Part 23 (1/2)

CHAPTER XX

Iood thatearth and skies, Allures from far, and, as I follow, flies

GOLDSMITH

Whenever Toether, it was pretty certain that there was some mischief afoot, and a feords of the conversation, which we overhear, as they walk down the street in company, leave no doubt on the subject

”You see, Pri, ”the foolish fellow ain't cured yet”

”Let us insult ober his case,” said Prih; but, he's as parvarse as the nine lives of a cat Why, there was the whack at the island, and, then, the jam on the ice, and, last, the scare in the snowstorm; a fellow's unreasonable to wantout his platter”

”What you want to put in, Missa Gladding?”

”So hi ways”

”Well, you is a good cook What you up to dis ti at the idea of more tricks

”Colored people is celebrated for their contrivances; so, scratch your wool, and give us the benefit of your genius”

”De sheep hab no gurave at this allusion to his hair

”I tell you what I want you to do,” said Toravity, and certain that the old felloas unable to resist the temptation to a frolic; ”but, don't let's stand here all day talking Folks ive you my idees”

They an to brighten, and his eyes to glisten; and he parted fro, and in the highest good huero hunted up Basset, and soon learned fro fellow, at first, pretended to dissuade hi care, at the saht be inferred, there was no difficulty in apprehending the fugitive He, at last, let out the fact, rather unwillingly, as it see his hut, in the evening, on visits--as the General supposed--to his friends in the village The constable caught at the bait, and, having lost all fear of any resistance, on the part of the Solitary, persuaded Primus, with some difficulty, to allow hi his assistance, at the sareed, that the saht should be devoted to enforce the de shut in, Basset--agreeably to the preconcerted plan, presented himself at the hut of the General, and took his station at thethat commanded, for quite a distance, a view of the road The , and her beauish objects The constable sighed, as he took his seat, and declared that, in all his experience, he never had so al business It was the General's cue to encourage his visitor, and keep up his resolution

He, therefore, said, in a cheerful tone--

”Folks say, dere is nebber no lane but hab one turn Now, dis is de turn See, how de road twist round it hiive it up, and the State of Connecticut round you arrit allers carry de day”

”When I think it all over,” said the constable, , ”it seems kind o' queer I'one by, I shouldn't wonder if soive it up yet I don't forget the old chap's knocking h I'd been no better than a woodchuck or a skunk”

”How it feel, Missa Basset?” inquired Pririn ”Did de old el?”

”You needn't show your ivory,” said the constable, whom the remembrance of his misfortune irritated; ”I wish to conscience you'd felt it yourself; you'd have known, then, without the need of asking questions”

”Golly! Missa Basset,” exclaiib my arm sich a winch when de ole man kick you behind, or knock you ober (I nebber knohich) dat I feel hinantly ”'Twas a regular assault with a club, I tell you”

”Well, I shouldn't like sich salt on ood to keep de wound fro cold”

”I tell you what, darkey,” cried the constable, losing patience at the other's sneers ”You talk like an old fool If you hain't got anything pleasanter to say, you ht as well shut up”