“Well,” sais old Minus, “how in the world does he own all them animals?”
“If he don’t,” sais preacher, “perhaps you can tell me who does; and if nobody else does, I think his claim won’t be disputed in no court under heaven. Don’t you know him? Go and see him. He will make your fortune as he has done for many others. He is the richest man you ever heard of. He owns the Astor House Hotel to New York, which is bigger than some whole towns on the Nova Scotia coast.” And he could say that with great truth, for I know a town that’s on the chart, that has only a court-house, a groggery, a jail, a blacksmith’s shop, and the wreck of a Quebec vessel on the beach.
“Well, a man went to him lately, and sais he: ‘Are you the great John Jacob?’
“‘I am John Jacob,’ said he, ‘but I ain’t great. The sun is so almighty hot here in New York, no man is large; he is roasted down like a race-horse.’
“‘I don’t mean that,’ said the poor man, bowin’ and beggin’ pardon.
“‘Oh,’ sais he, ‘you mean great-grandfather,’ laughing. ‘No, I hante come that yet; but Astoria Ann Oregon, my grand-daughter, says I am to be about the fore part of next June.’
“Well, the man see he was getting rigged, so he came to the pint at once. Sais he, ‘Do you want a clerk?’
“‘I guess I do,’ said he. ‘Are you a good accountant?’
“‘Have been accountant-book-keeper and agent for twenty-five years,’ sais stranger.
“Well, John Jacob see the critter wouldn’t suit him, but he thought he would carry out the joke. Sais he, ‘How would you like to take charge of my almighty everlastin’ property?’