10 A.M.
Its `` innards '' sadly demoralized , but capable of resuscitation , the weights being tin-cans filled with sand and attached by strong twine to the `` works . '' It has to be wound twice daily , and when the hour hand points to six and the other to ten , I guess that it is about quarter past two , and in five minutes I hear the senile timepiece strike eleven ! The scene was unique . The sale had been advertised in post-office and stores as beginning at 10 A.M. , but at eleven the farmers and their women folks were driving toward the house . A dozen old men , chewing tobacco and looking wise , were in the barn yard examining the stock to be sold , the carts and farming tools ; a flock of hens were also to be disposed of , at forty cents each . On such occasions the families from far and near who want to dispose of any old truck are allowed to bring it to add to the motley display . The really valuable possessions , if any , are kept back , either for private sale or to be divided among the heirs .