“Time enough,” said Earth, “when I am elected; but at present, I must knock about, to see if I cannot pick up a vote or two.”
“The best way to pick up votes, Earth,” replied an acquaintance, “is to tell a good story.”
“Very well then, Jack,” said Earth, addressing the last speaker, “make a ring and give me fair play, and I will tell one, and whether it be good or bad, I leave you all to judge. It shall be the truth, that is, it shall be something which has happened to me at some time of my life, and if after telling it, you don't vote for me, if I don't lick you, I will agree never to take another 'coon hunt.”
“Then whack away,” said Jack.
“Well, well, well, well, once upon a time,” began Earth.
“And what happened then,” asked one of the group.
“Why, so many things have happened to me,” said Earth, “since I've been rooting about in these woods, that I hardly know what to tell, or which will interest most.”
“Then tell us of the time that you floated down the Ohio.”
“Well, well,” said Earth, bursting out in a loud laugh, “I will tell that, for I had almost clean forgot it; but I was in a predicament, wan't I?”
“Tell us the story and we shall then be able to judge,” said an old hunter, who, standing near, was leaning on his rifle; “do begin, Earth, and make no more preparation; you take as long to git under way as a man does who breaks a yoke of young steers, or greases a pair of cart wheels, before he sets out upon his journey.”