him one-half of it, together with an equal division of
all his earthly goods : to wit— two goats, of which Phelim
was to get one ; six hens and a cock, of which Phelim
was to get three hens and a chance of a toss-up for the
cock ; four stools, of which Phelim was to get two ;
two pots — a large one and a small one — the former to
go with Phelim ; three horn spoons, of which Phelim
was to get one and the chance of a toss-up for the third.
Phelim was to bring his own bed, provided he did not
prefer getting a bottle of fresh straw as a connubial
luxury. The blanket was a tender subject ; for, having
been fourteen years in employment, it entangled the
father and Phelim touching the prudence of the latter
claiming it all. The son was at length compelled to
give it up, at least in the character of an appendage to
his marriage property. He feared that the wife, should
he not be able to replace it by a new one, or should she
herself not be able to bring him one as part of her dowry,
would find the honeymoon rather lively. Phelim's
bedstead admitted of no dispute, the floor of the cabin
having served him in that capacity ever since he began
to sleep in a separate bed. His pillow was his small-
clothes, and his quilt his own coat, under which he
slept snugly enough.
