[figure description] Page 337.[end figure description]

“Will you help me to a piece of chicken?” asked
Miss Seraphina of old Roger, on Thanksgiving day.
The old man was engaged elbow-deep in the intricate
task of carving; the perspiration stood upon his brow,
from his exertions, — truly herculean efforts, — in dissecting
a large fowl.

“Chicken!” muttered he; “do you call this a
chicken? Why, it has been the father of thousands,
miss.”

He had n't a very thankful spirit that day, and the
older boarders, with bad teeth, joined with him in questioning
the propriety of being thankful.

Old Roger's boarding-house having failed, and the
furniture being taken to be sold on mean process, as he
called it, he asked one of the chambermaids, who always
had been saucy to him, if she was to be sold with the
rest of the furniture. She answered him “No!” as
sharp as vinegar.

“O,” said he, coolly buttoning up his coat, “I supposed
you were, for the advertisement reads that the
house is to be sold with all the impertinences thereto
belonging.”

He very cruelly laughed at the indignant look she
gave him, and stepped out.

p677-371

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