The £1,000,000 bank-note, and other new storiesTwain, Mark
General
The £1,000,000 bank-note, and other new stories
Twain, Mark
American essays -- 19th century; American fiction -- 19th century; Humorous stories, American
a well-built figure which showed strength and grace in every movement.
He accordingly addressed him in quite a gentlemanly manner, and inquired
of him the way to the village. After he had received the desired
information, and was about taking his leave, the youth said, ‘Are you
not Major Elfonzo, the great musician—the champion of a noble cause—the
modern Achilles, who gained so many victories in the Florida War?’ ‘I
bear that name,’ said the Major, ‘and those titles, trusting at the same
time, that the ministers of grace will carry me triumphantly through all
my laudable undertakings, and if,’ continued the Major, ‘you, sir, are
the patroniser of noble deeds, I should like to make you my confidant,
and learn your address.’ The youth looked somewhat amazed, bowed low,
mused for a moment, and began: ‘My name is Roswell. I have been recently
admitted to the bar, and can only give a faint outline of my future
success in that honourable profession; but I trust, sir, like the Eagle,
I shall look down from lofty rocks upon the dwellings of man, and shall
ever be ready to give you any assistance in my official capacity, and
whatever this muscular arm of mine can do, whenever it shall be called
from its buried _greatness_.’ The Major grasped him by the hand, and
exclaimed: ‘O! thou exalted spirit of inspiration—thou flame of burning
prosperity, may the Heaven-directed blaze be the glare of thy soul, and
battle down every rampart that seems to impede your progress!’
The road which led to the town presented many attractions. Elfonzo had
bid farewell to the youth of deep feeling, and was now wending his way
to the dreaming spot of his fondness. The south winds whistled through
the woods, as the waters dashed against the banks, as rapid fire in the
pent furnace roars. This brought him to remember while alone, that he
quietly left behind the hospitality of a father’s house, and gladly
entered the world, with higher hopes than are often realised. But as he
journeyed onward, he was mindful of the advice of his father, who had
often looked sadly on the ground, when tears of cruelly deceived hope
moistened his eye. Elfonzo had been somewhat of a dutiful son; yet fond
of the amusements of life—had been in distant lands—had enjoyed the
pleasure of the world, and had frequently returned to the scenes of his
boyhood, almost destitute of many of the comforts of life. In this
condition he would frequently say to his father, ‘Have I offended you,
that you look upon me as a stranger, and frown upon me with stinging
looks? Will you not favour me with the sound of your voice? If I have
trampled upon your veneration, or have spread a humid veil of darkness
around your expectations, send me back into the world where no heart
beats for me—where the foot of man has never yet trod; but give me at
least one kind word—allow me to come into the presence sometimes of thy
winter-worn locks.’ ‘Forbid it, Heaven, that I should be angry with
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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