In Partnership: Studies in story-telling

by Brander Matthews; H. C. Bunner

Dear Jones: Shelter Island? How long are you going to stay there?

Baby Van Rensselaer: And where are you going?

Dear Jones: I’m going to Sag Harbor to build a house for one of my billionaires.

Baby Van Rensselaer: Sag Harbor? What an extraordinary place for a house.

Dear Jones: Oh, that’s nothing. Last year I had to build a house up in Chemung county.

Baby Van Rensselaer: Chemung?

Dear Jones [spelling it]: C-h-e-m-u-n-g´—accent on the mung. You probably call it Cheémung, but it is really Sh’mung.

Baby Van Rensselaer: Where is it? and how do you get there?

Dear Jones: By the Chemung de fer, of course.

Baby Van Rensselaer: Oh, Mr. Jones.