Page:Sketchesinhistory00pett.pdf/142

136 wouldn’t go far in the controversy, and declined answering. “Well,” said the old man, “after bringing this burden of taxation into the house, you propose to disown your own offspring.”

Then turning toward the aforesaid peddler, who had stood their grinning during the old man’s talk, he said, “I think you made some remark about the Republican going down to the level of the negro. Now, sir, it may be of use for you to know that if you ever get on to that level, you will be going up instead of down, and I advise you to take it moderately, for it would make your head swim to go up all at once.”