Королі та капуста
The Shamrock and the Palm
"Theygavemeapick,andItookit,meditatin’aninsurrectiononthespot;buttherewastheguardshandlin’theWinchesterscareless,andIcometotheconclusionthatdiscretionwasthebestpartoffilibusterin’.Therewasaboutahundredofusinthegangstartin’outtowork,andthewordwasgiventomove.IstepsoutoftheranksandgoesuptothatGeneralDeVegaman,whowassmokin’acigarandgazin’uponthescenewithsatisfactionsandglory.Hesmilesatmepoliteanddevilish.‘Plentywork,’sayshe,‘forbig,strongmansinGuatemala.Yes.T’irtydollarsinthemonth.Goodpay.Ah,yes.Youstrong,braveman.Bimebywepushthoserailroadinthecapitalveryquick.Theywantyougoworknow.Adios,strongmans.’
"‘Monseer,’saysI,lingerin’,‘willyoutellapoorlittleIrishmanthis:WhenIsetfootonyourcockroachysteamer,andbreathedliberalandrevolutionarysentimentsintoyoursourwine,didyouthinkIwasconspirin’toslingapickonyourcontemptuouslittlerailroad?Andwhenyouansweredmewithpatrioticrecitations,humpingupthestar-spangledcauseofliberty,didyouhavemeditationsofreducin’metotheranksofthestump-grubbin’Dagoesinthechain-gangsofyourvileandgrovelin’country?’
"Thegeneralmanexpandedhisrotundityandlaughedconsiderable.Yes,helaughedverylongandloud,andI,Clancy,stoodandwaited.
"‘Comicalmans!’heshouts,atlast.‘Soyouwillkillmefromthelaughing.Yes;itishardtofindthebrave,strongmanstoaidmycountry.
