What was the character of Smith, as to his drinking?

“It was common then for everybody to drink, and to have drink in the field; one time Joe, while working for some one after he was married, drank too much boiled cider. He came in with his shirt torn; his wife felt bad about it, and when they went home, she put her shawl on him.”

Had he been fighting and drunk?

“No; he had been scuffling with some of the boys. Never saw him fight; have known him to scuffle; would do a fair day’s work if hired out to a man; but were poor managers.”