Page:Life on the Mississippi (IA lifeonmississipptwai).pdf/176

 170 Turk." Negro firemen, deck hands, and barbers belonging to those boats were distinguished personages in their grade of life, and they were well aware of that fact, too. A stalwart darkey once gave offence at a negro ball in New Orleans by putting on a good many airs. Finally one of the managers bustled up to him and said,—

"Who is you, any way? Who is you? dat 's what I wants to know!"

The offender was not disconcerted in the least, but swelled himself up and threw that into his voice which showed that he knew he was not putting on all those airs on a stinted capital.

"Who is I? Who is I? I let you know mighty quick who I is! I want you niggers to understan' dat I fires de middle do' on de 'Aleck Scott!'"