ain't nothin' above particular to do, and the cab hire
don't cost more nor the price of a dinner; but hang me
if ever I go to a Swoi-ree agin. I've had enough of
that, to last me _my_ life, I know. A dinner I hante no
objection to, though that ain't quite so bright as a
pewter button nother, when you don't know you're right
and left, hand man. And an evenin' party, I wouldn't take
my oath I wouldn't go to, though I don't know hardly what
to talk about, except America; and I've bragged so much
about that, I'm tired of the subject. But a _Swoi-ree is
the devil, that's a fact_."




CHAPTER XII.

TATTERSALL'S OR, THE ELDER AND THE GRAVE DIGGER.

"Squire," said Mr. Slick, "it ain't rainin' to-day;
suppose you come along with me to Tattersall's. I have
been studyin' that place a considerable sum to see whether
it is a safe shop to trade in or no. But I'm dubersome;
I don't like the cut of the sportin' folks here. If I
can see both eends of the rope, and only one man has hold
of one eend, and me of the tother, why I know what I am
about; but if I can only see my own eend, I don't know
who I am a pullin' agin. I intend to take a rise out o'
some o' the knowin' ones here, that will make 'em scratch
their heads, and stare, I know. But here we are. Cut