Mark Twain

Curious Republic of Gondour Mark Twain

Book Excerpt: ...t would stick. But at last I said I would go down and read it to him if he threw me over the church for it. I stood up to begin, and he told me to come closer. I edged up a little, but still left as much neutral ground between us as I thought he would stand. Then I began. It would be useless for me to try to tell what conflicting emotions expressed themselves upon his face, nor how they grew more and more intense, as I proceeded; nor how a fell darkness descended upon his countenance, and he began to gag and swallow, and his hands began to work and twitch, as I reeled off line after line, with the strength ebbing out of me, and my legs trembling under me: THE STORY OF A GALLANT DEEDTHIS INDENTURE, made the tenth Day of November, in the year Of our Lord one thousand eight Hundred six-and-fifty, Between Joanna S. E. Gray And Philip Gray, her husband, Of Salem City in the State Of Texas, of the first part, And O. B. Johnson, of the town Of Austin, ditto, WITNESSETH: That said party