Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1852-05-14
From the Philadelphia Evening Bulletin
,ra,e Fsarfhuuake Ia Congress.

4 Senator sat in his cushioned chair, s. 2 |58a
His head on its back and his feet in the air,
. The true Senatorial attitude; xe a.. s8s..s Z.
Crave and serene was his h0nored mlen,
No s1eeker Senator was ever seen,
And he felt himself that he had never been s g
Tn greater state of beatitude.
He tbo1pht of his good eight dollars day,
OF the SIX good years he had there to stay,
OF his mileage and countless 6 perquisites.
His pickings and other Congressional sweets,
His last great speech and his next good dinner,
And he ught to himself, :. AS am sinner,
This Wash agton City's q snug old town, :,
And mighty great man is Senator Brown"
The hour was one, and all was still,
When suddenly shook the Capitol Hill
Senators shook with fear as with cold,
The earthquake shattered the nerves of the bold
And upset the wits of the weaker;
Some called out IS order!' and :" silence!' some,
While others were struck by agony dumb,
And sat- content to remain quite mum,
But imploringly cycling the Speaker.
Down on his knees dropped Senator B.,
Disturbed in his dream of felicity.
He thought that his final hour had come;
That the earthquakes roll was the r,ll of the drum
To summon sinners, to strike them dumb,
And with terror dread appal them;
For he hadn't very distinct tdee,
Whether o drum or a trumpet should be
The instrument to call them.
While looking in a horror of fears,
And expecting the walls about his cars,
Before his mind like fash, appears
vision of all his misspent years
A
Who had pressed their claims with prospects slim
OF getting redress-in the interim,
They died worn out in patience
And now before his mind they swim,
Some shaking their private claims at him,
And some French Spoliations!
Each with grin the Senator Knocks.
Each ruined Congressional claimant.
And he thought, if once get out of this box,
I'll go in for their speedy payment!
But little he thought, poor Senator B.,
That he should e'er be permitted to
The bright to-morrow's sun come,
And he trembled to think, so he unnamed,
Of his one little speech for the good of the land,
And his ninety-nine for BuncOmbe!
He trembled err can tell,
As he tried to think if he had spent well
His loved eight dollars day;
And he thought, with dread unspeakable.
Of the little he'd done for principle,
And the vast amount for pay.
Mixed with his fears shade of regret,
For he could not altogether forget
His greatness in the nation;
But he somehow thought that there might be found,
Even in the world to which he was bound,
The honor and pay of his station
Still might he get his eight dollar fee,
And still be honorable MIR. B.,
And mileage too-now who could tell?
The journey very long lowell!
But then the earth gave another shake,
And set poor 3. in torrible quake.
He sank in a swoon, but the earth grew still,
And the Senators gathered in right good will
And stretched him out on pallet;
But by and by his senses got back,
And ne woke to speech of Senator Clack
And the noise of the Speakers mallet.
He rubbed his eyes, and he rubbed his nose,
And an anxious glance around he throws,
On the floor and up at the ladies;
For he fancied he smelt both sui hur and smoke,
And wasn't quite sure that he hadn't awoke
To morning session in Hades!
He rose to his feet altered man,
Home to his lodgings he almost ran,
And to Mrs. Brown he wrote, tits said,
The lovingest letter she e'er had read.