THE ARTFULNESS OF SAM In the early days of Ellisville society was alike in costume and custom, and as unsuspicious as it would have been intolerant of any idea of rank or class.

A "beef" was a beef, and worth eight dollars.
A man was a man, worth as much as his neighbour, and no more.

Each man mended his own saddle.

Thus society remained until there ensued that natural division which has been earlier mentioned, by which there became established two groups or classes--the dwellers in the Cottage and the dwellers in the Stone Hotel.

This was at first a matter of choice, and carried no idea of rank or class distinction, For a brief time there might have been found support for that ideally inaccurate statement of our Constitution which holds that all men are born free and equal, entitled to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.