From the text, we can infer that Twain is describing the people of the town through his description. The young men are lazy, and the town is strewn together. The stores have little to offer, and the people have nothing with which to pay. A number of homes have been abandoned, others were inhabited and dangerous to live in. Through this description, Twain illustrates the hopelessness of the people, their lack of incentive, and the conditions that cause their apathy.
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