A Tramp Abroad — Volume 04 by Mark Twain
page 5 of 99 (05%)
page 5 of 99 (05%)
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His heart breaks, he goes away to die in the woods,
far from the cruel world--for he says, bitterly, "What is man, without manure?" 1. When Baedeker's guide-books mention a thing and put two stars (**) after it, it means well worth visiting. M.T. [Interval of six months.] Paul Hoch comes to old Huss and says, "I am at last as rich as you required--come and view the pile." Old Huss views it and says, "It is sufficient--take her and be happy,"--meaning Gretchen. [Interval of two weeks.] Wedding party assembled in old Huss's drawing-room. Hoch placid and content, Gretchen weeping over her hard fate. Enter old Huss's head bookkeeper. Huss says fiercely, "I gave you three weeks to find out why your books don't balance, and to prove that you are not a defaulter; the time is up--find me the missing property or you go to prison as a thief." Bookkeeper: "I have found it." "Where?" Bookkeeper (sternly--tragically): "In the bridegroom's pile!--behold the thief--see him blench and tremble!" [Sensation.] Paul Hoch: Lost, lost!"--falls over the cow in a swoon and is handcuffed. Gretchen: "Saved!" Falls over the calf in a swoon of joy, but is caught in the arms of Hans Schmidt, who springs in at that moment. Old Huss: |
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