The Cabin Book or National Characteristics (English and German Edition)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1871 edition. Excerpt: ... THE CABIN BOOK; OR, NATIONAL CHARACTERISTICS. THE JACINTO PRAIRIE. * * * The company were beginning to get excited over their wine; their discussions on Chambertin and Lafitte; on wagers lost and won; on slaves and cotton prices; and on Bank and Sub-Treasury systems. Still, however, a cheerful, courteous, and gentlemanly tone prevailed, when, just as the major-domo was placing a fresh supply of bottles on the table, a determined voice was heard at the lower end of the table, exclaiming--" We will not!" "You will not ?" was hastily, almost rudely, re-echoed. "We will not!" was the firm reply. The two voices resembled the first - gust of wind which denotes an approaching storm. Every one looked in the direction whence they came. There was, however, nothing to be seen; thick clouds of smoke from the Havannas enveloped disputants and drinkers. "Who is it?" whispered one at the end of the table. "May I take the liberty, gentlemen, to ask what is the subject of dispute?" demanded a second. "Certainly," replied the determined voice. "My worthy neighbor is of opinion that Texas must annex itself to the South." "So it must," chimed in several voices. "I was not aware of it," replied the disunionist, ironically. The hardihood of speaking in this tone to twenty-four, or more, grandee planters, who could, together, easily put an army of from 5,000 to 6,000 hardy negroes in the cotton field, caused no small degree of astonishment. The question "Who is he?" was heard repeated, with considerable disapprobation, from the upper end of the table. "And why should it not?" asked another voice. "I give back your question, sir; why should it?" "It is an integral part of Louisiana." "Pardon! look at the report>of the commissioners at the closing of the...