Lexington union., 1839-11-09
For the Lexington Union.
"SAY AFTER ME-"

was partially organized by laying off
few Of the counties on the Mississippi
River, thence along the line of the State
Of Louisiana to the Gulf of Mexico; it
was but sparsely settled country. Han
cock county, stretching along the coast of
the gulf more than hundred miles, and
extending to the interior almost the same
distance, over the piny.woods and white
sand, was by far the largest county in the
state, though it contained fewer inhabit.
ants than any other county in the state.
The population Of this county was made
up by individuals who made their liveli-
hood principally by raising cattle for the
New Orleans, Baton Rogue and Natchez
markets; and by fishing on the coast.
Consequently they had seen but little of
the world-had scarcely any education,
and knew but little of what was passing
on in this great world.
Hancock County had fixed upon a point
for their Court House, and numbered for
lis inhabitants the Sheriff, the Clerks Of
the Courts, the County Treasurer and one
Lawyer, little Yankee ali the way from
the State of Name.
The Governor Of the State about this
time took it into his head to visit every
county in the State; partly to get good
dinners, and partly TO electioncer for the
ensuing canvass. Each county had given
HIM grand dinner, and received him III
great style, except Hancock. Finally.
the little lawyer, who now was the chlei
director at the court house, received let.
ter that on such day the Governor would
have the honor Of visiting Hancock Court
House. There was great stir IN the
town--all the inhabitants met at the Law
Office 70 consult upon the arrangements
that should be made for the reception ol
such an august parsonage. The Lawyer
commenced the arrangements by address.
ing the Sheriff thus:
cit has been the custom wherever the
Governor has heretofore been, Tor the
Sheriff to receive him and his suite IN the
Court House, and deliver speech well
coming him to the place: now you must
make speech for u.s."
"Thunder and lightning, Squire" says
the Sheriff, :" never made a speech in all
my life, and to begin now with one TO the
Governor | cant do it, no how"
Swell, them" replied the Lawyer, "I'l
tell you what will do; III write the speech
down for you, and you can learn 1t by
heart. or read i, just SO from the paper"
90, but darn it all Squire, dide'nt you
know | could'ent read any at alp
This somewhat disconnected the Law.
yer for while; musing and casting about
in his mind, he looked up with confidence
as though he had hit upon it at last:
81 have it now You know the
Judges stand in the Court House is pretty
high in front; well, you can stand up in
it, and will sit down behind you, and ]
will tell you what TO say, and mind, you
must say after me-"
Well-but ding me, Squire, if | aint
afraid there will be some bother about it
for | am such gump-head, you know"
Thus the matter was settled, when the
fatal day arrived. A large concourse OF
people were assembled in the Court House
by ii o'clock, the Sheriff in his best suit
walked up in the Judges stand, the little
Lawyer took his seat behind him on a
low stool, that he might not be seen by
the crowd. All was now suspense tor a
few minutes, when it was announced that
the Governor and his suite were approach.
ing. A general stir and confusion pre-
vailed 'Iill the Governor entered and
marched TO the centre of the house. The
Lawyer tapped the Sheriff on the back
and said, 4" Now stand uphold up your
head and look like a man."
The Sheriff, thinking Of nothing but
wha, he should hear from the Lawyer,
arose with considerable dignity and con-
6dence, waived his arms in gesticulaiion
and said-looking the Governor full in
the face. Non stand up-hold up your
head and took like man."
The Lawyer writhed and struggled in
confusion at The grand mistake OF the
Il
Sheriff; and in petulous manner, said
to the Sheriff, "l'll be damned if you
haven't ruined us ALL" The Sheriff not
thinking but that the speech was going
on all right, exclaimed in a terminated
tone, still addressing the Governor:
an be damned if you hare'nt ruined us
aH" The Lawyer could stand it no
longer, he arose and spoke in a smothered
angry tone to The Sheriff, and said:
"lf you can't do better than that you
might as well stop;" and as he concluded
he walked down from the stand.
The Sheriff followed the Lawyer i'm
mediately down, exclaiming as he went,
in loud voice:
eff you can't do better than that you