Drinking, gambling, quarrels, fights, and shockingly immoral practices were frequent.

All who lived in the little town were in one way or another connected with the salt business.

Though I was a mere child, my stepfather put me and my brother at work in one of the furnaces.

Often I began work as early as four o'clock in the morning.
The first thing I ever learned in the way of book knowledge was while working in this salt-furnace.

Each salt-packer had his barrels marked with a certain number.