then--more freely than at the present day, perhaps--accorded to the country
merchant by the masses among whom he resided. And, finding his still
comparatively moderate expectations thus every day fully realized, he was
satisfied with his condition in the present, and hopeful and happy in the
prospects it presented in the future; for the demon of unlawful gain had
not then tempted him into forbidden paths by the lure of sudden riches.

But that demon at length came in the shape of Gaut Gurley. From what part
of the country this singular and questionable personage originally came,
was unknown, even in the neighboring village (which was within the borders
of Maine) where he had recently located himself with a young wife and
child. And, as he very rarely made any allusions to his own personal
affairs, every thing relating to his origin, life, and employments,
previous to his appearance in this region, was a matter of mere conjecture,
and many a dark surmise, also, we should add, respecting his true
character. For the last few years, however, he was known to have followed,
at the appropriate seasons of the year, the business of trapping, or
trading for furs with the Indians, around the northern lakes. He had
several times passed through the village on his returns from his northern
tours, and called on the Elwoods, whose contrasted characters he seemed
soon to understand. But he pressed no bargains upon them for his peltries;
for, disliking the close questionings and scrutinizing glances of Arthur,
and finding he could make no final trade with Mark without the assent of
the former, he gave up all attempts of the kind, and did not call again
during the continuance of the partnership, nor till this time; when,
finding that Mark was in trade alone, he announced his intention of
spending some time in the village, to see what arrangements could be made,
as he at first held out to Elwood, for establishing this as his place for
the regular sales or deposit of his furs.