Королі та капуста

           "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.