human
Then comes a Yankee Clockmaker (and here Mr. Slick looked up and smiled),
gpt
Here we were nearly thrown out of the wagon by the breaking down of one of those small wooden bridges, which prove so annoying and so dangerous to travellers.
human
Did you hear that 'ere snap? said he;
gpt
I thought you had disposed of your last clock, said I,
human
So I did, he replied,
gpt
Well, Squire, how do you do, said he,
human
Reasonable well, I give you thanks, won't you alight?
gpt
Can't today, said Mr. Slick,
human
I'm in a considerable of a hurry to katch the packet, have you any commands for Sou'west? I'm goin' to the Island, and across the Bay to Windsor. Any word that way?
gpt
No, says Mr. Allen,
human
Well, I'm glad I can tell you that question, said Slick,
gpt
Don't return! possible? why, how you talk. Have you done with the clock trade?
human
I guess I have, it ain't worth follerin' now.
gpt
Most time, said the other, laughing,
human
It warn't needed in your case, said Mr. Slick, with that peculiarly composed manner, that indicates suppressed feeling,
gpt
said he, throwing down his reins, and affecting a most confidential tone,
human
I felt almost ashamed of them myself; I tell you. The long and short of the matter is jist this: they don't make no good ones nowadays, no more, for they calculate 'em for shippin' and not for home use. I was all struck up of a heap when I seed the last lot I got from the States; I was properly bit by them, you may depend--they didn't pay cost, for I couldn't recommend them with a clear conscience, and I must say I do like a fair deal, for I'm strait up and down, and love to go right ahead, that's a fact. Did you ever see them I fetched when I first came, them I sold over the Bay?
gpt
No, said Mr. Allen,
human
I can't say I did.
gpt
Well, continued he,
human
Have you got it with you? said Mr. Allen,
gpt
I should like to see it.
human
Yes, I have it here, all done up in tow, as snug as a bird's egg, to keep it from jarrin', for it hurts 'em consumedly to jolt 'em over them 'ere etarnal wooden bridges. But it's no use to take it out, it ain't for sale; it's bespoke, and I wouldn't take the same trouble to get another for twenty dollars. The only one that I know of that there's any chance of gettin', is one that Increase Crane has up to Wilmot, they say he's a-sellin' off.