When the first settlers came there and planted a crop, they hadn't any gristmill.

So they got together and made that 'ere mortar out of a block of granite.

They pecked that big, deep hole in it with a hammer and hand-drill.

That hole is more'n two feet deep, but they pecked it out, and then made a big stone pestle nearly as heavy as a man could lift, to pound their corn.
"They used to haul that mortar and pestle round from one log house to another, and pounded all their corn-meal in it.
"Now d'ye know what I would do if I was President?
I'd get out that old stone mortar and pestle, and I'd put all the hard money in this country in it, all the rich man's hard money, and I'd pound it all up fine.

I'd make meal on't!" "And what would you do with the meal ?" some one cried.
Uncle Solon banged his fist on the desk.