an hour. At first they objected, under the plea
that they would not like to win his money, as they were certain he had
no chance; but upon his insisting, they consented to bet twenty
dollars; and Slick, putting himself face to face with his great
grandfather's clock, began following the pendulum with his hand,
repeating 'Here she goes, there she goes.'

"The two gentlemen discovered many wonderful things through the window:
first a sailor had murdered a woman, next the stage had just capsized,
and afterwards they were sure that the shop next door was on fire. Slick
winked and smiled complacently, without leaving his position. He was too
old a fox to be taken by such childish tricks. All at once, No. 2
observed to No. 1, that the bet would not keep good, as the stakes had
not been laid down, and both addressed the host at the same time, 'Not
cunning enough for me,' thought Slick; and poking his left hand into the
right pocket of his waistcoat, he took out his pocket-book containing
the larger notes, and handed it to his customers.

"'Now,' exclaimed No. 2 to his companion, 'I am sure you will lose the
wager; the fellow is imperturbable; nothing can move him.'

"'Wait a bit; I'll soon make him leave off,' whispered the other, loud
enough for Slick to hear him.

"'Landlord,' continued he, 'we trust to your honour to go on for half an
hour; we will now have a talk with bonny Mrs. Slick.' Saying this, they
quitted the room without closing the door.

"Slick was not jealous; not he. Besides, the bar was full of people; it
was all a trick of the gents, who were behind the door watching him.
After all, they were but novices, and he would win their money: he only
regretted that the bet had not been heavier.

"Twenty minutes had fairly passed, when Slick's own little boy entered
the room. 'Pa,' said he, 'there is a gemman what wants you below in
the bar.'

"'Another trick,' thought the landlord; 'they shan't have me,
though.--Here she goes, there she goes.' And as the boy approached near
to him to repeat his errand, Slick gave him a kick. 'Get away. Here she
goes, there she goes.'

"The boy went away crying, and soon returned with Mrs. Slick, who cried
in an angry tone, 'Now, don't make a fool of yourself; the gentleman you
sold the town-lot to is below with the money.'

"'They shan't have me, though,' said Slick to himself. And to all the
invectives and reproaches of Mrs. Slick he answered only with, 'Here she
goes? t