(Ronald Clapper)
Before the winter was over I I I weathered some merry snow storms, and spent some cheerful winter evenings by my fire-side, while the snow whirled wildly about my house without without, without, and even the hooting of the owl was hushed. For many weeks I had scarcely a visitor and met no one in my walks but such as came occasionally to cut wood and sled it to the village Nature assisted me however to make The elements abetted me, however, in making The elements, however, abetted me. in making a path through the deepest snow in the woods, for when I had once gone through the wind blew the oak leaves into my tracks, where they lodged and by absorbing the rays of the sun melted the snow, and so only made a dry bed for my feet, but in the night their dark line was my guide. For many weeks I had scarcely a visitor and met no one in my walks but such as came occasionally to cut wood and sled it to the village For many weeks I met no one in my walks but those who came occasionally to cut wood and sled it to the village. The elements, however, abetted me in making a path through the deepest snow in the woods, for when I had once gone through the wind blew the oak leaves into my tracks, where they lodged, and by absorbing the rays of the sun melted the snow, and so not only made a my bed for my feet, but in the night their dark line was my guide. For many weeks I met no one in my walks but those who came occasionally to cut wood and sled it to the village. The elements, however, abetted me in making a path through the deepest snow in the woods, for when I had once gone through the wind blew the oak leaves into my tracks, where they lodged, and by absorbing the rays of the sun melted the snow, and so not only made a my bed for my feet, but in the night their dark line was my guide. For human society I was for the most part obliged to conjure up the spirits of obliged to conjure up obliged to conjure up the former occupants of these woods. Within the memory of many of my townsmen the woodland road road road near which my house stands resounded with the laugh and gossip of inhabitants, and the woods which border it were notched and dotted here and there with their little gardens and dwellings, though it was then much darker and more shut more shut more shut in by the forest than now. In many some some places, within my own own remembrance, the pines would scrape both sides of a chaise at once, and women and children who were compelled to go this way to Lincoln alone and on foot did it with fear and trembling fear, fear, and often ran a good part of the distance. Though mainly but a humble route to neighboring villages, or for the woodman's team, it once amused the traveller somewhat more more more than now by its variety, and perchance lingered lingered lingered longer in his memory. Where now firm open fields stretch from the village to the woods, the road it once then it then it then ran through a maple swamp on a foundation of logs, the remnants of which, doubtless, still underlie the present dusty highway, from the Stratton farm, now the Alms House, Farm Stratton, now the Alms House, Farm, Stratton, now the Alms House, Farm, to Brister’s Hill.
2
Former Inhabitants 2 written: E rewritten: F
E: The leaf containing Former Inhabitants; and Winter Visitors 2 begins with of Duncan Ingraham, Esquire, gentleman, of Concord Village; the beginning of Former Inhabitants; and Winter Visitors 2 (East of my bean-field, across the road, lived Cato Ingraham, slave) was apparently contained on a missing leaf. Cato’s half-obliterated cellar hole . . . grows there luxuriantly is interlined in pencil.

(Ronald Clapper)
East of my bean-field, across the road, across the road, across the road, across the road, lived Cato Ingraham, slave of Duncan Ingraham, Esquire, gentleman of Concord village, who built his slave a house, and gave him permission to live in Walden Woods;— Cato, not Uticensis, but Concordiensis. Cato, not Uticensis, but Concordiensis. Cato, not Uticensis, but Concordiensis. Cato, not Uticensis, but Concordiensis. Some say that he was a Guinea Negro. There are those those a few a few who remember his little patch among the walnuts, and the trees walnuts, and the trees walnuts, walnuts, which he let grow up till he should be old and need them; but a younger and whiter speculator got them at last. He too, however, occupies an equally narrow house at present. He, too, however, occupies an equally narrow house at present. He, too, however, occupies an equally narrow house at present. He, too, however, occupies an equally narrow house at present. His Cato’s Cato’s Cato’s Cato’s half-obliterated cellar hole still remains, though known to few, being concealed from the traveller by a fringe of pines. It is now filled with the smooth sumach ( Rhus glabra ), and one of the earliest species of golden-rod (Solidago stricta) (Solidago stricta) (Solidago stricta) grows there luxuriantly.
3
Former Inhabitants 3 written: E rewritten: F

(Ronald Clapper)
And here And here Here, Here, by the very corner of my field, still nearer to town, Zilpha, a colored woman, had her little house, where she spun linen for the townsfolk, making the Walden Woods ring with her shrill singing, for she had a loud and notable voice. At length, in the war of 1812, her dwelling was set on fire by English soldiers, prisoners on parole, when she was away, when she was away, when she was away, when she was away, and her cat and dog and hens were all burned up together. She led a hard life, and somewhat witch-like inhumane inhumane. inhumane. inhumane. One old frequenter of these woods remembers, that as he passed her house one noon he heard her muttering to herself over her gurgling pot,— "Ye are all bones, bones!" I have seen bricks amid the oak copse there. I have seen bricks amid the oak copse there. I have seen bricks amid the oak copse there. I have seen bricks amid the oak copse there.
4
Former Inhabitants 4 written: E rewritten: F

(Ronald Clapper)
And down And down Down Down the road, on the right hand, on Brister’s Hill, lived Brister Freeman, "a handy Negro," slave of Squire Cummings once,—there where grow still the apple-trees which Brister planted and tended; large old trees but now, but their fruit now, but their fruit now, but their fruit still wild and ciderish to my taste. Not long since I read his epitaph in the old old old old Lincoln burying-ground, a little on one side near the unmarked graves of the British grenadiers who fell in the retreat from Concord a little on one side, near the unmarked graves of the some British grenadiers who fell in the retreat from Concord a little on one side, near the unmarked graves of some British grenadiers who fell in the retreat from Concord, a little on one side, near the unmarked graves of some British grenadiers who fell in the retreat from Concord, —where he is styled "Sippio Brister,"—Scipio Africanus he had some title to be called,— "a man of color," as if he were discolored. It also told me, when he died, but that seemed but with staring emphasis, when he died, but that seemed which was but with staring emphasis, when he died; which was but with staring emphasis, when he died; which was but an indirect way of informing me that he ever lived. And there was too lived And there too lived With him dwelt With him dwelt With him dwelt Fenda, his hospitable wife, who told fortunes, yet pleasantly,—large, round, and black, blacker than any of the children of night, such a dusky orb as never rose on Concord before nor nor or or or since.
5
Former Inhabitants 5 written: E rewritten: F

(Ronald Clapper)
And further And further Farther Farther down the hill, upon the left upon the left on the left, on the left, on the old road in the woods, are marks of some homestead of the Stratton family; whose orchard once once once once covered all the slope of Brister’s Hill, now but was but was but was but was long since killed out by pitch-pines, but sill furnishing from their old roots excepting a few stumps, whose old roots furnish still excepting a few stumps, whose old roots furnish still excepting a few stumps, whose old roots furnish still excepting a few stumps, whose old roots furnish still the wild stocks of many a thrifty village tree.
6
Former Inhabitants 6 written: E rewritten: F
E: Former Inhabitants; and Winter Visitors 9a follows Former Inhabitants; and Winter Visitors 6.

