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of vision and a strict lookout to his own personal well-being, that would have done credit to any white patriot in Washington. Its an ill wind dat blow nowhar,dat ar a fact, said Sam, sententiously, giving an additional hoist to his pantaloons, and adroitly substituting a long nail in place of a missing suspender-button, with which effort of mechanical genius he seemed highly delighted. Yes, its an ill wind blows nowhar, he repeated. Now, dar, Toms downwal, course ders room for some nigger to be upand why not dis nigger?dats de idee. Tom, a ridin round de countryboots blackedpass in his pocketall grand as Cuffeebut who he? Now, why shouldnt Sam?dats what I want to know. Halloo, SamO Sam! Masr wants you to cotch Bill and Jerry, said Andy, cutting short Sams soliloquy. High! whats afoot now, young un? Why, you dont know, I spose, that Lizys cut stick, and clared out, with her young un? You teach your granny! said Sam, with infinite contempt; knowed it a heap sight sooner than you did; this nigger ant so green, now! Well, anyhow, Masr wants Bill and Jerry geared right up; and you and I s to go with Masr Haley, to look arter her. Good, now! dats de time o day! said Sam. Its Sam dats called for in dese yer times. Hes de nigger. See if I dont cotch her, now; Masrll see what Sam can do! Ah! but, Sam, said Andy, youd better think twice; for Missis dont want her cotched, and shell be in yer wool. High! said Sam, opening his eyes. How you know dat? Heard her say so, my own self, dis blessed mornin, when I bring in Masrs shaving-water. She sent me to see why Lizy didnt come to dress her; and when I telled her she was off, she jest ris up, and ses she, The Lord be praised; and Masr, he seemed rael mad, and ses he, Wife, you talk like a fool. But Lor! shell bring him to! I knows well enough how thatll be,its allers best to stand Missis side the fence, now I tell yer. Black Sam, upon this, scratched his woolly pate, which, if it did not contain very profound wisdom, still contained a great deal of a particular species much in demand among politicians of all complexions and countries, and vulgarly denominated knowing which side the bread is buttered; so, stopping with grave consideration, he again gave a hitch to his pantaloons, which was his regularly organized method of assisting his mental perplexities. Der ant no sayingneverbout no kind o thing in dis yer world, he said, at last. Sam spoke like a philosopher, emphasizing thisas if he had had a large experience in different sorts of worlds, and therefore had come to his conclusions advisedly. Now, sartin Id a said that Missis would a scoured the varsal world after Lizy, added Sam, thoughtfully. So she would, said Andy; but cant ye see through a ladder, ye black nigger? Missis dont want dis yer Masr Haley to get Lizys boy; dats de go! High! said Sam, with an indescribable intonation, known only to those who have heard it among the negroes. |
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