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Smith, Francis Hopkinson, 1838-1915

"Peter: a novel of which he is not the hero"


"What did you say? A six by nine log hut, with a sheet-iron stove
in one corner and a cast-iron bedstead in another, and a board
closet, and a table and two chairs--and this, too, for a princess
of quality and station? Zounds, sirrah!--" (Holker Morris was the
"Sirrah")--"I didn't order anything of the kind. I ordered a
bungalow all on one floor--that's what I ordered--with a boudoir
and two bedrooms, and an extra one for my honored father-in-law,
and still another for my thrice-honored uncle, Mr. Peter Grayson,
when he shall come to stay o' nights; and porches front and back
where my lady's hammock may be slung: and a fireplace big enough
to roll logs into as thick around as your body and wide enough to
warm every one all over; and a stable for my lady's mare, with a
stall for my saddle-horse. Out upon you, you Dago!"
Presto, what a change! Away went the completed roof of the modest
cabin and down tumbled the sides. More post-holes were dug; more
trenches excavated; more great oaks toppled over to be sliced into
rafters, joists and uprights; more shingles--two carloads; more
brick; more plaster; more everything, including nails, locks,
hinges, sash; bath-tubs--two; lead pipe, basins, kitchen range--
and so the new bungalow was begun.


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