Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1858-04-03


nearly the entire population of the village, o.
all ages, Sorts, and sizes, squeezing in so as
TO completely fill the room and every one
OF them staring at me. as hard as he knew
how.
Advancing to the verge Of this opening
the pompous man, with one arm extended al
right angels to his body, and the other thrust
beneath his coat tails, addressed me after
this fashion.
"Mr. President: Honored and respected
Sir:-This is proud day for Sm:thburg.-
Unexpected as was your coming, it is welcome
welcome to our homes, our harths, and
our bosoms. Long have we watched your
gigantic career, whether in shedding your
blood in your countrys cause, upon the fervid
plains of Mexico, or in boldly guiding the
helm of the Ship of State, amid the tempests
that threatened momentarily to wreck her on
the shoals Of fathonless abyss ! But we
knew the eye of the American Eagle was
fixed upon you and the result would justify
our predictions We knew that the--a-a
shafts Of vile calumny we're aimed at your
devoted head, but we knew also that they
ranked against an impenetrable shield, which
would crush them forever into the ground
Sir you are welcome. In the name aud on
the behalf of my fellow citizens, tender TO
you the hospitalities Of Smithburg, aud the
freedom of the city, trusting you will excuse
the box, with which, for lack of timely war
ming we ore unprovided. .......
stammered out some bewildered ac-
acknowledgements in reply to this harangue,
apparently to disappointment of this assem-
blage, who evidently expected from me q
speech, in similar style in return. But ns
their orator remarked about the box, for lack
of previous warning, was unprovided with
any speech to make
Recovering himself a moment after. the
spokesman blauGly introduced himself as
General Smith, and then proceeded to intro
duce his townsmeu.
"This, Sir, is Deacon Jones, ore OF our first
men, and fellow member of the Committee
of Reception, Of which l have the honor to
be chairman. DR.. Davis, Sir, the other
member"
hand until thought they never would leave
ol'shaking it. Twice did the Deacon open
his mouth as in the act TO speak twice were
his emotions or his modesty too much for him
and the mouth closed Ggain without utterance.
Meanwhile others behind passed forward to
be introduced and shake hands in return.
Squire Staples, Sir, great friend Of yours
and an original Jackson man from the start !;
Mr.. Tompkins our clergyman Rev. Mr.. Pc
terson, Mr.. Belts, Mr.. Mcguire. Judge lem
kins, lone of our first men. Sir.) Captain
OFlyu, Of :he Smithburg Guards, MIR. Ja-
cobs, Mr.-a- II forge. your name )-ah !!
Mr.. Slimkins, highly respected draper and
clothing merchant of our place, Sir; Schnup-
hasen, one of our adopted citizens, and one of
our hardest workers, Sr-true as steel and
regular as lection comes round; Mr.. Hodges
Sir, the editor Of Smithburg Messenger
"My only regret, Sir" said this latter-lu-
minary, lean, cadaverous young man, with o
strong odor of Monongahels whiskey. "is
that had not known of your arrival earlier,
that might have announced it in an extra
this morning.
at is of no consequence at ALL" began I.
"Oh y said he interrupting, you may say
so, Sir, but cannot suffer so important an
event TO pass without an extra. 1t will come
out this afternoon; already in type; goes to
press at one o'clock"
well / declare" here broke in General
Smith "f there nint the postmaster at last.
Though it was about time you was getting
around. Here, Sir" said he taking the new
conner by the hand and leading him up to me
"here is gentleman that is bound to stick
TO you through thick and thin. This is Mr..
Higginbothem, our post master.
"Mr. Higginbotham, his face beaming with
satisfaction grasped me by both hands. "My
dear Sir, / am under lasting obligations to
you. And if work for the party is wanted,
an the man.
"Mr. Higginbotham, always was sound as n
nut" remarked the general; "taint likely
that he'll change, now he's got the commits
sion"
Are you OF your way to Washington, Sir?'
here interrupted Deacon Jones.
al! Oh! no." said I.
"Going up to Concord, perhaps, Sir ?" said
Squire Staples
l also dsclaimed this imputation, wonder
ing what the deuce should be going to ell
tber place for.
"Saw you were travelling privately like, and
perhaps wanted to avoid observation, other
wise We would have got up celebration for
you. Thought you'd prefer to have us just
come round and see you in this way"
Queer ideas of quiet these Smithburger9
have, thought ! TO myselt-tnrning town
t0psy turvy out of a regard for privacy.
"Knowed him !" here burst out an emerge
tic little man, who had been conversing with
DIR. Davis at my left elbow; "Knowed him
I'd knowed him anywhere. Why he just the
picture Of himself right over again, that is
without the horse"
"Your EXceleEcy is younger looking man
than j expected to see." said the Reverend
Mr.. Peterson "your onerous duties do not
wear upon your health, | trust?"
"Ah yes" said DR.. Davis, whose plump,
oily appearance testified that be took bu: lit
tie of his own medicine, "brain Sir, brain" /"
significantly tapping the spot where his own
mental apparatus was located.
Il reckon there's o right smart deal of hard
work to do about sitooation like his'n," said
Mr. Dobson, an honest, iarmer-ike looking
man clad in Sleeps gray, who addressed the
company generally.
Yes, Sir !" That's fact = "and Faix, ye
may say that same," chimed chorus from
the outsiders of the circle.
"Would You have any objection, Sir" said
MIR. Hodges, dropping his voice to whisper,
to indicate which way in your experienced
judgment, our election is going to go?"
"Why really" replied diving as do, and
taking so little part in politics. l.
81 understand" said he, nodding and in-
terrupting understand Quite right in your
exalted position, one can't be too cautious of
What .h be says l beg your pardon for making
Here dead snysce eusued for brief
time, the insiders of the Circle opparentlv
being talked out, and the outsiders too much
awed by the dignity ofth occasion to venture
any remarks.
II wished Leotenant Reed was here" at