(Ronald Clapper)
And nearer And nearer Nearer Nearer Nearer yet to town, you come to Breed’s location, on the other side of the way, just on the edge of the wood; just on the edge of the wood; just on the edge of the wood; But history must not yet tell the tragedies enacted there. Let time intervene in some measure to assuage and lend an azure tint to them Ground famous for the pranks of a demon not distinctly named in old mythology, but who has acted a prominent and astounding part in the stage of our New England life, and deserves better than any mythological character to have his biography written one day; who first comes in the guise of a friend or hired man and then invariably robs & murders the whole family.—New England Rum. But history must not yet tell the tragedies enacted there. Let time intervene in some measure to assuage and lend an azure tint to them turning them to myths ground famous for the pranks of a demon not distinctly named in old mythology, but who has acted a prominent and astounding part in the stage of our New England life, and deserves, better than as much as any mythological character, to have his biography written one day; who first comes in the guise of a friend, or hired man, and then invariably robs & murders the whole family,—New England Rum. But history must not yet tell the tragedies enacted there; let time intervene in some measure to assuage and lend an azure tint to them. —turning them to myths History does not begin to be poetic till she is justice ground famous for the pranks of a demon not distinctly named in old mythology, who has acted a prominent and astounding part in our New England life, and deserves, as much as any mythological character, to have his biography written one day; who first comes in the guise of a friend or hired man, and then robs and murders the whole family,—New-England Rum. But history must not yet tell the tragedies enacted here; let time intervene in some measure to assuage and lend an azure tint to them. ground famous for the pranks of a demon not distinctly named in old mythology, who has acted a prominent and astounding part in our New England life, and deserves, as much as any mythological character, to have his biography written one day; who first comes in the guise of a friend or hired man, and then robs and murders the whole family,—New-England Rum. But history must not yet tell the tragedies enacted here; let time intervene in some measure to assuage and lend an azure tint to them. Here the most indistinct and dubious tradition says that once a tavern stood; the well the same, which tempered the traveller's beverage and refreshed his steed & still the well-sweep makes a rider on the wall steed. steed. steed. Here then then then then men saluted once once one another one another, one another, and heard and told the news, and went their ways again.
7a
Former Inhabitants 7a written: F

(Ronald Clapper)
Breed’s hut was standing only a dozen years ago just on the edge of the wood ago, ago, though it had long been unoccupied. It was about the size of mine. It was set on fire by mischievous boys, one Election night, if I am not mistaken do not mistake. do not mistake. I lived on the edge of the village then, then, and had just lost myself over Davenant's Gondibert, that winter that I labored with a lethargy,—which, by the way, I never knew whether to regard as a family complaint, having an uncle who goes to sleep shaving himself, and is obliged to sprout potatoes in a cellar on Sundays Sundays, Sundays, in order to keep awake and keep the Sabbath, or as the consequence of my attempt to read Chalmers’ collection of English poetry without skipping. It fairly overcame my Nervii. It fairly overcame my Nervii. It fairly overcame my Nervii. —well I I I had just sunk my head on this when the bells rang rung rung fire, and in hot haste the engines rolled that way, led by a straggling troop of men and boys, and I among the foremost, for I had leaped the brook. We thought it was far south over the woods,—we who had run to fires before,—barn, shop, or dwelling-house, or all together. "It’s Baker’s barn," cried one. "It is the Codman place," affirmed another. And now then then fresh sparks went up above the wood, as if the roof fell in, and we all shouted "Concord to the rescue!" Wagons shot past with furious speed and crushing loads, bearing, perchance, among the rest, the agent of the Insurance Company, who was bound to go however far; and ever and anon the engine bell tinkled in the rear behind behind, behind, more slow and sure, and rearmost of all, as it was afterward whispered, came they who set the fire and gave the alarm. Thus we kept on like true idealists, rejecting the evidence of our senses, until at a turn in the road we heard the crackling and actually 7b
Former Inhabitants 7b written: E rewritten: F
E: Former Inhabitants; and Winter Visitors 7b follows a missing leaf.
E: A fair copy was made of only but concluded to let it burn . . . Indians are to powder.

(Ronald Clapper)
felt the heat of the fire from over the wall, and realized, alas! that we were there. The very nearness of the fire had but but but but cooled our ardor. At first we thought to throw a frog-pond on to it; but concluded to let it burn, it was so far gone and so worthless. So we stood round our tub engine & jostled engine, jostled engine, jostled engine, jostled one another, expressed our sentiments through speaking trumpets, or in lower tone referred to the great conflagrations which the world has witnessed, including Bascom’s shop, and, between ourselves, we thought that, were we there in season with our "tub", and a full frog-pond by, we could turn that threatened last and universal one into another flood. We finally retreated without doing any harmings & without the prospect of a civil card or of hot chocolate,—returned to sleep & Gondibert We finally retreated without not doing any mischief,—without any prospect ever of a civil card or of hot chocolate,—returned to sleep and "Gondibert" We finally retreated without doing any mischief,—returned to sleep and Gondibert. We finally retreated without doing any mischief,—returned to sleep and Gondibert. But as for Gondibert, I would except that passage in the preface about wit being the soul’s powder,—"but most of mankind are strangers to wit, as Indians are to powder." But as for Gondibert, I would except that passage in the preface about wit being the soul’s powder,—"but most of mankind are strangers to wit, as Indians are to powder." But as for Gondibert, I would except that passage in the preface about wit being the soul’s powder,—"but most of mankind are strangers to wit, as Indians are to powder." But as for Gondibert, I would except that passage in the preface about wit being the soul’s powder,—"but most of mankind are strangers to wit, as Indians are to powder."
8a
Former Inhabitants 8a written: E rewritten: F

