The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-12-07

anu Wuihtu Ou Ms bney sWallO wed their last
morteli pausing generally by the stove for a
minute or so to refresh themselves at the brass
splltoOns, few sedentary characters however
renamed at the table iull quarter OF an honr,
stOod up r ~ = 49,.
=, Where are they gong" asked Martin, in
the ear of jefferson Brick.
ITO their bedrooms, sr.u" .' n' ID
us there no dessert, or other interval of con-
veIsation ~ asked Martin, who WAS disposed to
enjoy himself after his long voyage.
we are busy people here, sir, and have no .
time for that" was the reply.
SO the ldoies passed out in single file, Mr.
Jefferson Brick aud such other married gentle
men as were lett, acknowledging the departure
of their other halves by nod; aud there was
an end of them.
Once or twice when there was pause, Mar
tin asked such questions naturally occurred
to him, being a stranger, about the national
poets, the theatre, literature, and the arts. But
the Information which these gentlemen were in
condition to give HIN on such topics, did not
extend beyond the illusions of such master
spirits OF the time Colonel Diver, Mr.. JEFF
terson Brick, and others; renowned as 1t ap-
peared, for excellence in the achievement OF a
peculiar style OF broadside-essay called "a
';We are a busy people, sir" said one of the
captains who was from the West, land have no
time for reading mere notions. We don't mind
em II they come TO us in newspapers along with
almighty strong stuff of another sort, but darn
your bOoks.n
Here the general, who appeared TO quite
grow faint at the bare thought OF reading any
thing which was neither mercantile nor poliu-
cal, and was not IN a newspaper, inquired 'f.
any gentleman would drink some ?D Most OF
the company, considering this Il very choice
and seasonable idea, lounged out one by one to
the bar-room in the next block. Thence they
probably went to their stores and counting
houses; thence TO the bar-room again, to talk
once more of dollars, and enlarge their minds
with the perusal and discussion of screamcrs;
and thence each man to snore in the bosom OF
his own family.
Now, there had been at the diuner-table
middle-aged man with dark eve and a sun
burnt face. who had attracted Martins attention
by having something very engaging and honest
IN the expression OF his features: but of whom
he could learn nothing from either of his neigh
bors who seemed to consider him quite beneath
their notice. He had taken no paIt in the con-
versation round the stove, nor had he gone forth
with the rest; and now, when he heard Martin
sign Tor the third or fourth time, he lnterpo led
with some casual remark, as If he desired, with.
out obtrudtug himself upon a strangers notice,
to engage him in cheerful conversation it he
could. His motive was so obvious, and yet so
dehcately expressed, that Martin felt really
grateful TO him, and showed him so in the man
ner OF his reply.
al will not ask you, said this gentleman with
smile, as he rose and moved towards him,
now you ike my country, for | can quite
anticipate your real feeling on that point. But,
as am an American and consequently bound
to begin with question, I'll ask you how do
you Ike the co]onelW
You are SO very frank" returned Martin,
'Htdt IhG0e no hesitation in saying don't like
him at all. Though ] must add that am be-
holden to him Tor his civility in bringing me
here-and arranging Tor my STAY, on pretty
reasonable terms, by the way" he added: re-
men bering that the colonel had whispered him
to hat effect, before going out ~.
Not much beholden," said the stranger drily.
"The colonel occasionally boards packet ships, i
have heard, TO gean the latest Information for
hisiournal; and ne occasionally brings strangers
to board here, believe, with view TO the little
percentage which attaches to those good offices;
u and which the hostess deducts from his weekly
bill. DON'T offend you, hope?" he added
seeing that Martin Teddened.
my dear sir,n returned Martin, as they shook
q hands, "how is that possible? to tell you the
truth, Ian"
"Yesm said the gentleman, sitting down
4 beside him.
"I am rather ot a Toss, since must speak
4 plainly, said Martin, getting the better OF his
hesitation, TO kno1o hoD the colonel escapes
Well He has been beaten once or tOice,n
remarked the gentleman quietly. He is one of
q class OF men in whom our own Frankhn SO
a loLg ago as ten years before the close of the last
century, foresaW our danger and disgrace. Per
haps you don't know that Franklin, in very
severe terms, published his opinion that those
who were slandeIed by such fellows as this
colonel having no sufficient remedy in the ad-
ministratlon of this country's laws, or in the
decent and right-minded feeling of its people,
were justified in retorting on such public null
sauces by means of stout cudgel W
"a ~ was not aware of that" b" said Martin, "but
1 am very glad to know it, and think it worthy
OF his memory, especially"-here he hesitated
"a again.
go onn said the other, smiling as if he knew
what stuck in Martins throat.
ESPECIALLY - pursue Martin, Gas | can already
k understand that 1t may have required great
scourage even in his tune, TO write freely on any
< question which was not party one IN this very
AIee country"
"some courage, no doubt" returned his new
riend. "Do you think it would require any to
do SO, now !" .
"lndeed, think is would; ana not lltlle,"
said Martin.
"You are right. So very right that believe
no satirist could breathe this air. If another
Juyenal or Swift could rise up among us to-
# morrow, he would be hunted down. II you have
any knowledge. of our literature, aud can give
me the name of any man, Amer can born and
bred who has anatomized our iOlles as people,
nd not as this or that party; and has escaped
g fouest and most brutal SANDER the most in
aterate hatred and intolerant pursuit it Will
Il Be strange name in my ears, believe ME, In
some cases could name TO you, where a native
writer has VentuTed on the most harmless and
t. M good -humored illustrations OF our vices or de-
that in a second edition the passage has been
eXpupged or altered, or explained away, or
hatched into praise" ~
"And how has this been brought about?''
psk ed Martin, in dismay.
'Think of what you have seen and heard to-
Jay, beginning with the colonel,p said his
rIend, "and ask yourself. How heg came
about is another question. Heaven iorold that
hey should be samples of the intelligence and
Tirtue OF America but they come uppermost;
md in great mum 5ers too; aud too often repre-
ent H. VIII you walk %
1t was perhaps to men like this, his new COM
Daniou that a traveller of hOnOred name who
rod those shores now nearly forty years ago. and
yoke upon that soil, as many have done since,