The weekly Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1852-1855, 1852-06-10
IONATHAN RERKS.
A Scene in the Kentucky Legisla-
ture.

session there were great many new mem
bers who were unused to the forms OF legls-
lation, and who committed some mistakes
which were a source of amusement for many
years after.
The prayer over, the names OF the mem
bers were called, to ascertain whether quo
rum was present to do the business. The
clerk began the roll Alphabetically as uSuai,
A profound silence reigned throughout INC
hall ,,
"Arthur Atchison." He paused while
and then repeated, "Arthur Atchison'" he
looked around the House. Not a word in
rcplv. At length tall, bony figure unroll-
ed himself from his seat, and with slow,
steady step approached the clerk. All eyes
were turned to the gaunt and grim being
who majestcally moved towards the clerks
desk.
"Do you want mel" said Mr.. Atchison,
in low and modest tone of voice.
A litter of ill suppressed laughter ran
round the hall at the expense of poor Atch-
ison, who shrunk back abashed to his seat,
now conscious of having made himself rdic-
ulous.
Berks chucked with delight. He pitied
Atchison from his very soul, and was sorry
that the poor fellow had been sent there to
be made laughing stock Of The clerk
proceeded
"Francis Baker"
"Hay!" said Mr.. Baker, with real back
woods drawl as though he wasn't afraid. But
to his surprise and modification, the laugh
went round, greatly to the discontinue OF
the honest woodsman.
Our Berks-not tom Burk Of ours" but
our Bcrks--laughed as heartily as the rest.
"Why," said he to himself, "what fool
Baker is. He must feel awful bad to be
laughed at SO. wonder how man feels
when the whole House laughs at him!--
All Baker, you have no business here, that's
certain. You thought you were smart; bu
the opinion of the House is against you" ant
he shook his sides with inward joy.
Richard Balngall"
"Aye!' said Mr.. Ballingall, with a lou'
voice.
Again the laugh burst forth louder thai
ever, and Mr. Ballingall turned various col
ors, like Hudibras' lobster.
"Now," said Berks with delight, "Now, h
won't do, at all. He imagines we are votln
on bill-Lord, what a goose! The peopl
knew more than thought they did. The,
told me that would find asight bigger fool
| than myself, and sure enough here are thre
at the start. wish they would call oil
, Berks-the laugh would stop then, III war
= rant ye."
n "JHmes Beatty"
4 "Nah!'' Mr.. Beatty exclaimed, with broa
Scotch-Irish accent.
= Away went the laugh again, in gIeeil
f mirth that bid defiance to description. RAJ
, rap, rap, went the Speakers hammer; an
with lrown he gracefully leaned forward
and lectured the House upon its incrcasin
disorder, checking for time its boisterou
: hilarity. This brought up Mr.. Beatty, VIII
said:
"Mr. Speaker: dinna care how muc
they laugh. They may all go to the dell iC
5 me-"
: This was too much for the Speaker an
House. Berks laughed till the tears trickle
: down his face. ...
t, "Ah," said he "my people are smar
n They knew more than | did. They kne
l. there would be bigger fools than old BerI
% here; and sure enough there are. Oh, no!
m shall be great man one of these"
But his f-giorilcation was stopped
a. the clear tones of the clerks voice.
~ "Solomon Beene."
IS Mr.. Beene arose and asked
~ "Vat ish te question:!
nd His face was so composed with the gra
cares of government, and the awful respo
OF sibihty of making laws, that sooner than u
v bend with mirth, it's muscles would ha
)n broken like iron Of frosty morning.
IN In spite OF the repeated calls to order, Z
ls' House broke forth in the most uproario
laugeter.
p "Misther Speaker; you may all laugh
as much as you tam pleHscs. ! have ser
IT, mine country-l'm gettin' old never v
o. tc man vat has been" And down he 81
c' amidst the undisguised laughter on oil side
es "Slencc! slence!' said the Speaker
ut "Will you never have done, gentlemen! +
Gods sake, preserve order"
rn Old Bcrks, like the rest, was convulsed
W well WE'LL" said he, "this is too much! n
20 people knew me better than ! knew myse
~ Smart, Smd'H Yes you may let them aloI
u for that. They knew thing or two. Th
y" knew would throw heap of these lelloN
in the shade" His gratulations were d
II turbed by the voice of the clerk, who h
1t lust composed his face to call out
"Ichabod Bennett"
u "I'm on which ever side the q,cry'S on
II IL said Mr., Bennett,
r. "ETuzza! Go it, my boys" cried big B
~ Smith from the lobby.
~ ;" Rap, rap, rap, again went the SPeake
W hammer
o. IL will positively have the lobbies clear
ifthere is any more disorder. Mr., Sergeai
/. ut-arms, do your duty, Sir, order must a
shall be preserved"
Poor Bennett was the most disconnected
% . all that had gone before. He had belong
- to debating societies, had beena crack spcu
!! err, and had anticipated that he would real
y large field of glory in the Legislature. Ii
=. !. terrapin, he crept into his shell, and ne,
:" opened his mouth again during the session
Si "Oh," said Bcrks, "k know what the Gle
~ wants. Why it's the plaincst thing in
~ ~ world--he wants to know the county
~ members are from. Let him call me. II,
- :" the clerk cried
" jonathan Dcrks."
o' Berks rose and bowed to tho Speak
~" i" then, with smile of expected triumph W
" W his countenance, he raised himself all
"a. 20. struck his breast violently with his Ri
10, 70, hand, and exclaimed as loud as he could "
~ "Cumberland"
~. i,' This was more than the members co
w. bear. Restrained hitherto by the Speal
"e W in at least partial degree, all order \
'oe ~. now overthrown. There was clapping
'' 's' hands, stamping of feet, and huzzas I'M
~ mingled with irresistible laughter In
,Sc' midst of the con(tision some one in the
,cn 'o, by proposed an adjournment. twas H