Chapter 2

           Onemorning,towardsthelatterpartofthemonthofMarch,1841,havingatthattimenoparticularbusinesstoengagemyattention,IwaswalkingaboutthevillageofSaratogaSprings,thinkingtomyselfwhereImightobtainsomepresentemployment,untilthebusyseasonshouldarrive. Anne,aswasherusualcustom,hadgoneovertoSandyHill,adistanceofsometwentymiles,totakechargeoftheculinarydepartmentatSherrill’sCoffeeHouse,duringthesessionofthecourt. Elizabeth,Ithink,hadaccompaniedher. MargaretandAlonzowerewiththeirauntatSaratoga. 

           OnthecornerofCongressstreetandBroadway,nearthetavern,then,andforaughtIknowtothecontrary,stillkeptbyMr.Moon,Iwasmetbytwogentlemenofrespectableappearance,bothofwhomwereentirelyunknowntome. Ihavetheimpressionthattheywereintroducedtomebysomeoneofmyacquaintances,butwho,Ihaveinvainendeavoredtorecall,withtheremarkthatIwasanexpertplayerontheviolin. 

           Atanyrate,theyimmediatelyenteredintoconversationonthatsubject,makingnumerousinquiriestouchingmyproficiencyinthatrespect. Myresponsesbeingtoallappearancessatisfactory,theyproposedtoengagemyservicesforashortperiod,stating,atthesametime,Iwasjustsuchapersonastheirbusinessrequired. Theirnames,astheyafterwardsgavethemtome,wereMerrillBrownandAbramHamilton,thoughwhethertheseweretheirtrueappellations,Ihavestrongreasonstodoubt. Theformerwasamanapparentlyfortyyearsofage,somewhatshortandthick-set,withacountenanceindicatingshrewdnessandintelligence. Heworeablackfrockcoatandblackhat,andsaidheresidedeitheratRochesteroratSyracuse.