Old Uncle Smedly would call us young, and we be, compared to him." "Wall," sez I, "through the purblind gaze of ninety winters we may look younger, but bald heads and spectacles, Josiah Allen, tell their own silent story.

We are not young, Josiah Allen, and all our lyin' and pretendin' won't make us so." "Wall, dum it all! I never shall be any younger.

You can't dispute that." "No," sez I; "I don't spoze you will, in this spear." "Wall, I am bound to go out in a gondola, I am bound to be a gondolier before I die.

So you may as well make up your mind first as last, and the sooner I go, the younger I shall go.

Hain't that so ?" With a deep sithe I answered, "I spoze so." And he continued on, "There is such wild, free pleasure on the deep, Samantha." But, sez I, layin' down the sword of common sense, and takin' up the weepons of affection, "Think of the dangers, Josiah.