(Ronald Clapper)
It chanced that I walked this way this that way that way that way across the fields the following night, about the same hour, and hearing a low moaning at this spot, I approached approached drew near drew near drew near in the dark, and discovered the only survivor of the family that I know, the heir of both its virtues and its vices, who alone was interested in this event event burning burning, burning, lying on his stomach and looking over the cellar wall at the still smouldering cinders beneath, muttering to himself, as is his wont for he has a strange habit of talking aloud as it were to himself after you are gone by wont for he has a strange habit of talking aloud as it were to himself after you are gone by wont. wont. He had been working far off in the river meadows all day, and had improved the first moments that he could call his own to visit the home of his fathers and his youth. He gazed into the small cellar small cellar cellar cellar from all sides and points of view by turns, always lying down to it, always lying down to it, as if there was some treasure, which he remembered, which he remembered, which he remembered, concealed between the stones, where there was absolutely nothing but a heap of bricks and ashes. The house being gone, he looked at what there was left. The house being gone, he looked at what there was left. The house being gone, he looked at what there was left. He appeared to be He appeared to be was He was He was soothed by the sympathy which my mere presence implied, and showed me, as well as the darkness permitted, where the well was covered under the sod up up; up; up; which, thank Heaven, could never be burned; and he groped long upon about about about the wall to find the well-sweep which his father had cut and mounted, feeling for the iron hook or staple by which a burden had been fastened to the heavy end, to from the chain that hung or staple by which a burden had been fastened to the heavy end or staple by which a burden had been fastened to the heavy end, or staple by which a burden had been fastened to the heavy end, or staple by which a burden had been fastened to the heavy end, —all that he could now cling to,—to convince me that it was no common 8b
Former Inhabitants 8b written: F

(Ronald Clapper)
"rider." I felt it, and still remark it almost daily in my walks, for by it hangs the history of a family. I have even though[t] to make a drawing of it for the Smithsonian Institution for it had a peculiar curve, not to be paralleled by any that I know, whether it was so designed by the maker or got a twist in the September Gale. Breed was a barber in Concord village who kept his patrons awake by his wit. He had for neighbor a tailor who thought himself above him it is said, but was thus punished by Breed’s muse,
"Tailoring & barbering done with speed
By John C. Newall & John C. Breed."
This is from my collection of old Concord poetry which contains also some scraps from the works of Jim Davis the fiddler, but has nothing in it so long nor so dull as Gondibert—, however, I would except that passage in the preface to the latter about wit being the soul’s powder
family. family.
9a
Former Inhabitants 9a written: E rewritten: F

(Ronald Clapper)
And once And once Once Once more, on the left, where are seen the well and lilac bushes by the wall, in the now open field 9b
Former Inhabitants 9b written: F

(Ronald Clapper)
lived Nutting and Le Grosse. But to return toward Lincoln. But to return toward Lincoln. But to return toward Lincoln.
10a
Former Inhabitants 10a written: F

(Ronald Clapper)
But further Farther Farther in the woods than any of these, where the road approaches nearest to the pond, Wyman the potter squatted, and furnished his towns- 10b
Former Inhabitants 10b written: A rewritten: F
A: Former Inhabitants; and Winter Visitors 10b, 12, 13, 14, 15b, and Pond in Winter 3a appear on two leaves (#189-191) which are preceded by three missing leaves (# 183-187) and followed by four missing leaves (#193-199). Leaf # 181, just before the three missing leaves, contains Winter Animals 14b, Winter Animals 15, and Pond in Winter 16a; leaf #201, just after the four missing leaves, contains Spring 1c, Ponds 13, and Pond in Winter 6a and Pond in Winter 8.

(Ronald Clapper)
-men with earthen ware, and left descendants to succeed him. I was pleased when in mid-summer— Neither were they rich in worldly goods who but held the land by right of long possession & there oft the sheriff came for form’s sake & "attached a chip" as I have read in his accounts I was pleased when in mid-summer— Neither were they rich in worldly goods who but held the land by right of long possession & there oft the sheriff came for form’s sake & "attached a chip" as I have read in his accounts I was pleased when in mid-summer— Neither were they rich in worldly goods who but held the land by right of long possession & there oft the sheriff came for form’s sake & "attached a chip" as I have read in his accounts I was pleased when in mid-summer— Neither were they rich in worldly goods who but held the land by right of long possession & there oft the sheriff came for form’s sake & "attached a chip" as I have read in his accounts I was pleased when in mid-summer— Neither were they rich in worldly goods who but held the land by right of long possession & there oft the sheriff came for form’s sake & "attached a chip" as I have read in his accounts Neither were they They were not Neither were they rich in worldly goods but held holding the land by possession sufferance while they lived, and there often the sheriff came in vain to collect the taxes and "attach a chip" for form’s sake, as I have read in his accounts, there being nothing else that he could lay his hands upon on Neither were they rich in worldly goods, holding the land by sufferance while they lived; and there often the sheriff came in vain to collect the taxes, and "attached a chip," for form’s sake, as I have read in his accounts, there being nothing else that he could lay his hands on. Neither were they rich in worldly goods, holding the land by sufferance while they lived; and there often the sheriff came in vain to collect the taxes, and "attached a chip," for form’s sake, as I have read in his accounts, there being nothing else that he could lay his hands on. One day in midsummer, when I was hoeing, One day in midsummer, when I was hoeing, One day in midsummer, when I was hoeing, One day in midsummer, when I was hoeing, One day in midsummer, when I was hoeing, One day in midsummer, when I was hoeing, One day in midsummer, when I was hoeing, One day in midsummer, when I was hoeing, a man who was carrying a load of pottery to market stopped his horse against my field and inquired concerning Wyman the younger. the younger. He said that he had had had had had had had had long ago bought a potter’s wheel of him, and wished to know what had become of him. I had heard read read read read read read read read of the potter’s clay and wheel in Scripture, but I thought that latterly such as we used had either the pots we used were either such as had come down unbroken from those days—or that they grew on trees like gourds somewhere and I was pleased to hear that so artful & fictile an art was ever practised in my neighborhood it had never occurred to me that the pots we use were not such as had come down unbroken from those days, or grown on trees like gourds somewhere, and I was pleased to hear that so fictile an art was ever practised in my neighborhood. it had never occurred to me that the pots we use were not such as had come down unbroken from those days, or grown on trees like gourds somewhere, and I was pleased to hear that so fictile an art was ever practised in my neighborhood. it had never occurred to me that the pots we use were not such as had come down unbroken from those days, or grown on trees like gourds somewhere, and I was pleased to hear that so fictile an art was ever practised in my neighborhood. it had never occurred to me that the pots we use were not such as had come down unbroken from those days, or grown on trees like gourds somewhere, and I was pleased to hear that so fictile an art was ever practised in my neighborhood. it had never occurred to me that the pots we use were not such as had come down unbroken from those days, or grown on trees like gourds somewhere, and I was pleased to hear that so fictile an art was ever practised in my neighborhood. it had never occurred to me that the pots we use were not such as had come down unbroken from those days, or grown on trees like gourds somewhere, and I was pleased to hear that so fictile an art was ever practised in my neighborhood. it had never occurred to me that the pots we use were not such as had come down unbroken from those days, or grown on trees like gourds somewhere, and I was pleased to hear that so fictile an art was ever practised in my neighborhood.
11a
Former Inhabitants 11a written: F

