The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1856-03-05
Jonathan Berks.

from Cumberland county surely aSal''os hi'
will He told the people he was not ''sn1art'
enough; but they persuaded him that they
knew better than him. AT that session there
were great many new members who were un-
used to the forms of legislation, and who COM
mtted some mistakes which were source OF
amusement for many years after.
The prayer over, the names OF the members
were called, to ascertain whether quorum was
present to do business The clerk began the
rule alphabetically, as usual. A profound ST.
lence reigned throughout the hail.
''Arthur Atcliison." He paused awhile, he
then repeated, sArthur Atchson." He look
ed around the house. Not a word in reply
At length a tall, bony figure unrolled himself
from his seat, and with slow, steady step ap-
preached the clerk. All eyes were turned to
the gaurt and grim being who maiestically
moved towards the clerks desk.
'sDo you want me?" said Mr.. Atchison, in
low and modest tone Of voice. ~
A litter Of i'll suppressed laughter ran around
the hall at the expense of poor Atchison, who
shrunk back abashed to his seat, now conscious
of having made himself ridiculous.
Berks chuckled with delight. He pitied AT
Gibson from his very soul, and was sorry that
the poor fellow had been sent there to be made
laughing stock Of The clerk proceeds
"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
/ Woods1nan. ,.s.sE5s .-... f..
Our Bcrks-not "Tom Burk of ours" but
our Berks-laughed as heartily as the rest.
why" said he to himself, "what fool
Bakeris. He must feel awful bad to be laugh
ed at SO. l wonder how a man feels when the
whole house laughs at him? All! Baker, you
have no business here, that's certain. You
thought you were smart, but the opinion Of the
house is againstyou," and he shook his sides
with inward joy.
-"George Ballingall," cried the clerk.
II know nothing of the question" replied
that gentleman.
AZ gain the laugh burst forth louder than ev-
er, and Mr.. Ballingall turned various coors
like Hudibras' Holsters.
Now said Berks with delight, "now he
won't do at all. He imagines We are voting OR
a bil-Lord, whata goose! The people knew
more than thought they did. They told me
that 1 would find sight bigger fools than my
self, and sure enough here are three at tbs
start. wish they would call old Berks-ths
laugh would stop then, III warrant ye:'
James Beatty"
"Nah!" Mr.. Beatty exclaimed, with broat
! Scotch Irish accent.
! Away went the laugh again in gleeful mirtl
) that bid defiance to description. Rap, rap
rap, went the speakers hammer, and with
i frown he gracefully leaned forward and ectur
ed the house upon its increasing disorder
checking for a time its boisterous hilarlty. Thi
:. brought up Mr.. Beatty, who said:
Mr.. speaker: / dinna care how much the
. laugh They may all go to the dell for me-
/ This was too much for the speaker and house
: Berks laughed till the tears t:ickied down h
9 face, - 5 % @
: "Ah," said he, ''my, people are smart
] They knew more than did. They knew the1
a would be bigger fools than old Berks here; an
4 sure enough there are Oh | shall be gres
!, man one of these
e But his self. glor6caton was stopped by th
clear tones of the clerks voice.
Solomon Bcene.'
I, Mr.. Beene arose and asked
!, "Vat ish de question:"
: His face was so composed with the grea
e cares of government, and the awful responsible
4 ity of making laws, that, sooner than unben
:. with mirth, its muscles would have broken lik
e iron Of q frosty morning.
e In spite of the repeated calls to order, til
: house broke forth in the most uproarious laugf
: ter. g .s.z@
4 "Misther speaker: You may all laugh q
n much as YOU tam pleases. have serve min
S county. Pm gettin old. never vas tc ma
S vat l has been'' And down he sat, amidst tn
S undisguised laughteron all sides.
e "silence! silencen said the speaker. "Wel
: YOU never have done, gentlemen. For God
: sake, preserve order ..
it Old Berks, Ike the rest, was convulsed.-
'sWeH, vell,' said he "this is too much! M
e people knew me better than | knew myself
d Smart smart Yes, you may let them alor,
g for that. They knew thing or two. The
: knew would throw heap of these fellows
f the shadow" His gratulations were disturbe
: by the voice of the clerk who had just compo
e ed his face to call out
a "Ichabod Bennet."
n ''I',n on whichever side the squire's on,
II said Mr.. Bennet.
: "Huzza! Go it, my boysP' cried Big B
l. Smith, from the lobby. ..
IS Rap, rap, rap, again went the speakers han
~ lUtl. VIII Poo!a'Sl3 'd ~ way iSHD ~
y ed if there is any more disorder. Mr.. Sc
$ geant-at-a arms, do your duty, sir. Order mu
and shall be preserved"
II Poor Bennett was the most disconnected
i. all that had gone before. He had belonged
d debating societies. bad been a crack speake
o and had anticipated that he would reap lare
t field Of glory in the Legislature. Like terri
IS pin, he crepti into his SHE'LL and never opene
7 his mouth again during the session.
y "Oh,'' said Berks, Il know what the clel
/ wants. Why, it's the plainest thing in the wor
+ he wants to know the county the members al
e from. Lethim call me. Here the clerk cried
:, jonathan Berks.'
V Berks rose and bowed to the speaker; the'
i with a smile of expected triumph upon h
= countenance, he raised himself aloft, struck b
e breast violently with his right hand, and e.
: claimed as loud as he could yell
: Cumberland county, State Of Kentucky
God bless her.
!. This was more than the members could Bea
: Restrained hitherto BY the speaker, in at lea
= A martial decree all order q as now oyerthroWl