After a careful survey of the magistrate and a pinch of the flesh to make sure that he was not dreaming, he exclaimed:— “Ned McGowan, is that you?”
— from The Life of Bret Harte, with Some Account of the California Pioneers by Henry Childs Merwin

“You think I will use it to make my escape?” “No, monsieur, I think you might use it to break your neck, or to be re-captured by this horrible Choiseul whose very name gives me the nightmare.”
— from The Presentation by H. De Vere (Henry De Vere) Stacpoole

Such was the character of even Northern men in the year 1838, but Douglass was not the man to flinch.
— from Historical Romance of the American Negro by Charles Henry Fowler

As soon as I heard him say what he did, I was glad to get off—I felt cheap enough, now mind, I tell you any one could have bought me for a shilling."
— from The Garies and Their Friends by Frank J. Webb