White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1858-09-02


all of whom vanished as l looked. The
landlord, by incautiously opening the
door which led to the kitchen, caused a
sudden rustling and scampering, and a
suppressed scream, which led to the irre=
sistable conclusion that bevy had been
taking turns there, staring through the
key hole.
Breakfast was hardly over before there
came rap at the door, followed by the
announcement that some gentlemen were
waiting to pay their respects to me. By
this time was past being astonished at
anything, so / unhesitstingly desired them
to be shown in. The door was flung open
and in hustled pompous looking elderly
man in broadcloth, with huge gold
watch chain, dangling from his fob, a
gold headed cane in his hand, and pair
of very red eyes, but stern determine
ton was written on every feature of it.
A lank, solemn visaged individual, and
another short, stout and smiling followed.
Behind them came 1 should think, all
ages, sorts and sizes, squeezing in so as
to completely ELL the room, only leaving
a respectful circle about three feet in d.
ameter, in front of me, and every one of
them staring at me as hard as he knew
how.
Advancing to the verge of this opening,
the pompous body man, with one arm
extended at right angles to his body, and
the other thrust beneath his coat tail, ad-
dressed me after this fashion:
Mr.. President Honored and Respect
ed Sir This is proud day for Smith
burg. Unexpected as was your coming,
it is welcome-welcome to our homes,
our hearts and our bosoms. Long have
we watched your gigantic career, whether,
in shedding your life blood in your coun-
try's cause, upon the plains of Mexico,
or in boldly guidingth the helm Of the Ship
of State, amidst tempests that threatened
momentarily to wreck her on the shoals
of fathomless abyss! But We knew
the eye of the American Eagle was fixed
upon you and the result would justify
our predictions. We knew that thea
-a-shafts of vile calumny were aimed
at your devoted head but we knew also
that they ranked against an impenetrable
shield which would quench them forever
into-to the ground. Sir. you are well
come. In the name and on the behalf OF
my fellow citizens, tender you the hos
FATALITIES of Smithburg, and the freedom
of the city, trusting you will excuse the
box with which, for the lack Of timely
warning. we are unprovided.
l stammered out some bewildered ac-
acknowledgements in reply to this harangue,
apparently to the disappointment Of the
assemblage who evidently expected from
me a speech, in similar style in return
But as their orator had remarked about
the box for lack of previous warning,
was unprovided with any speech to make.
Recovering himself moment after, the
spokesman blandly introduced himself as
Gen. Smith. and then proceeded to intro
his townsmen. "This, sir, is Deacon
Jones, one of the first men. fellow mem
Der of the Committee on Reception, Of
which l have the honor to be the Chair
man; DR.. Davis, sir, the other member.
The Deacon and the Doctor grasped
nv hand, until l thought they would
never leave off shaking it. Twice did
the Deacon open his mouth as if to speak
twice were his emotions or his modesty
too much for him, and the mouth closed
again without utterance. Meanwhile 9th,
ers behind, passed forward to be intro
duced and shake bands in turn.
esquire Staples, SIR. a great friend o.
yours, and an original jackson man from
the start Mr.. Thompkins. our clergy
man Rev. Mr.. Peterson Mr. Belts, Mr.
Dobson, Mr.. M'Guirc, Col. Wilkins
Judge Jenkins. Zone of our first men
sir, J Capt. OFF ynn, of the Smithburg
Guards Mr.. Jacobs. Mr.-a-(I forgot
your name )-ah Mr.. Slimpkins Mr.
Schunphausen, one of our hardest work
ing men, sir-true as steel. and regulal
as election comes around Mr.. Hodges
sir, editor of the Smithburg Weekly
Messenger.
"My only regret, sir" said the latte
luminary, a lean, cadaverous young man
with a strong odor of Monongahela whis
KEY, ais that / hadn't known of you
arrival earlier, that l might have snnoun
ced it in an extra this morning"
cit is of no consequence, began l.
"Oh !" said he, interrupting. you ma!
say that, sir, but 1 cannot suffer so i'm
portant an event to pass without an extra
Already in type; goes to press at on
o'clock"
well l declare" here broke in Gen
) Smith, eff there amt the Post Master a
last l thought it was about time yol
; was getting around. Here sir, is gen
tleman who is bound to stand by yol
through thick and thin. This is MI
Higginbotham, our Post Master"
Mr.. Higginbothan, his face beaminl
with satisfaction, grasped me with bot
hands. "My dear sir, l am under ever
lasting obligations to you. 1t will neve
be forgotten. assure you, and if worl
for the party is wanted, I'm the man.
Higginbotham always was sound a
a NUT" remarked the general. "'tain
I likely he'll change now since he's got tn
t commission.
: care you on your way to Washing
5 ton, sir ?" here interposed Deacon Jones
at? oh, no % saidI.
I "Going up to Concord, perhaps. sir!
g said Squire Staples.
also disdained the imputation, Won
s dering what the deuce should be goin