Squatter sovereign., 1856-05-20

he sat, amidst the undlsguised laughter on
all sides.
"Silence silence - said the Speaker.
" Will you never have dane. gentlemen
For Gods sake, preserve ORDER"
Old Berzs. like the rest, was convulsed.
+" Well, WE'LL" SAID he, I" this is too much.
My people knew me better than knew
myself. Smart, smart. Yes, you may
let them alone for that. They knew a
thing or two-they knew ! would throw q
heap of these fellows IN the shadow"
His gratulations were disturbed .syssr.ige
voice of the clerk, who had just composed
his face to call out
Ichabod Bennett"
"Pm on whichever side The squire's
on" said Mr.. Bennett.
Huzza! Go it, my boys" cried Big
Bill Smith, from the lobby.
Rap. rap, rap, again went the Speakers
hammer. 81 will positively have the lob
bies cleared if there is any more disorder.
Mr.. Sergeant-at-arms, do your duty, sir.
Order must and shall be preserved"
Poor Bennett was the most disconnected
of all that had gone before. He had be-
longed to debating societies, had been a
crack speaker, and had anticipated that he
would reap large field of glory In the
Legislature. Like terrapin, he crept
INTO his shell, and never opened his mouth
again during the session.
| "Oh,' said Berks, 81 know what the
clerk wants. Why, it's the plainest thing
in the world-he wants to know the county
the members are from. Let him call lne.
Here the clerk cried
Jonathan Berks."
Berks rose and bowed to the Speaker
then, with smile of expected triumph
upon his countenance, he raised himself
aloft, struck his breast violently with his
right hand, and exclaimed as loud as he
could yell '' Cumberland county, State oI
Kentucky! God bless her."
This was more than the members could
bear. Restrained hitherto by the Speaker
, in at least partial degree, all order was
now overthrown. There was clapping o.
hands, stamping of feet, and huzzas inter.
mingled with irresistible laughter. In the
, midst Of the confusion, some one in the
lobby proposed an adjournment. 1t was g
, minute be fore the clerk could proceed.
"John P. Curtis
!, Here" said Mr.. Curtis, in short
business tone of voice, and the laughter
, ceased. The call continued in the same
way, to the chagrin of Berks. :" Here,
said he, muttering half audibly, 50 here
why, there is nothing smart in that. DIX
not the clerk see me in my Seat, ant
, where was the use of answering 'here.
when he saw me2 didn't suppose tha
I was at a muster, that / must answe
v here to my name. 1t was natural that
should think he wanted to know the count,
j, / was from. Pox take it all-Pm tn
i biggest fool in the house. They laughe,
4 more at me than any one in the house
e One thing is certain and that is, if
h can't find bigger fool than old Jonathan
b Berks, I'll resign my seat, and tell m
constituents they were mistaken once il
their lives. l will look over the hous
q and see."
With this laudible intention. he cast hi
j eyes over the members, and scanned thei
features well.
:. "Oh," said he, my old dolt, hav
: found you. Nat'ral is painted in his face
: Old Berks don't knock under yet" and h
$ rubbed his hands with JOY. Berks wa
:. looking at gentleman by the name c
Monuoy, an old member, who shoril
h arose to address the speaker. To his as
i tonishmcnt, Montjoy spoke like one fami
liar with the subject. He argued wit
d great clearness and great force, and com
:. manded the attention of the house to th
last.
t WELL" said Berks, II must try again
NJ That man has deceived me, and ! mu:
$ look farther. If deceived this time, Berk
I resings; for Berks will not remain and b
the biggest fool in the crowd. Oh, N
d poor father, he used to say, Jonathan
says he, stick near shore. don't ventur
in deep water Oh, that had taken b
advice, and staid at home. But wa
lover-persuaded. and here ! am In dee
at water-yes, and in hot water. too. Good
ell see a man-that goslin-looking fe1ov
er with long faxen hair-he's the bigge
"a fool in the house, no doubt. Ifsa wonds
o. / hadn't seen him before. BerlSs say
r. Rerks will be regulator, at last"
T. Just as Berks had finished his remark
that tall and gangling young man rose
,h address the house. In tones deep az
- I..ou:a.e... L. x,o,-od lis x.,nrds alorcr III