(Ronald Clapper)
The last inhabitant of these woods before me was Hugh Coil an Irishman Hugh Quoil—(if I have spelt his name with coil enough) an Irishman, Hugh Quoil, (if I have spelt his name with coil enough,) an Irishman, Hugh Quoil, (if I have spelt his name with coil enough,) who occupied Wyman's tenement,— Col. Quoil, he was called. Rumor said that he had been a soldier at Waterloo. If he had lived I should have made him fight his battles over again. His trade here was that of a ditcher. Napoleon went to St. Helena; Quoil came to Walden Woods. All I know of him is tragic. I have noticed that there is always something pathetic in the sedentary life of men who have travelled. I remember him as He was He was He was a man of manners, like one who had seen the world, and was capable of more civil speech than you could well attend to. He wore a greatcoat in mid-summer, being affected with the trembling delirium, and his being affected with a strange the trembling delirium His being affected with the trembling delirium, and his being affected with the trembling delirium, and his face was the color of carmine. He died in the road at the foot of Brister’s Hill shortly after I came to the woods, & "There he lay," as men who found him said, looking taller than in life" with the key of his house in his pocket . so that I have not remembered him as a neighbor. so that I have not remembered him as a neighbor. Before his house was pulled down, when his comrades avoided it as "an unlucky castle," I visited it. There lay his old clothes curled up by habit use, use, as if they were himself, upon his raised plank bed. 11b
Former Inhabitants 11b written: E rewritten: F

(Ronald Clapper)
His pipe lay broken on the hearth, instead of a bowl broken at the fountain. The last could never have been the symbol of his death, For he never visited the fountain, but he confessed to me that though he had heard of Bristol’s spring he never saw it for he never visited the fountain, but he confessed to me that though he had heard of Brister’s Spring he had never seen it for he confessed to me that, though he had heard of Brister’s Spring, he had never seen it; for he confessed to me that, though he had heard of Brister’s Spring, he had never seen it; and soiled cards, kings of diamonds spades and hearts, were scattered over the floor. One black chicken which the administrator could not catch, black as night and as silent, not even croaking, awaiting Reynard, still went 11c
Former Inhabitants 11c written: B rewritten: E, F

(Ronald Clapper)
to roost in the next apartment. In the rear there was the dim outline of a garden, which had been planted but had never received its first hoeing, owing to those terrible shaking fits, owing to those terrible shaking fits, owing to those terrible shaking fits, though it was now harvest time. though it was now harvest time. though it was now harvest time. though it was now harvest time. though it was now harvest time. though it was now harvest time. though it was now harvest time. now all overgrown with weeds with burrs and cackles which stuck to your clothes for all fruit—as if in the spring he had contemplated a harvest of corn & beans—before that strange trembling of the limbs overtook him now all overgrown with weeds with burrs and cackles which stuck to your clothes for all fruit—as if in the spring he had contemplated a harvest of corn & beans—before that strange trembling of the limbs overtook him now all overgrown with weeds with burrs and cackles which stuck to your clothes for all fruit—as if in the spring he had contemplated a harvest of corn & beans—before that strange trembling of the limbs overtook him overgrown with weeds, with burrs & cackles which but was overgrown with Roman wormwood and beggar ticks, which last stuck to your clothes for all fruit but was overgrown with Roman wormwood and beggar ticks, which last stuck to your my clothes for all fruit It was over-run with Roman wormwood and beggar-ticks, which last stuck to my clothes for all fruit. It was over-run with Roman wormwood and beggar-ticks, which last stuck to my clothes for all fruit. The skin of a woodchuck which met once in his bean field perchance by the Waterloo man with uplifted hoe— woodchuck woodchuck woodchuck woodchuck woodchuck woodchuck was freshly stretched upon the back of the house, a trophy of one of the last battles which he fought a trophy of his last Waterloo; a trophy of his last Waterloo; But no warm nor or mittens will did he want more longer more But no warm nor or mittens will did he want more longer more But no warm nor or mittens will did he want more longer more but no warm cap or mittens would he want more whichever place he were gone to but no warm cap or mittens would he want more. but no warm cap or mittens would he want more. but no warm cap or mittens would he want more.
12
Former Inhabitants 12 written: A rewritten: E, F
E & F: A fair copy was made of only Now only a dent in the earth . . . the stir and bustle of human life.

