Manuel Pereira; Or, The Sovereign Rule of South CarolinaAdams, F. Colburn (Francis Colburn)
General
Manuel Pereira; Or, The Sovereign Rule of South Carolina
Adams, F. Colburn (Francis Colburn)
African Americans -- Fiction; Biographical fiction; Pereira, Manuel -- Fiction; South Carolina -- Fiction
After these remarks were duly entered, and Mr. Grimshaw read another
lecture to him on the importance of South Carolina law, and the kindness
he would receive at his hands if he made himself con-tented, he was told
that he could go and be committed. The poor fellow had stood up until he
was nearly exhausted; yet, it was not enough to gratify the feelings
of that miserable miscreant, Dunn. Scarcely had he left the sheriff's
office, or passed two squares from the court-house, before he entered
another Dutch grog-shop, a little more respectable in appearance-but
not in character. They entered by a side door, which led into a back
apartment provided with a table and two wooden settees. As Dunn entered,
he was recognised by two negro-fellows, who were playing dominoes at the
table. They arose and ran through the front store, into the street, as
if some evil spirit had descended among them. The Dutchman sprang
for the dominoes, and quickly thrust them into a tin measure which he
secreted under the counter.
“Ah! Drydez!” said Dunn; “you vagabond, you; up to the old tricks again?
Ye Dutchmen are worse than the divil! It's meself'll make ye put a five
for that. Come, fork it over straight, and don't be muttering yer Dutch
lingo!”
“Vat zue drink mit me dis morning? Misser Dunz' te best fellow vat comez
in my shop,” said Drydez.
“Ah! stop yer botheration, and don't be comin' yer Dutch logger over
an Irishman! put down the five dollars, and we'll take the drinks
presently; meself and me friend here'll drink yer health,” said Dunn,
pointing to Manuel, who shook his head as much as to decline. The
Dutchman now opened his drawer, and rolling a bill up in his fingers,
passed it as if unobserved into the hands of Dunn.
“Now, Drydez,” said Dunn, “if ye want to do the clean thing, put a
couple of brandy smashes-none of your d--d Dutch cut-throat brandy-the
best old stuff. Come, me old chuck, (turning to Manuel and pulling him
by the Whiskers,) cheer up, another good stiff'ner will put you on your
taps again. South Carolina's a great State, and a man what can't
be happy in Charleston, ought to be put through by daylight by the
abolitionists.”
The Dutchman soon prepared the smashes, and supplying them with straws,
put them upon the table, and seated chairs close at hand. “Excuse me!”
said Manuel, “I've drunk enough already, and should like to lie down.
I am unwell, and feel the effect of what I have already taken. I am
too feeble. Pray tell me how far the prison is from here, and I will go
myself.”
“Go, is it?--the divil a go ye'll go from this until ye drink the smash.
None of yer Portugee independence here. We larn niggers the politeness
of gintlemen in Charleston, me buck!” and seizing him by the collar,
dragged him to the table, then grasping the tumbler with the other hand,
he held it before his face. “Do you see that? and, bedad, ye'll drink
it, and not be foolin', or I'd put the contents in your phiz,” said he.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account