She's han'some as a picture, but she must have a good strong back
to make the trip down 'n' up in one day."
Nothing could have been more effective or more
effectual than this blow dealt with consummate skill.
Having thus driven the iron into Mrs. Todd's soul,
Pel entertained his mother with an account of the interview
while she chopped the kindling-wood. He had no special end
in view when, Iago-like, he dropped his first poisoned seed
in Mrs. Todd's fertile mind, or, at most, nothing worse
than the hope that matters might reach an unendurable point,
and Jerry might strike for his altars and his fires.
Jerry was a man and a brother, and petticoat government must
be discouraged whenever and wherever possible, or the world would
soon cease to be a safe place to live in. Pel's idea grew upon
him in the night watches, and the next morning he searched his
mother's garret till he found a green dress and a white bonnet.
Putting them in a basket, he walked out on the road a little
distance till he met the stage, when, finding no passengers inside,
he asked Jerry to let him jump in and "ride a piece.
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