(Ronald Clapper)
Now only a dent in the earth marks the site of most of these these these these these these these these dwellings, with buried wall cellar cellar cellar cellar cellar cellar cellar cellar stones, and strawberries, raspberries, thimbleberries & sumachs thimble-berries, hazel-bushes, and sumachs thimble-berries, hazel-bushes, and sumachs thimble-berries, hazel-bushes, and sumachs thimble-berries, hazel-bushes, and sumachs thimble-berries, hazel-bushes, and sumachs thimble-berries, hazel-bushes, and sumachs thimble-berries, hazel-bushes, and sumachs growing in the sunny sward there; some pitchy pine pitchy pine pitchy pine pitchy pine pitchy pine pitch-pine pitch-pine pitch-pine or gnarled oak in the chimney nook—and the sweet scented black birch occupies what was the chimney nook, and a sweet-scented black-birch, perhaps, occupies what was the chimney nook, and a sweet-scented black-birch, perhaps, occupies what was the chimney nook, and a sweet-scented black-birch, perhaps, occupies what was the chimney nook, and a sweet-scented black-birch, perhaps, occupies what was the chimney nook, and a sweet-scented black-birch, perhaps, occupies what was the chimney nook, and a sweet-scented black-birch, perhaps, occupies what was the chimney nook, and a sweet-scented black-birch, perhaps, waves where the door-stone was. Sometimes the well dent is visible, where once a spring oozed; now dry and tearless grass; or it was it is was it was it was it was it was it was it was it was covered deep,—not to be discovered till some late day,—with a flat stone under the sod, when the last of the race departed. What a sorrowful time must that be—the covering up of wells.—commensurate with the opening of wells of tears What a sorrowful time must that be—the covering up of wells.—commensurate with the opening of wells of tears What a sorrowful time must that be—the covering up of wells.—commensurate with the opening of wells of tears What a sorrowful time must that be—the covering up of wells.—commensurate with the opening of wells of tears What a sorrowful time must that be—the covering up of wells! contemporaneous with the opening of wells of tears. These dents like deserted fox-burrows—old holes—are all that is left where once was the stir and bustle of human life, and man’s destiny was being consummated Wells must be among the oldest monuments of civilized and semibarbarous man on the globe The white man still resorts to springs which were stored up by the Indians. Little thinks of this does the millionaire think of this when he incloses them one within a costly curb. One must forget himself & his age to remember how old may be the most ancient well which men use today—coeval almost with this the race. So from the first the poets have derived their inspiration from a few old wells on the mountain of the muses. None digs Few dig anew—but though some drink deeper than their brothers brethren. But I trust that in this new country many wells are yet to be dug What a sorrowful time act must that be,—the covering up of wells! coincident with the opening of wells of tears Wells must be among the oldest monuments of man on the globe. The white man hereabouts still resorts to springs which were stored up by the Indians. Little does the millionaire country squire think of this when he incloses one within a costly curb. One must forget himself & his age to remember how old may be the most ancient well which men use today—coeval almost with the race. So from the first poets have derived their inspiration from a few old wells on the mountain of the muses. Few dig anew, though some drink deeper than their brethren. What a sorrowful act must that be,—the covering up of wells! coincident with the opening of wells of tears. What a sorrowful act must that be,—the covering up of wells! coincident with the opening of wells of tears. These cellar cellar cellar cellar cellar cellar cellar dents, like deserted fox burrows, old holes, are all that is left where once was was was was was was were were the stir and bustle of human life, and man’s destiny was being consummated life, and man’s destiny was being consummated life, and man’s destiny was being consummated life, and man’s destiny was being consummated life, and man’s destiny was being consummated life, and man’s destiny was being consummated life, life, and "fate, free-will, foreknowledge absolute," in some form and form and form and form and form and form and form and dialect or other were all in by by by by by by by by turns discussed. Cato and Brister—as tradition says—pulled wool Yet all I can distinctly learn of their compeers is that "Cato and Brister pulled wool" But all I can learn of their conclusions amounts to just this, that "Cato and Brister pulled wool;" But all I can learn of their conclusions amounts to just this, that "Cato and Brister pulled wool;" But all I can learn of their conclusions amounts to just this, that "Cato and Brister pulled wool;" But all I can learn of their conclusions amounts to just this, that "Cato and Brister pulled wool;" But all I can learn of their conclusions amounts to just this, that "Cato and Brister pulled wool;" But all I can learn of their conclusions amounts to just this, that "Cato and Brister pulled wool;" But all I can learn of their conclusions amounts to just this, that "Cato and Brister pulled wool;" which is about as edifying as the history of more famous schools of philosophy. which is about as edifying as the history of more famous schools of philosophy. which is about as edifying as the history of more famous schools of philosophy. which is about as edifying as the history of more famous schools of philosophy. which is about as edifying as the history of more famous schools of philosophy. which is about as edifying as the history of more famous schools of philosophy. which is about as edifying as the history of more famous schools of philosophy. which is about as edifying as the history of more famous schools of philosophy.
13
Former Inhabitants 13 written: A rewritten: B
B: A fair copy was made of only so, and outlive them . . . tender, civil, cheerful, lilac colors.

(Ronald Clapper)
Still grows the vivacious lilac a generation after the door and lintel and the sill are gone, unfolding its early sweet-scented blossom in the each sweet-scented flowers each sweet-scented flowers each sweet-scented flowers each sweet-scented flowers each sweet-scented flowers each sweet-scented flowers each sweet-scented flowers each spring, to be plucked by the musing traveller; planted and tended once by children's hands, in a front-yard plot front-yard plots, front-yard plots, front-yard plots, front-yard plots, front-yard plots, front-yard plots, front-yard plots, —now standing by wall-sides in retired pastures, and giving place to new-rising forests;— the last of that stirp, sole survivor of that family. Little did the dusky children think that the little puny puny puny puny puny puny puny slip with its two eyes only, which they stuck in the ground in the shadow of the house and daily watered, would root itself so, and outlive them and house itself in the rear that shaded it, and grown man’s garden and orchard, and tell their story faintly faintly faintly faintly faintly faintly faintly to the lone wanderer a half century after they were dead were dead had grown up & died had grown up and died, had grown up and died, had grown up and died, had grown up and died, had grown up and died, had grown up and died, —blossoming as fair, and and and and and and smelling as sweet, as in that first spring. I mark its still tender, civil, cheerful, lilac colors.
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Former Inhabitants 14 written: A rewritten: B, E
E: A fair copy was made of only basket, stable-broom, mat-making . . . the oldest in the hamlet.

