A Yankee Among the Nullifiers: An Auto-biography

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W. Pearson, 1833 - Nullification (States' rights) - 143 pages
 

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Page 30 - Why, Mister," said he, " this is a free country, and a man has a right to talk, or let it alone, jest as he can afford. Now I've taken a good deal of pains to git here this morning in order to run Sleepy David against some of your Southern hosses. 1 aim a joking, sir; I'm in airnest. I understand there is a purse of two thousand dollars, and 1 should like amazingly to pick it up.
Page 28 - It was this day three years ago, and on this very spot, that I entered my horse Southron for a purse of two thousand dollars. He had won a like sum the year before with all ease. In short he was the best horse at that time in all Carolina. — There were to be sure two other horses, and very fine ones too, entered against him ; but they were no touch to Southron, and I was as sure of winning as I am of sitting here at this moment — when who should come along but a d— — d Yankee with a tin-cart...
Page 9 - Shook his ambrosial curls, and gave the nod, The stamp of fate, and sanction of the god: • But I was too late in my recommendation to Mr.
Page 30 - I aint a joking sir, I'm in airnest. I understand there is a purse of two thousand dollars, and I should like amazingly to pick it up." " You talk of picking up a purse of two thousand dollars with that bit of carrion of yours ! Away with you, and don't trouble us any further." "Well, if I can't run, then I spose I can't, but it's darned hard any how for a man to take so much pains as I have, to come to the races, and then can't be allowed to run arter all.
Page 33 - The horse went pawing along with his tail clinging close to his haunches, and his nose stuck out straight before him ; and you never beheld so queer a figure cut by any man and horse as this singular pair made.
Page 31 - ... find any one to loan him the money, for which he offered to pawn his wagon load of notions and Sleepy David to boot. He asked one, then another, to accommodate him with the loan — declaring that as soon as ever he took the purse, the money should be returned, and he would give a dozen of tin whistles into the bargain. He, however, got more curses than coppers, until some wag, who had plenty of cash, and liked to see the sport go on, lent him the two hundred dollars out of sheer malice. Though,...
Page 32 - Others, who wanted to see the sport, though it should cost some broken bones, encouraged him to proceed — saying, as they laughed aloud, that they had no doubt but he would carry off the purse. « That's what I mean to do," said he—" I haint come here for nothing, I can tell you. Wake up, Sleepy David, and look about you ; you must have your eyes open to-day ; it's no time to be snoozin when there's money at stake.
Page 30 - ... get in yet." I said this by way of getting rid of the fellow, having no idea he could command a fourth part of the sum required. " How much might the entrance money be ?" drawing out a purse containing a few shillings in silver and a few pence in copper.
Page 40 - I am very particular," said he " never to use an article of American manufacture on any eonsideration whatever. It costs me a great deaj more to be sure to obtain those of foreign production. But I am determined not to encourage the advocates of protection ; and would sooner go fifty miles and pay a hundred per cent more than a thing is worth if it be only imported, than have a similar article of American manufacture brought to my very door and sold at a fair price.
Page 29 - It was near the hour of starting, when the pedler, whose exterior corresponded marvellously with that of his horse, and who said his name was Zadock Barker, to the astonishment of all, intimated a wish to enter his horse along with the rest. "Your horse ! " exclaimed I — "what, that sleepy looking devil there ? You'd better enter him for the turkey-buzzards. " "Not as you know on, Mister," returned the Yankee, with some show of spirit.

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