The clockmaker , or The sayings and doings of Samuel Slick of Slickville - Softcover

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1838 edition. Excerpt: ... on one excuse or another, and frightened some on them, as the naked statue did the factory gall, into fits a'most. But the English we have to soft sawder, for they've got little sloops o' war, too, as well as we have; and not only show their teeth, but bite like bull-dogs. We shampoo them,--you know what shampooing is, 'squire, don't you? It is an Eastern custom, I think, said I: I have heard of it, but I do not retain a very distinct recollection of the practice. Well, said the Clockmaker, I estimate I ought to know what it means any how? for I came plaguy nigh losin' my life by it once. When I was gist twenty years old, I took it into my head I'd like to go to sea,--so father got me a berth of supercargo of a whaler at New Bedford, and away we went arter sperm: an amazin' long voyage we had of it too--gone nearly three years. Well, we put into Sandwich Island for refreshments; and says the captain, 'Spose we go and call on the queen! So all us cabin party went, and dressed ourselves up full fig, and were introduced in due form to the young queen. Well, she was a rael, right down, pretty lookin' heifer, and no mistake; well dressed and well demeaned, and a plaguy sight clearer skin'd than some white folks--for they bathe every day a'most. Where you'd see one piece of furniture better than her, you'll see fifty worser ones, / know. What is your father, Mr. Shleek? says she. A prince, marot, said I. And hisn, ugly man's? says she, pin tin' to the captain. A prince too, said I, and all this party are priuces; fathers all sovereigns to home--no bigger men than them, neither there nor any where else in the univarsal world. Then, said she, you all dine wid me to-day; me proud to have de prinches to my table. If she didn't give us a rigular...