(Ronald Clapper)
But this small village, germ of something more, why did it fail while Concord grows apace keeps its ground keeps its ground? keeps its ground? keeps its ground? keeps its ground? keeps its ground? keeps its ground? keeps its ground? Were there no natural advantages,—no water privileges, forsooth? Aye—only Aye—only Ay, Ay, Ay, Ay, Ay, Ay, the deep Walden Pond and cool Brister’s Spring,— privilege to drink long and healthy draughts at these, all unimproved by these men but to dilute their glass. They were universally a thirsty race. Might not the basket, stable-broom, mat-making, corn-parching, linen-spinning, and pottery business have thrived here, making the wilderness to bloom—and a numerous posterity have inherited the land of their ancestors blossom, and a numerous posterity have inherited the land of their ancestors blossom, and a numerous posterity have inherited the land of their ancestors blossom, and a numerous posterity have inherited the land of their ancestors blossom like the rose, and a numerous posterity have inherited the land of their ancestors blossom like the rose, and a numerous posterity have inherited the land of their fathers? blossom like the rose, and a numerous posterity have inherited the land of their fathers? blossom like the rose, and a numerous posterity have inherited the land of their fathers? The sterile soil would at least have been proof against a low-land degeneracy. Alas how little does the memory of these human inhabitants enhance by association the beauty of the landscape Alas! how little does the memory of these human inhabitants enhance the beauty of the landscape! Alas! how little does the memory of these human inhabitants enhance the beauty of the landscape! Alas! how little does the memory of these human inhabitants enhance the beauty of the landscape! Alas! how little does the memory of these human inhabitants enhance the beauty of the landscape! Alas! how little does the memory of these human inhabitants enhance the beauty of the landscape! Alas! how little does the memory of these human inhabitants enhance the beauty of the landscape! Again, perhaps, Nature will try, with me for a first settler, and my house raised two springs ago two springs ago last spring last spring last spring last spring last spring last spring to be the oldest in the hamlet.
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Former Inhabitants 15 written: A rewritten: B, E
A, B, & E: I am not aware that any man . . . the earth itself will be destroyed does not appear in A or B or in the original copying of E but is interlined in pencil in E.

(Ronald Clapper)
But, thank heavens, I am not aware that any man had has ever built on the spot which I occupied occupy But, thank heavens, I am not aware that any man had has ever built on the spot which I occupied occupy But, thank heavens, I am not aware that any man had has ever built on the spot which I occupied occupy But, thank heavens, I am not aware that any man had has ever built on the spot which I occupied occupy But, thank heavens, I am not aware that any man had has ever built on the spot which I occupied occupy I am not aware that any man has ever built on the spot which I occupy. I am not aware that any man has ever built on the spot which I occupy. I am not aware that any man has ever built on the spot which I occupy. Deliver me from a city built on the site of a more ancient city, whose materials are ruins, whose gardens cemeteries. whose materials are ruins, whose gardens cemeteries. whose materials are ruins, whose gardens cemeteries. whose materials are ruins, whose gardens cemeteries. whose materials are ruins, whose gardens cemeteries. whose materials are ruins, whose gardens cemeteries. whose materials are ruins, whose gardens cemeteries. whose materials are ruins, whose gardens cemeteries. The soil is blanched and accursed there, and before that becomes necessary the earth itself will be destroyed. And with such thoughts as these I And with such thoughts reminiscences as these I repeopled the woods & And with such thoughts reminiscences as these I repeopled the woods & And with such thoughts reminiscences as these I repeopled the woods & With such reminiscences as these I repeopled the woods and With such reminiscences I repeopled the woods and With such reminiscences I repeopled the woods and With such reminiscences I repeopled the woods and lulled myself asleep.
16
Former Inhabitants 16 written: B rewritten: E
B: Former Inhabitants; and Winter Visitors 16 is interlined in pencil.

(Ronald Clapper)
In the winter my visitors were few & far between In the winter my visitors were few & far between In the winter my visitors were few & far between In the winter my visitors were few & far between At this season I seldom had a visitor. At this season I seldom had a visitor. At this season I seldom had a visitor. When the snow lay deepest on the ground deepest deepest deepest deepest deepest deepest no wanderer ventured near my house for a week or fortnight at a time, but there I lived as snug as a meadow mouse, As or as or as or as or as or as or as cattle and poultry which are said to which are said to which are said to which are said to have survived for a long time when buried buried buried buried buried buried buried in drifts, even without food; Even Or even or or or or or or like that early settler’s family in the town of Sutton, in this state, in this state, in this state, in this state, whose cottage was completely covered in by by by by by by by the great snow of 1717 when he was absent, when he was absent, when he was absent, when he was absent, when he was absent, when he was absent, when he was absent, and an Indian found it only by the hole which the chimney’s breath made in the snow drift drift, drift, drift, drift, drift, drift, & carried relief to his family and so relieved the family. and so relieved the family. and so relieved the family. But no friendly Indian concerned himself about me; nor needed he, for the master of the house was at home. The Great Snow! How How How How How How cheerful it is to hear of! cheerful it is to hear of! cheerful it is to hear of! cheerful it is to hear of! cheerful it is to hear of! cheerful it is to hear of! cheerful it is to hear of! When the farmers could not get to the woods and swamps with their teams, and were obliged to cut down the shade trees before their houses to keep their fires agoing houses, houses, houses, houses, houses, houses, and when the crust was harder they cut they cut they cut they cut cut cut cut off the trees in the swamps ten feet from the ground, as the next summer it appeared the next summer it appeared the next summer it appeared as the next summer it appeared the next spring it appeared the next spring. it appeared the next spring. it appeared the next spring.
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Former Inhabitants 17 written: E

