“I’ll have to introduce myself,” he said. “My name is ⸻, and I live next door to the house you have just moved in. Saw you at church Sunday. Our minister also observed you, and after church he says, ‘Brother ⸻, you must really find out who that intelligent-looking stranger is who listened so attentively today.’ How did you like the sermon?”
“Very well,” said the grocer as he picked some funny-looking currants with wings out of a jar. “Yes, he is a very eloquent and pious man. You have not been in business long in Houston, have you?”
“Three weeks,” said the grocer, as he removed the cheese knife from the box to the shelf behind him.
-“Our people,” said the rusty-looking man, “are whole-souled and hospitable. There is no welcome too warm for them to extend to a newcomer, and the members of our church in particular are especially friendly toward any one who drops in to worship with us. You have a nice stock of goods.”
+“Our people,” said the rusty-looking man, “are whole-souled and hospitable. There is no welcome too warm for them to extend to a newcomer, and the members of our church in particular are especially friendly toward anyone who drops in to worship with us. You have a nice stock of goods.”
“So, so,” said the grocer, turning his back and gazing up at a supply of canned California fruits.
“Only last week now I had quite an altercation with the tradesman I deal with for sending me inferior goods. You have some nice hams, I suppose, and such staples as coffee and sugar?”
“Yep,” said the grocer.
diff --git a/src/epub/text/the-power-of-reputation.xhtml b/src/epub/text/the-power-of-reputation.xhtml index f19cdd2..b3ef3e2 100644 --- a/src/epub/text/the-power-of-reputation.xhtml +++ b/src/epub/text/the-power-of-reputation.xhtml @@ -24,7 +24,7 @@“Same old fellow he used to be.”
“Best thing that’s been got off here in a year.”
“Gentlemen,” said the solemn man, “there seems to be a conspiracy among you to guy me. I like a joke myself, but I like to know what I’m being hurrahed about.”
-Three men lay down in the sawdust and screamed, and the rest fell in chairs and leaned against the bar in paroxysms of laughter. Then three or four of them almost fought for the honor of setting them up again. The solemn man was suspicious and watchful, but he drank every time any one proposed to treat. Whenever he made a remark, the whole gang would yell with laughter until the tears ran from their eyes.
+Three men lay down in the sawdust and screamed, and the rest fell in chairs and leaned against the bar in paroxysms of laughter. Then three or four of them almost fought for the honor of setting them up again. The solemn man was suspicious and watchful, but he drank every time anyone proposed to treat. Whenever he made a remark, the whole gang would yell with laughter until the tears ran from their eyes.
“Well,” said the solemn man, after about twenty rounds had been paid for by the others, “the best of friends must part. I’ve got to get to my downy couch.”
“Good!” yelled the fat man. “Ha—ha—ha—ha—ha! ‘Downy couch’ is good. Best thing I ever heard. You are as good, by Gad, as you ever were. Never heard such impromptu wit. Texas is proud of you, old boy.”
“Good night, gentlemen,” said the solemn man. “I’ve got to get up early in the morning and go to work.”