"All right!" said the Dutchman, looking around at his
shelves, and then again under the counter.
"No so!" said the mulatto; "I want fourpence; you done' dat befor'
several times; I wants my money."
"Get out of my store, or I'll kick you out," said the Dutchman, and
catching up a big club, ran from behind the counter and commenced
belaboring the negro over the head in a most unmerciful manner. At
this, the mulatto retreated into the lane, and with a volley of the
vilest epithets, dared the Dutchman to come out, and he would whip
him.
Dunn ran to the scene, and ordered the negro to be off, and not use
such language to a white man, that it was "contrary to law," and he
would take him to the workhouse.
"Why, massa, I knows what 'em respect white men what be gemmen like
yersef, but dat Dutchman stand da'h a'n't no gentlem', he done gone
tieffe my money seven time; an' I whip him sure-jus' lef' him. come
out here. I doesn't care for true, and God saw me, I be whip at the
wukhouse next minute. He tief, an' lie, an 'e cheat me." The
Dutchman stood at the door with the big stick in his hand-the negro
in the middle of the lane with his fists in a pugilistic attitude,
daring and threatening, while the limping Dunn stood by the side of
the Dutchman, acting as a mediator. Manuel, taking advantage of the
opportunity, emptied his tumbler down a large opening in the
floor.
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