The Last of the Foresters: Or, Humors on the Border; A story of the Old Virginia FrontierCooke, John Esten
General
The Last of the Foresters: Or, Humors on the Border; A story of the Old Virginia Frontier
Cooke, John Esten
Frontier and pioneer life -- Fiction; Virginia -- Fiction
Mr. Jinks was clad in his habitual costume: half dandy, half
_militaire_; and when he moved, his great sword rattled against his
grasshopper legs in a way terrifying to hear.
Ralph, richly dressed as usual, and reclining in his chair, smiled
lazily, and looked at the scowling Mr. Jinks. The apartment in which
the worthies were seated was one possessing the advantages of dormer
windows, and an extensive prospect over the roofs of Winchester; the
furniture was rough; and in the corner a simple couch stood, whereon
Mr. Jinks reposed himself at night.
While the various events which we have lately adverted to have been
occurring, Mr. Jinks has not forgotten that triple and grand revenge
he swore.
Mr. Jinks has un-christian feelings against three persons, for three
reasons:
First, against Verty: the cause being that gentleman's defiance and
disregard of himself on various occasions; also his rivalry in love.
Second, against Miss Sallianna: beautiful and perfidious; the cause:
slights put on his youthful love.
Third, against O'Brallaghan; the cause: impudence on various
occasions, and slanderous reports relating to cabbaged cloth since the
period of their dissolving all connection with each other.
Mr. Jinks has revolved, in the depths of his gloomy soul, these
darling projects, and has, perforce of his grand faculty of invention,
determined upon his course in two out of the three affairs.
Verty annoys him, however. Mr. Jinks has ceased to think of a brutal,
ignoble contest with vulgar fists or weapons ever since the muzzle of
Verty's rifle invaded his ruffles on the morning of his woes. He would
have a revenge worthy of himself--certain, complete, and above all,
quite safe. Mr. Jinks would wile the affections of Miss Redbud from
him, fixing the said affections on himself; but that is not possible,
since the young lady in question has gone home, and Apple Orchard is
too far to walk. Still Mr. Jinks does not despair of doing something;
and this something is what he seeks and ruminates upon, as the mixed
rum and water glides down his throat.
Ralph yawns, laughs, and kicks his heels.
Then he rises; goes to the mantel-piece and gets a pipe; and begins to
smoke--lazier than ever.
Mr. Jinks sets down his cup, and murmurs.
"Hey!" cries Ralph, sending out a cloud of smoke, "what are you
groaning about, my dear fellow?"
"I want money," says Mr. Jinks.
"For what?"
"To buy a horse."
"A horse?"
Mr. Jinks nods.
"What do you want with a horse?"
"Revenge," replies Mr. Jinks.
Ralph begins to laugh.
"Oh, yes," he says, "we spoke of that; against Sallianna. I'll assist
you, my boy. The fact is, I have caught the infection of a friend's
sentiments on Sallianna the divine. I have a cousin who abominates
her. I'll assist you!"
"No; that affair is arranged," says Mr. Jinks, with gloomy pleasure;
"that will give me no trouble. That young man Verty is the enemy I
allude to. I want revenge."
And Mr. Jinks rattled his sword.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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