"As I was sayin', that hoss was perfeckly astonishin'.

On the day of which I was speakin'.

I was ridin' him down yer by the creek, clost by the corn-field, and I was jest about to wade him in, when, all of a suddent-like, he--" _Mrs.Keyser_ (at the door, and with her voice pitched at a high key).
"ARE you goin' to fetch that ham from the smoke-house, or ARE you goin' to set there jabberin' and go without your supper?
If that ham isn't here in short order, I'll know the reason why.

You hear me ?" _Keyser_ (his face red and his manner excited).

"_Gra_-SHUS! If this isn't--Well, well! this just lays over all the--Pshaw! Mr.Butterwick, if you'll hold on for a second, I'll be with you agin.