A Darkey On Shore Who Had Observed The Boat Go By,
About Thirteen Times, Said, 'clar To Gracious, I Wouldn't Be S'prised If
Dey's A Whole Line O' Dem Sk'ylarks!'
Anecdote illustrative of influence of reputation in the changing of
opinion.
The 'Eclipse' was renowned for her swiftness. One day she
passed along; an old darkey on shore, absorbed in his own matters, did
not notice what steamer it was. Presently someone asked -
'Any boat gone up?'
'Yes, sah.'
'Was she going fast?'
'Oh, so-so - loafin' along.'
'Now, do you know what boat that was?'
'No, sah.'
'Why, uncle, that was the "Eclipse."'
'No! Is dat so? Well, I bet it was - cause she jes' went by here a-
SPARKLIN'!'
Piece of history illustrative of the violent style of some of the people
down along here, During the early weeks of high water, A's fence rails
washed down on B's ground, and B's rails washed up in the eddy and
landed on A's ground. A said, 'Let the thing remain so; I will use your
rails, and you use mine.' But B objected - wouldn't have it so. One
day, A came down on B's ground to get his rails. B said, 'I'll kill
you!' and proceeded for him with his revolver. A said, 'I'm not armed.'
So B, who wished to do only what was right, threw down his revolver;
then pulled a knife, and cut A's throat all around, but gave his
principal attention to the front, and so failed to sever the jugular.
Struggling around, A managed to get his hands on the discarded revolver,
and shot B dead with it - and recovered from his own injuries.
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