A seaman, who had recently come on shore to live from a California ship, received a bad dollar from one of these merchants. On discovering it, he proceeded to the shop and called for a backgammon-board. Choosing a beautiful one, finished with rich gilt work, he inquired the price. The Chinaman said “three dollars.”
“No, no, John Chinaman; s’pose me no saby you? me live too long Hong Kong; me no fool.”
“Well, s’pose can catchee two dollar, he very good?”
“No, I give you one dollar; proper.”
“Hiyah! how can do! no proper!”
“S’pose you like one dollar, very good; s’pose you no like, very good.”
“Me likey one dollar; two dollar more good; proper; you no see; number one, this fellow; alla same ’nother pigeon (merchant) sell five dollar.”
“Me no give more one dollar; plenty Chinaman speak one dollar proper.”
“Hiyah! Chinaman bloody liar! no speak good; too much lie. S’pose you like catchee one dollar half, proper; s’pose one dollar, no can do.”
“Well, s’pose you no like one dollar, me go ’nother shop.”