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Quiller-Couch, Arthur Thomas, Sir, 1863-1944

"The Astonishing History of Troy Town"

That's what the yarn's about, tho'; so us'll go slow, ef
you plaise, an' hush a bit, as Mary Beswetherick said to th'
ingine-driver.
"Now, Lawyer Mennear was a circuit-preacher, o' the Wesleyan Methody
persuash'n, tho' he'd a-got to cross-pupposes wi' the rest o' the
brethren an' runned a sect all to hissel', which he called th' United
Free Church o' 'Rig'nal Seceders. They was called 'Rig'nal Seceders
for short, an' th' ould man had a toler'ble dacent followin', bein' a
fust-class mover o' souls an' powerful hot agen th' unregenrit, which
didn' prevent hes bein' a miserable ould varmint, an' so deep as
Garrick in hes ord'nary dealin's. Aw, he was a reg'lar split-fig,
an' 'ud go where the devil can't, an' that's atween the oak an' the
rind."
"I see," said Mr. Fogo.
"Iss, sir. Why, the very fust day I tuk sarvice--I was a tiny tacker
then--he says to me, 'Caleb, my boy, you'm lookin' all skin an' bones
for the present, but there's no knawin' what Penhellick beef and
pudden may do for 'ee yet, ef 'tes eaten wi' a thankful heart.
Hows'ever, 'bout the work. I wants you to take the dree jackasses
an' go to beach for ore-weed, an' as I likes to gie a good boy like
you a vew privileges, you be busy an' carry so many seams [1] as you
can, an' I'll gie drappence for ivery seam more'n twenty.


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