The Tragedy of Pudd'nhead Wilson

tises Sy

ve at a funeral? It is because we are not the

who, not being able to find any other fault with his coal, complained that

ng head in his hands, and rested his elbows on his

pths of degradation before, but oh, dear, it was nothing to this.... Well, there is

as a hasty

ouse, pale, weak and wretched. Roxy was standing in the

rd, or go near it by night, and most people even gave it a wide berth in the daytime. As it had no competition, it was called the haunted house. It was getting crazy and rui

t clothing was hanging on the wall, there was a tin lantern freckling the floor with little spots of light, and

gin to k'leck de money later on; I ain't in no h

ome right out and tell me you've found out somehow what a

dat ain't it. Dat jist ain't nothin

d at her,

, what do

gloomed above

no more kin to ole Marse Driscoll den I is!-dat'

ha

's a nigger en a slave dis minute; en if I opens my mouf ole Marse Driscoll

lie, you miserabl

de truth, en nothin' but de truth

dev

kickin' en a-cuffin' to-day is Pe

bea

Valet de Chambers, en you ain't got no fa

of wood and raised it; but his mot

hroo en throo-but I don't mind gitt'n killed, beca'se all dis is down in writin' en it's in safe hands, too, en de man dat's got it knows whah to look for de right man when I gits killed. Oh, bl

disorganizing sensations and emotions, and final

; now then, go ahead and do y

antern and started toward the door.

mean it, Roxy; I take it all back, and I'll

a moment, then s

s if you was my equal. Chillen don't speak to dey mammies like dat. You'll call me ma

struggle, but

t lies en moonshine ag'in. I'll tell you dis, for a warnin': if you ever does say it ag'in, it's de las' time you'll ever say it t

"I more than beli

er threat about the writings was a lie; but she knew the person she was dealing with

, and the pride and pomp of her victori

to be no mo' foolishness. In de fust place, you gits fifty dollahs a

orld. He gave her that, and promised

ow much is y

dered, a

ree hundre

ou gwine

don't know; don't ask m

o realize the required amount, and was afraid to make a further venture in the present excited state of the town. His mother approved of his conduct, and offered to help, but this frightened him. He tremblingly ventured to say that if she would retire from the town he should feel better and safer, and could hold his head higher

d fambly en a good name, en made you a white gen'l'man en rich, wid store clothes on-en what did I git for it? You despised m

. Tom said-"But you know I didn't k

fo'git it." Then she added fiercely, "En don't ever mak

m said, in the most persua

ind telling me w

g question. He was mistaken. Roxy drew herse

e wuz. Jes as good stock as de Driscolls en de Howards, de bes' day dey ever seed." She put on a little prouder air, if possible, and added impressively: "Does you 'member Cunnel Cecil Burleig

days returned to her, and her bearing took to itself a dignity and state that might

s you is. Now den, go 'long! En jes you hold yo' head up a