I whispered to the general that slavery wasn't on the map at all; and he confidentially informed me, that I be dam.
We then repaired to a house where the ladies had a very happy expression of countenance, and told us that it was a pleasant day. The general accidentally filled a wine glass with the deuce of the grape, and says he: "Ladies, suffer me to articulate the compliments of the season. This aromatic beverage," says he, "is but a liquid presentment of your blushes and glances. Let us trust that within a year our country will resume the blessings of peace, and the unhappy bondman will be obliterated from the map."
One of the ladies said, "te-he."
Another said that she felt "he! he! he!"
"I believe her, my boy!"
As we returned to the street, I told the general that he'd better leave out the map at the next place, and he said that he'd do it if he was'nt afraid that Congress would'nt confirm his appointment, if he did.
We then visited a family where the ladies had faces beaming with happiness, and observed that it was really a beautiful day. The general happened to be placed near a cut-glass goblet, and says he: "Ladies, in compliance with the day we celebrate, I offer the compliments of the season. This mantling nectar," says he, "blushes like women and glitters like her orbs. Let us pray that in the coming twelve months, the stars and stripes will be re-established, and the negro removed from the map."
He also said hic, my boy; and one of the ladies wanted "to know what that meant?"
I told her that Hic was a Latin term from Cicero de Officiis, and meant Hic jacet—hear lies.
"O!" says she, "te-he-he!"