some new wonder we don't understand comes in our way, we are
ready to reject it and say it is a lie. But you know, Josiah
Allen," sez I, jest ready to go on eloquent -

But I wuz interrupted jest here by my companion hollerin' up in a
loud voice to a boy, "Here! you stop that, you young scamp! Don't
you let me see you a doin' that agin!"

Sez I, "What is it, Josiah Allen?"

"Why look at them young imps, a throwin' sticks at that feeble
old woman, over there."

I looked, and my own heart wuz rousted up with indignation. I
stood where I couldn't see her face, but I see she wuz old,
feeble, and bent, a withered poor old creeter, and they had
marked up over her, her name, Aunt Sally.

I too wuz burnin' indignant to see a lot of young creeters a
throwin' sticks at her, and I cried out loud, "Do you let Sarah
be."

They turned round and laughed in our faces, and I went on: "I'd
be ashamed of myself if I wuz in your places to be a throwin'
sticks at that feeble old woman. Why don't you spend your
strengths a tryin' to do sunthin' for her? Git her a home, and
sunthin' to eat, and a better dress. Before I'd do what you are
a doin' now, I'd growvel in the dust. Why, if you wuz my boys
I'd give you as good a spankin' as you ever had."