It was by far the finest house in Bayport, and Heman made it finer as the years passed.

There were imitation brownstone pillars supporting its front porch, iron dogs and scroll work iron benches bordering its front walk, and a pair of stone urns, in summer filled with flowers, beside its big iron front gate.
Heman was our leading citizen, our representative in Washington, and the town's philanthropist.

He gave the Atkins memorial window and the Atkins tower clock to the Methodist Church.

The Atkins town pump, also his gift, stood before the townhall.

The Atkins portrait in the Bayport Ladies' Library was much admired; and the size of the Atkins fortune was the principal subject of conversation at sewing circle, at the table of "the perfect boarding house," around the stove in Simmons's store, or wherever Bayporters were used to gather.