It ain't the first time they have
escaped by changing their sign-board."
"Exactly," said I, "a ship ain't like a dog that can only answer to
one name; and 'Sary Ann' is as good as the 'Black Hawk,' every mite
and morsel. There is a good deal of fun in altering sign-boards. I
recollect wunst, when I was a boy, there was a firm to Slickville who
had this sign over their shop:
'Gallop and More,
Taylors.'
"Well, one Saturday-night brother Josiah and I got a paintbrush, and
altered it in this way:
'Gallop and 8 More
Taylors
Make a man.'
"Lord, what a commotion it made. Next day was Sunday; and as the folks
were going to church, they stood and laughed and roared like anything.
It made a terrible hulla-bulloo.
"'Sam,' said Minister to me, 'what in natur is all that ondecent noise
about so near the church-door.'
"I told him. It was most too much for him, but he bit in his breath,
and tried to look grave; but I see a twinkle in his eye, and the
corner of his mouth twitch, the way your eyelid does sometimes when a
nerve gets a dancing involuntarily.
"'A very foolish joke, Sam,' he said; 'it may get you into trouble.'
"'Why, Minister,' said I, 'I hope you don't think that--'
"'No,' said he, 'I don't think at all, I know it was you, for it's
just like you.
Pages:
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62