(Ronald Clapper)
In the deepest snows, the path which I used which I used which I used which I used from the highway to my house, about half a mile long, might have been represented by a meandering dotted line, with wide intervals between the dots. For a week of even weather I took exactly the same number of steps, and of the same length, coming and going, stepping deliberately and with the precision of a pair of dividers in my own deep tracks,— a remarkable instance of routine to such routine the winter reduces us to such routine the winter reduces us, to such routine the winter reduces us, to such routine the winter reduces us, —yet often often often often they were filled with heaven’s own blue. But But But But no weather interfered fatally fatally fatally fatally with my walks, or rather my going abroad, for I frequently tramped eight or ten miles through the deepest snow to keep an appointment with a beech-tree, or a yellow-birch, or an old acquaintance among the pines; when the ice and snow causing their limbs to droop, and so sharpening their tops, had changed the pines into fir-trees; wading to the tops of the highest hills when the show was nearly 2 or 3 nearly two nearly two nearly two feet deep on a level, and shaking down down down another snow-storm on my head at every step; or sometimes creeping artly creeping partly floundering thither creeping & floundering thither creeping and floundering thither creeping and floundering thither creeping and floundering thither on my hands and knees, when the hunters had gone into winter quarters. Sometimes One afternoon—in my walks One afternoon One afternoon One afternoon I amused myself by watching a barred owl ( ) Strix nebulosa (Strix nebulosa) (Strix nebulosa) (Strix nebulosa) sitting perchance sitting sitting sitting on one of the lower dead limbs of a white-pine, close to the trunk, in broad daylight, I standing within a rod of him , in the deep snow him. him. him. He could hear me when I moved and cronched the snow with my feet, but could not plainly see me there me. me. me. When I made most noise he would stretch out his neck, and erect his neck feathers, and open his eyes wide; but his lids would soon fall their lids soon fell their lids soon fell their lids soon fell their lids soon fell again, and he would begin began began began began to nod. I too felt a slumberous influence after watching him there for half an hour, as he sat thus half an hour, as he sat thus half an hour, as he sat thus half an hour, as he sat thus with his eyes half open, like a cat, winged brother of the cat. There was only a narrow slit left between his their their their their lids, by which be preserved a peninsular relation to me; thus, with half-shut eyes, looking out from the land of dreams, and endeavoring to realize me, vague object or mote that interrupted his visions. At length, on some louder noise or my nearer approach, he would grow uneasy and sluggishly turn about on his perch, as if impatient at having his dreams disturbed; and when he launched himself off and flapped through the pines, spreading his wings to unexpected breadth, I could not hear the slightest sound from them. Thus, guided amid the pine boughs rather by a delicate sense of their neighborhood than by sight, feeling his twilight way as it were with his sensitive pinions as it were with his sensitive pinions, as it were with his sensitive pinions, as it were with his sensitive pinions, he found a new perch among the pines perch, perch, perch, where he might in peace await the dawning of his day.
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Former Inhabitants 18 written: E rewritten: F
F: A fair copy was made of only And when I returned new drifts would have formed . . . awaited the return of spring.

(Ronald Clapper)
As I walked over over over over the long causeway made for the railroad through the meadows, I encountered many a blustering and nipping wind, for nowhere has it freer play; for nowhere has it freer play; for nowhere has it freer play; for nowhere has it freer play; and when the frost had smitten me on one cheek, heathen as I was, I often turned turned turned turned to it the other also. Nor was it much better by the carriage road from Brister’s Hill. Nor was it much better by the carriage road from Brister’s Hill. Nor was it much better by the carriage road from Brister’s Hill. Nor was it much better by the carriage road from Brister’s Hill. For I came to town still, like a friendly Indian, when the contents of the broad open fields were all piled up between the walls of the Walden road, and half an hour sufficed to obliterate the tracks of the last traveller. And when I returned from town returned from town returned returned new drifts would have formed, through which I floundered, where the busy north-west wind had been depositing the powdery snow round a sharp angle in the road, and not a rabbit’s track, nor even the fine print, the small type, of a deer mouse was to be seen. Yet I never rarely rarely rarely rarely failed to find, even in mid-winter, some warm and springy swamp where the grass and the skunk-cabbage still put forth with perennial vigor, & the robin & the lark awaited the return of summer vigor verdure, and the robin & the lark a robin or a lark occasionally awaited the return of summer spring verdure, and some hardier bird occasionally awaited the return of spring. verdure, and some hardier bird occasionally awaited the return of spring.
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Former Inhabitants 19 written: E rewritten: F

(Ronald Clapper)
But sometimes notwithstanding the snow, sometimes when I returned from a floundering But sometimes, notwithstanding the snow, when I returned from a floundering my Sometimes, notwithstanding the snow, when I returned from my Sometimes, notwithstanding the snow, when I returned from my walk at evening I crossed the deep tracks of a leading from my door, and found his pile of whittlings on the hearth, and my house filled with the odor of his pipe. Or on a Sunday afternoon, if I chanced to be at home, if I chanced to be at home, if I chanced to be at home, if I chanced to be at home, I heard the cronching of the snow made by the step of a long-headed farmer, who from far through the woods sought my house, to have a social "crack;" the only one one of the few of his fraternity profession that I have chanced to know who habitually overlooked his employment; who are still men on their farms rather than farmers instead of assuming a professor’s gown had he donned a frock and uttered his fatal criticism with more freedom from beneath it as ready to extract his moral of church or state as to haul a load of muck from the meadow one of the few of his profession that I have chanced to know who are still men on their farms. Instead of assuming a professor’s gown, he donned a frock, and utters his fatal criticism from beneath it are "men on their farms;" not yet changed into compost, who donned a frock, instead of a professor’s gown, but is as ready to extract the moral out of church or state as to haul a load of muck from the meadow manure from his barn-yard one of the few of his vocation who are "men on their farms;" who donned a frock instead of a professor’s gown, and is as ready to extract the moral out of church or state as to haul a load of manure from his barn-yard. one of the few of his vocation who are "men on their farms;" who donned a frock instead of a professor’s gown, and is as ready to extract the moral out of church or state as to haul a load of manure from his barn-yard. We talked of rude and simple times, when men sat about large fires in cold bracing weather, with clear heads; and when other dessert failed, We talked of rude and simple times, when men sat about large fires in cold bracing weather, with clear heads; and when other dessert failed, We talked of rude and simple times, when men sat about large fires in cold bracing weather, with clear heads; and when other dessert failed, We talked of rude and simple times, when men sat about large fires in cold bracing weather, with clear heads; and when other dessert failed, we tried our teeth on many a nut which wise squirrels had had have have have long since abandoned, for those which have the hardest and thickest hardest and thickest thickest thickest shells are commonly empty.
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Former Inhabitants 20 written: E rewritten: F
F: A fair copy was made of only The one who came from farthest . . . when doctors sleep. We made that small.

(Ronald Clapper)
The one who came from farthest to my lodge, through deepest snows and most dismal tempests, was a poet. A farmer, a hunter, a soldier, a reporter, even a philosopher, may be daunted; but nothing can deter a poet, for he is actuated by pure love. for he is actuated by pure love. for he is actuated by pure love. Who can predict his comings and goings? His business calls him out at all hours, even when doctors sleep. We made that small house ring with boisterous mirth and resound with the murmur of much sober talk, We made making making making making amends then to Walden vale for that long silence the long silences the long silences. the long silences. the long silences. Broadway was then silent still still still still and deserted in comparison. At suitable intervals there were regular salutes of laughter, which might have been referred indifferently to the last uttered or the forth-coming jest. We made many a "bran new" theory of life over a thin dish of gruel, which combined the advantages of conviviality with the clear-headedness which philosophy requires.
21a
Former Inhabitants 21a written: E rewritten: G

