"Well, I hev," resolutely echoed the Yankee.
"You have, eh?"
"E' yes, plenty on 'em—eout in Illinoi; seen fellers eout there that never seen an iron hinge or a razor in their lives!"
"I wasn't aware our western friends were so far behind the times as that," said the clerk.
"It's a fact—dreadful, tew, to be eout in a place like that," continued the Yankee. "I kept school eout there, nigh on to a year; couldn't stand it—"
"Ah, indeed!" mechanically echoed the poor clerk.
"No, sir; dreadful place, some parts of Illinoi; folks air almighty green; couldn't tell how old they air, nuff on 'em; when they get mighty old and bald-headed, they stop and die off, of their own accord."
"Illinois must be a healthy place?" observed the clerk.
"Healthy place! I guess not, mister; fever and ague sweetens 'em, I tell you. O, it's dreadful, fever and ague is!"
"That caused you to leave, I suppose?" said the clerk.