Короли и капуста
The Shamrock and the Palm
"Theseconddayouthewasfeelin’prettybraggyanduppishforastowed-awayconspiratorthatowedhisexistencetoamuleandstolenbananas.Hewastellin’meaboutthegreatrailroadhehadbeenbuildin’,andherelateswhathecallsacomicincidentaboutafoolIrishmanheinveigledfromNewOrleanstoslingapickonhislittlemorgueofanarrow-gaugeline.’Twassorrowfultohearthelittle,dirtygeneraltelltheopprobriousstoryofhowheputsaltuponthetailofthatrecklessandsillybird,Clancy.Laugh,hedid,heartyandlong.Heshookwithlaughin’,theblack-facedrebelandoutcast,standin’neck-deepinbananas,withoutfriendsorcountry.
"‘Ah,señor,’hesnickers,‘tothedeathyouwouldhavelaughedatthatdrollestIrish.Isaytohim:"Strong,bigmansisneedverymuchinGuatemala.""Iwillblowsstrikeforyourdown-pressedcountry,"hesay."Thatshallyoudo,"Itellhim.Ah!itwasanIrishsocomic.Heseesoneboxbreakuponthewharfthatcontainfortheguardafewgun.Hethinkthereisguninallthebox.Butthatisallpickaxe.Yes.Ah!señor,couldyouthefaceofthatIrishhaveseenwhentheysethimtothework!’
"’Twasthustheexbossoftheemploymentbureaucontributedtothetediumofthetripwithmerryjestsandanecdote.Butnowandthenhewouldweepuponthebananasandmakeorationaboutthelostcauseoflibertyandthemule.
"’TwasapleasantsoundwhenthesteamerbumpedagainstthepierinNewOrleans.
