Alexandria Gazette

YANKEEISMS

One of the best bits of Yankee dialect, as well as a sort of Yankee character, we find in the last number of the Knickerbocker Magazine. It is a description of a scene in Powers's studio, at Florence; and "a live Yankee," who calls in to see his countryman at work on the "Greek Slave." He enters, spitting and wiping his lips with his hand, and the following colloquy ensues.

"Be yeou Mr. Peowers, the skulpture?" "I am a sculptor, and my name Powers." "Y-e-a-s; well, Is'pec'd so; they tell'd me yeou was— y-e-a-s. Look here—driven' a pretty stiff business, eh?" "Sir!" "Isay, plenty to du, eh? What d's one o' them fetch?" "Sir!" "I ask't ye what's the price o' them sech as yeou're peckin at neow." "I am to have three thousand dollars for this when it is completed." "W-h-a-t!! heow much?" "Three thousand dollars."

"T-h-r-e-e t-h-o-u-s-a-n-d d-o-l-l-a-r-s! Han't statewary riz lately? I was cal'lating' to purchsse some; but it is tew high. How's paintin's?— Guess I must git some paintin's. T-h-r-e-e t-h-o-u-s-a-n-d d-o-l-l-a-r-s! Well, it is a trade, skulpin' is; that's sartin. What do they make yeou pay for your tools and stuff? S'pect my oldest boy, Cephas, could skuip; Fact, I know he could. He is alw'ays whittlin' recound, and cutt'n' away at things. I wish you'd 'gree to take him as a 'prentice, and let him go at it, full chisel. D'yeou know where I'd be liable to put him eout? He'd cut stup a'ter a whle with the best of ye—and he'd make money, tew, st them prices. Th-r-e-e t-h-o-u-s-a-n-d d-o-l-l-a-r-s!"

And the "anxious inquirer" left the presence.