myself, and from this beautiful critter, too, for I'm
gettin' spoony, and shall talk silly presently.

"I don't like to be left alone with a gall, it's plaguy
apt to set me a soft sawderin' and a courtin'. There's
a sort of nateral attraction like in this world. Two
ships in a calm, are sure to get up alongside of each
other, if there is no wind, and they have nothin' to do,
but look at each other; natur' does it. "Well, even, the
tongs and the shovel, won't stand alone long; they're
sure to get on the same side of the fire, and be sociable;
one on 'em has a loadstone and draws 'tother, that's
sartain. If that's the case with hard-hearted things,
like oak and iron, what is it with tender hearted things
like humans? Shut me up in a 'sarvatory with a hansum
gall of a rainy day, and see if I don't think she is the
sweetest flower in it. Yes, I am glad it is the dinner-bell,
for I ain't ready to marry yet, and when I am, I guess
I must get a gall where I got my hoss, in Old Connecticut,
and that state takes the shine off of all creation for
geese, galls and onions, that's a fact.

"Well dinner won't wait, so I ups agin once more near
the rooks, to brush up a bit; but there it is agin the
same old tune, the whole blessed day, rain, rain, rain.
It's rained all day and don't talk of stoppin' nother.
How I hate the sound, and how streaked I feel. I don't
mind its huskin' my voice, for there is no one to talk
to, but cuss it, it has softened my bones.