It's a reminder, and keeps down my pride, for
when I get to feelin' pretty big, after hearin' myself pointed out as
Peterkin the millionaire, I go out to that old boat in the back yard,
and says I, '_'Liza Ann_,' says I, 'you and me has took many a trip up
and down the canal, with about the wust crew, and the wust hosses, and
the wust boys that was ever created, and though you've got a new coat of
paint onto you, and can set still all day and do nothing while I can
wear the finest broadcloth and set still, too, it won't do for us to
forget the pit from which we was dug, and I don't forget it neither, no
more than I forgit favors shown when I was not fust cut. You, sir, rode
on the _'Liza Ann_ with that crony of yours--Hastings was his name--and
you paid me han'some, though I didn't ask nothin'; and ther's your
brother--Frank, I call him. I don't forgit that he used to speak to me
civil when I was nobody, and now, though I'm a Dimocrat, as everybody
knows me knows, and everybody most does know me, for Shannondale allus
was my native town, I'm goin' to run him into Congress, if it takes my
bottom dollar, and anybody, Republican or Dimocrat; who don't vote him
ain't my friend, and must expect to feel the full heft of my--my--'
'Powerful disapprobation,' Arthur said, softly, and Peterkin continued:
'Thank you, sir, that's the word--powerful, sir, powerful, powerful,'
and he glowered threateningly at two or three young men in white kids
and high shirt collars, who were known to prefer the opposing candidate.
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