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University of Virginia Library, Early American Fiction, 1789-1875[X]
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1Author:  Ingraham J. H. (Joseph Holt) 1809-1860Add
 Title:  Paul Perril, the merchant's son, or, The adventures of a New-England boy launched upon life  
 Published:  1997 
 Subjects:  University of Virginia Library, Text collection | UVA-LIB-Text | University of Virginia Library, Early American Fiction, 1789-1875 | UVA-LIB-EarlyAmFict1789-1875 
 Description: New England is the great population nursery of the American continent. The young shoots which it produces annually, are reared with an eye to transplanting, rather than for domestic growth. Of every seven juvenile plants five are sent off to be planted in the South and West—to thrive in Oregon or bear fruit in California. For a family of children born in the land of Pilgrims to remain there as men and women within sight of the smoke of the paternal home, is an event scarcely known. `Where shall I emigrate—where shall I make my fortune?' is the first enquiry of the Yankee boy as he begins to discover a beard upon his lip. `Sir—I am about going to South America for the purpose of establishing a mercantile firm. I wish to take out with me three or four young men, from seventeen to nineteen years of age, as clerks.— I am willing to pay their passage out from Boston, and to allow them a fair compensation for their services after we shall reach our destination. Here we are in a fix every mother's son of us! After we left you last night we went to Bruce's and had a first-rate oyster supper. About ten o'clock we sallied forth pretty well `up!' If I had known how tipsy brother 'Siah was, I'd have locked him up in Bruce's back room before he should have gone out with us. Well, he was as `drunk as a soger.' He sang songs to the top of his lungs, and took up the whole side walk as he went. I never saw but one chap before so tipsy and stand. Well, we got to the corner of Broomfield lane when 'Siah saw a `Charlie,' and so he began to sing, `O'er the water to Charlie,' adding some few personal impromptu, that made the watchman mad; so he told us to keep quiet: for to tell you the truth we all joined in full chorus. I told the watchman, gentlemen had a right to sing, and that there was no law which put them under obligations to ask a `Charlie' what songs they should select for testing their vocal powers. At this, `Charlie' seized me by the collar, when brother Sam up fist and knocked him over. Charlie sprang up and then sprang his rattle. It was answered from half a dozen corners, and in two minutes we were every soul of us captured, though we fought hard. 'Sias was taken up out of the gutter and Sam was only taken prisoner after giving two bloody noses and a black eye to the enemy. The upshot was that we were marched off to the Watch-house except Josiah, who had to be carried between two Charlies; and the best of the joke was, although he was too drunk to walk he would sing, and all they could do, he kept up a rip-roarous serenade to all the houses we went by until we were safely lodged here. After leaving the gate, San Piedro, I continued my walk along the inside of the wall until I came to the nezt gate which I found guarded in like manner with the first. In front of it was drawn up a squadron of cavalry as if about to issue forth into the country, and also a battalion of infantry. Several mounted officers were grouped near the gate in conversation, and seemed much excited. Suspecting some interesting movement was about to take place, I drew as near them as I could without peril to myself, and watched the proceedings. Upon the wall above the gate, I saw two officers standing with spy-glasses surveying the country, and every moment or two reporting to the general, who sat upon his horse below surrounded by his staff. In their rear was the cavalry, about one hundred and fifty fierce looking fellows armed with carbines, pistols in holders, and huge carbines slung across their backs. Every man wore a mustache, which added to their ferocious aspect.— They were dressed in blue jackets and gray trowsers. Silent and expectant they sat immovable in their high pommeled saddles, each with his sword drawn and in his hand and resting across the saddle-bow.— Behind them the infantry, in scarlet coats and white trowsers with tall caps crested with horse hair, were drawn up in a line. The little wicket in the great gate was opened as I came up by the captain of the guard, and a colonel alighting, took a peep through into the green but treeless country.
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