438 The Emperor and the YanTcee. [September^ 



" My lad, it's not any easy matter for a stranger to approach the 

 emperor; and I am afraid he will take no notice of your present. 

 You had better keep it." 



*' I tell you I want to have a talk with him. I expect I can tell 

 him a thing or two about Ameriky. I guess he'd like mighty well to 

 hear about our railroads, and about our free schools, and what a big 

 swell our steamers cut. And when he hears how our people are get- 

 ting on, may be it will put him up to doing something. The long and 

 short on't is, I shan't be easy till I get a talk with the emperor; and I 

 should like to see his wife and children. I want to see how such 

 folks bring up a family !" 



'' Well, sir, since you are determined upon it I will do what I can 

 for you ; but you must expect to be disappointed. Though it will be 

 rather an unusual proceeding, I would advise you to call on the vice- 

 chancellor, and state your wishes. He may possibly help you ! '' 



" Well, that's all I want of you. I will call again, and let you 

 know how I get on." 



In two or three days he again appeared, and said : " Well, I've 

 seen the emperor, and had a talk with him. He's a real gentleman, I 

 can tell you. When I gave him the acorn he said he would set a 

 great store by it; that there is no character in ancient or modern 

 history he admired so much as he did our Washington. He said he'd 

 plant it in his palace garden with his own hand, and he did do it — for 

 I saw him with my own eyes. He wanted to ask me so much about 

 our schools and railroads and one thing or another, that he invited me 

 to come again and see his daughters ; for he said his wife could speak 

 better English than he could. So I went again yesterday ; and she's 

 a fine, knowing woman, I tell you, and her daughters are nice 

 gals." 



" What did the empress say to you ? " 



^' Oh, she asked me a sight o' questions. Don't you think, she 

 thought we had no servants in Ameriky! I told her poor folks did 

 their own work, but rich folks had plenty of servants. 'But then 

 you don't call 'em servants,' said she, ' you call 'em help.' ' I guess, 

 ma'am, you've been reading Mrs. Trollope?" says I. We had that 

 ere book aboard our ship.' The emperor clapped his hands, and 

 laughed as if he'd kill himself ' You're right, sir, said he, ' youVe 

 right. We sent for an English copy, and she has been reading it this 

 very morning ! ' Then I told all I knew about our country, and he 

 was mightily pleased. He wanted to know how long I intended to stay 

 in these parts. I told him I'd sold all the notions I'd brought over, 



