dishes for me! And it's the best way--high living kills more than it

cures in this world, you can rest assured of that.--Yes indeed,

Washington, I've got one little operation on hand that--take some more

water--help yourself, won't you?--help yourself, there's plenty of it.

--You'll find it pretty good, I guess. How does that fruit strike you?"

Washington said he did not know that he had ever tasted better. He did

not add that he detested turnips even when they were cooked loathed them

in their natural state. No, he kept this to himself, and praised the

turnips to the peril of his soul.

"I thought you'd like them. Examine them--examine them--they'll bear it.

See how perfectly firm and juicy they are--they can't start any like them

in this part of the country, I can tell you. These are from New Jersey

--I imported them myself. They cost like sin, too; but lord bless me,

I go in for having the best of a thing, even if it does cost a little

more--it's the best economy, in the long run. These are the Early

Malcolm--it's a turnip that can't be produced except in just one orchard,

and the supply never is up to the demand. Take some more water,

Washington--you can't drink too much water with fruit--all the doctors

say that. The plague can't come where this article is, my boy!"

"Plague? What plague?"

What plague, indeed? Why the Asiatic plague that nearly depopulated

London a couple of centuries ago."

116

The Gilded Age