“If a qualified preëmptioner enter upon a portion of the public domain, with the intention to preëmpt the same, and performs all the acts necessary to perfect his preëmptive right, except the payment of the purchase price, the government may, nevertheless, at any time before the price is actually paid, or tendered, devote the land to another purpose, and thereby wholly defeat the right of preëmption.” — California Reports, July, 1871, Vol. 41, pp. 658-9.

In one week, my house was made weather-tight, and thoroughly cleansed from top to bottom […]

She'll have a fit when she finds out a younger woman got the job she was hoping for.

I think I am furnished for [=with] Cather'ne pears, [enough] for one undermeal.