He went upon a hill overlooking the village, and obtained an excellent view from its summit.

It was a pleasant, well-built village of perhaps three thousand inhabitants, with outlying farms and farm-houses.

Along the principal streets the dwellings and stores were closely built, so as to make it seem quite city-like.

It was the shire town of the county, and being the largest place in the neighborhood, country people for miles around traded at its stores.

Farmers' wives came to Centreville to make purchases, just as ladies living within a radius of thirty miles visit New York and Boston, for a similar purpose.