" Then we coasted
along the shore, tying up at various little piers, where the small
farmers' and fishermen's families came on board to make purchases.
Now Abner was in his glory. Wearing a long apron made of blue-and-white
bed-ticking, he stood behind the counter in the little house on deck,
and appeared to be much more at ease weighing sugar, coffee, and flour
than in assisting to weigh anchor. I seated myself in the corner of this
floating grocery, crowded, shelves, floor, and counter, with such goods
as might be expected to be found at an ordinary country store.
It seemed to me that nearly every one who lived near the points at which
we touched came on board the floating grocery, but most of them came to
talk, and not to buy. Many of those who did make purchases brought farm
produce or fish, with which to "trade." It was an interesting spectacle,
and amused me. During our slow progress from one place to another,
Captain Jabe told me of an old woman who once offered him an egg which
she wished to take out in groceries, half in tea and half in snuff.
"We don't often do business down as fine as that," said the captain;
"but then, on the other hand, we don't calkerlate to supply hotels, and
couldn't if we wanted to.
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