The Knickerbocker, Vol. 10, No. 3, September 1837Various
History
The Knickerbocker, Vol. 10, No. 3, September 1837
Various
Periodicals
Presently the red cock gave his white adversary a thrust with
his gaff, which put out one of his eyes, and nearly closed the
engagement. As soon as Mr. Tumbler perceived this, he thrust the
spectators aside, and going close up to the ring, he sung out: 'Hurra
for the red cock, as I said before.' 'What you hurra for _dat_ cock
for!' exclaimed Sambo; hurra for your _own_ cock, 'f you please!'
'Hurra for the red cock, as I said before!' exclaimed Mr. Tumbler,
unheeding the remark of his opponent--'Hurra for the red cock!'
At length the white cock was fairly defeated, and Mr. Tumbler turned
to the holder of the stakes, and demanded the money, which was given
him, in spite of the remonstrances of the 'gen'leman o' color,' who
claimed to have won the bet. The conduct of Mr. Tumbler in this
affair appeared certainly not very honorable; but it would be unjust
to censure him, without knowing whether or not he was in error as
to the cock he bet upon. At all events, the subsequent coldness
and self-possession which he maintained, under a strain of abuse
showered upon him by the colored gentleman, was commendable in the
extreme. He listened to it all as mildly as if it had been a glowing
eulogium upon the excellence of his character; and when the enraged
Ethiopian had finished, he turned leisurely upon his heel, and
walked away. This was perhaps one of the most striking illustrations
of Mr. Tumbler's mental superiority. It was indeed a feature of real
greatness; for he who conquers his passion, as Mr. Tumbler evidently
did, does more than he who commands armies; at least so said, I
believe, the sage Socrates; an authority which none of us moderns
have presumed to dispute.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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