Sam was a light-skinned darky of middle age, with an ever bright and ready reply for all. He was employed in the street department of the town of D——. One day a gentleman finding him at work tearing up some cobblestones from the street, and desiring to hear one of his witty replies, asked him what he was doing. Sam replied,
"Why, sah, I's er-pullin' up de street; by-and-by I's goin' to pull up de riber."
"Pull up the river! Why, Sam, that's a gigantic job. You'll have to pump and haul many a year before you can accomplish that."
"If youse want ter see me do it, I's willin'."
"Well, Sam, I would like to see how you would go about it; and if you can prove to me that you can finish such a job even within a year, I will treat you to a suit of Sunday clothes."
"Yah, yah, yah!" laughed Sam. "Come 'long, sah, I's'll prove dat shuah!"
And off he started for the river with the gentleman and several other people who had gathered around during the conversation. Reaching the river, Sam piloted the gentleman and the crowd to an old skiff. Jumping into it, he seized the oars and started rowing, shouting as he did so, "Dere, sah! I's er-pullin' up de riber now!"
The gentleman gave in, and Sam got his clothes.
Papa. "Why, Dick! Jack! how you quarrel, and all for a little penny!"