(Ronald Clapper)
I should not forget that during my last winter at the pond there was another welcome visitor, who at one time came through the village, through snow and rain and darkness, till he saw my lamp through the trees, and shared with me some long winter evenings. One of the last of the philosophers,— whom Connecticut gave him Connecticut gave him Connecticut gave him Connecticut gave him to the world,—he peddled first her wares, afterwards, as he declares, his brains. with nothing to show for his pains, without special talents, he lives These he peddles These he peddles These he peddles These he peddles still, prompting God and disgracing man, man, man, man, bearing for fruit his brain only, like the nut its kernel. I think that he must be the man of the most faith of any alive. He never wavers. His words and his attitude His words and attitude His words and attitude His words and attitude always suppose a better state of things than other men are acquainted with, and it is one of his requirements that he he he he will be the last man to be disappointed as the ages revolve, for he anticipates more than any. God will find it It will be hard to astonish him revolve. revolve. revolve. He has no venture in the present. But though comparatively comparatively comparatively comparatively disregarded now, when his day comes, laws unsuspected by most will take effect, and the practical everywhere, masters masters masters masters of families and rulers will come to him for advice.— "How blind that cannot see serenity!" A true friend of man; almost the only friend of human progress. An Old humanity mortality say rather immortality Mortality, say rather an Immortality, Mortality, say rather an Immortality, Mortality, say rather an Immortality, with unwearied patience and faith making plain the image engraven in men’s bodies, the God of whom they are but defaced and leaning & crumbling leaning leaning leaning monuments. With his hospitable intellect embracing embracing he embraces he embraces he embraces children, beggars, insane, and scholars, and entertains the thought of all, adding to it commonly some breadth and elegance. adding to it perhaps some breadth & elegance adding to it, perhaps commonly, some breadth and elegance adding to it commonly some breadth and elegance. I think that he should keep a caravansary on the world’s highway, where the thinkers the thinkers philosophers philosophers philosophers of all nations might put up, & on his sign might be written & on his sign might be written printed and on his sign might should be printed and on his sign should be printed, "Entertainment for man, but not for his beast. Enter all ye all ye ye ye that have leisure and a quiet mind, who earnestly but without anxiety seek the right road." A thought floats as serenely and as much at home in his mind as a duck pluming himself on a far inland lake but without anxiety seek the right higher road seek the right road." seek the right road." 21b
Former Inhabitants 21b written: F rewritten: F, G

(Ronald Clapper)
r
Revision note: F1: He is
He is
He is He is
perhaps the sanest man and has r
Revision note: F1: with
with
with of has has
the fewest crotchets of any I r
Revision note: F1: ever knew
ever knew chance to know
chance to know; chance to know;
the same yesterday r
Revision note: F1: today & forever
today & forever & tomorrow
and to-morrow. and to-morrow.
r
Revision note: F1: With him it was easy to walk and talk & effectually to put
With him it was easy to walk saunter & talk, & effectually
With him it was easy to saunter and talk Of yore we had sauntered and talked, and effectually Of yore we had sauntered and talked, and effectually
put the world behind us; for he was pledged to no institution in it, r
Revision note: F1:
freeborn, ingenuus .
freeborn, ingenuus. freeborn, ingenuus.
Whichever way we r
Revision note: F1: walked it seemed as if
walked turned, it seemed that
turned, it seemed that turned, it seemed that
the heavens and the earth had met together, r
Revision note: F1: & righteousness & peace had kissed each other
& righteousness & peace had kissed each other for he enhanced the beauty of the landscape
since he enhanced the beauty of the landscape. since he enhanced the beauty of the landscape.
A blue-robed man, whose fittest roof is the overarching sky which reflects his serenity. r
Revision note: F1:
I do not see how he could die—how Nature could spare him
I do not see how he can ever die; how Nature can Nature cannot spare him I do not see how he can ever die; Nature cannot spare him.
22a
Former Inhabitants 22a written: F rewritten: F, G

(Ronald Clapper)
Having each some shingles of thought well dried, we sat and whittled them, trying our knives, and admiring the clear yellowish grain of the pumpkin pine. We waded so gently and reverently, or we pulled together so smoothly, that the fishes of thought were not seared from the stream, nor feared any angler on the bank, but came and went grandly, like the clouds r
Revision note: F1: that float peacefully
that float peacefully
that which float which float
through the western sky, and the mother-o’-pearl flocks r
Revision note: F1: that
that
that which
sometimes form and dissolve there. 22b
Former Inhabitants 22b written: E rewritten: F, G
G: A fair copy was made of only There we worked, revising mythology, rounding a fable here and there, and.

(Ronald Clapper)
There we worked, revising mythology, rounding a fable here and there, and building castles in the air for which earth offered no worthy foundation. Great Thinker! Expecter! Great Thinker Seer! Expecter! Great Looker! Great Expecter! Great Looker! Great Expecter! to converse with whom was a New England Night’s Entertainment. Ah! such discourse we had, hermit and philosopher, and the old settler I have spoken of, —we three,—it expanded and racked my little house; I should not dare to say how many pounds’ weight there was above the atmospheric pressure on every circular inch; it opened its seams so that they had to be caulked & payed calked calked calked with much dulness thereafter to stop the consequent leak;— but I had enough of that kind of oakum already picked.
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Former Inhabitants 23 written: E rewritten: F

(Ronald Clapper)
Others there were one or two who paid me angel visits, looking in upon me from time to time, but no more for society had I there. Others there were, one or two with whom I had "solid seasons," long to be remembered, at their houses in the village & who paid me angel visits, looking in upon me from time to time, but no more for society had I there. There was one other with whom I had "solid seasons," long to be remembered, at his house in the village, and who looked in upon me from time to time; but I had no more for society there. There was one other with whom I had "solid seasons," long to be remembered, at his house in the village, and who looked in upon me from time to time; but I had no more for society there.
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Former Inhabitants 24 written: E rewritten: F

(Ronald Clapper)
There too as here and everywhere I sometimes expected that visitor who never comes There too as here and everywhere I sometimes expected the Visitor who never comes There too, as every where, I sometimes expected the Visitor who never comes. There too, as every where, I sometimes expected the Visitor who never comes. The Vishnu Purana says, "The house-holder is to remain at eventide in his court-yard as long as it takes to milk a cow, or longer if he pleases, to await the arrival of a guest." I often performed this duty of hospitality, waited long enough to milk a whole herd of cows, but did not see the man approaching from the town.

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