For greater
emphasis the name of the firm of Messrs Fulke, Warner &
Murchison was painted on the windows also; it could be
seen from any part of the market square, which lay, with
the town hall in the middle, immediately below. During
four days in the week the market square was empty. Odds
and ends of straw and paper blew about it; an occasional
pedestrian crossed it diagonally for the short cut to
the post-office; the town hall rose in the middle, and
defied you to take your mind off the ugliness of municipal
institutions. On the other days it was a scene of activity.
Farmers' wagons, with the shafts turned in were ranged
round three sides of it; on a big day they would form
into parallel lanes and cut the square into sections as
well. The produce of all Fox County filled the wagons,
varying agreeably as the year went round. Bags of potatoes
leaned against the sidewalk, apples brimmed in bushel
measures, ducks dropped their twisted necks over the cart
wheels; the town hall, in this play of colour, stood
redeemed. The produce was mostly left to the women to
sell. On the fourth side of the square loads of hay and
cordwood demanded the master mind, but small matters of
fruit, vegetables, and poultry submitted to feminine
judgement. The men "unhitched," and went away on their
own.
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