I stood before what seemed to be a great city. Endless white towers riz up as if callin’ attention to ’em.” (See page 226)

228

I see she wuz luny as the park, but didn’t argy, and passed on furder when a man out of a row of great tall men dressed in red, took the piece of paper from me. He took it right out of my hand, and if there is anything wrong goin’ on between him and the girl that gin it to me I hain’t to blame, and want it understood that I hain’t.

Anon I see a dancin’ pavilion big enough for all the folks in Jonesville and Zoar to dance in at one time. But I never thought of dancin’ or two-steppin’ myself, though the music wuz enticin’ to them easy enticed. But knowin’ the infinite variety of fads my pardner had indulged in, I cast some searchin’ glances at the dancers and two-steppers as I went past, but to my relief I see that he wuz not among ’em.

On the left side, as I strolled along, I see a big butcher shop, with hull sides of beef, mutton, pork, hams, chickens, etc., hangin’ up. And a long counter, piled full of invitin’ lookin’ pieces ready to roast or brile. The butcher in a clean white apron stood behind the counter. Everything looked good and clean, but I’d hearn of city meat givin’ toe main pizen, and knowin’ Josiah’s fondness for meat vittles—I asked anxiously, “Are you sure the critters this meat come from hadn’t got cow consumption, or hog cholera?”

A friendly female standin’ by said, “Every 229 mite of that is candy.” And she offered me a piece of sassidge, and asked which I preferred, wintergreen or peppermint.

I answered mekanically that I seasoned my sassidge with sage and pepper. Agin she affirmed that everything in the butcher shop wuz candy.

I didn’t argy, but merely said, “It is enough to deceive the very electioneers.”