The water is damp and cold, and your rumatiz is fearful." "Dum it all! I hain't a-goin' _in_ the water, am I ?" "I don't know," sez I sadly, "I don't know, Josiah, and anyway the winds sweep down the lagoons, and azmy lingers on its wings.

Pause, Josiah Allen, for my sake, for liniments and poultices as well as clouds have their dark linin's, and they turn 'em out to me as I ponder on your course." Sez I, "Your danger appauls me, and also the idee of bein' up nights with you." "But," sez he firmly, "I _will_ be a gondolier, I'm bound on't.

And," sez he, "I want one of them gorgeous silk dresses that they wear.

I'd love to appear in a red and yeller suit, Samantha, or a green and purple, or a blue and maroon, with a pink sash made of thin glitterin' silk, but I spoze that you will break that up in a minute.

So, I spoze that I shall have to dwindle down onto a silk scarf, or some plumes in my hat, mebby--you never are willin' for me to soar out and spread myself, but you probable wouldn't break up a few feathers." I groaned aloud, and mentally groped round for aid, and instinctively ketched holt of religion.
Sez I, "Elder Minkley is here, Josiah Allen, and Deacon Henzy--Jonesville church is languishin' in debt.