Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1878-12-31

the DOX, with which, Tor lack OF timely
warning, we are unprovided."
| stammered out some bewildered &C
acknowledgements in reply to this harangue,
apparently to the disappointment of the
assemblage. who evidently expected from
me 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 a moment after,
the spokesman blandly introduced him
selfas General Smith, and then proceeded
to introduce his townsmen.
This, sir, is Deacon Jones. one of our
first men, and fellow member of the
Committee of Reception, of which l
have the honor to be chairman. DIR.
Davis, sir the other member"
The Deacon and the Doctor grasped my
hand until l thought they never would
leave off shaking it. Twice did the
Deacon open his mouth as in act to
speak; twice were his emotions or his
modesty too much for him, and the
mouth closed again without utterance.
Meanwhile, others behind pressed for
ward to be introduced and shake hands
in turn.
esquire Staples, sir, great friend Of
yours, and an original jackson man from
the start; Mr.. Tompkins; our clergyman,
Rev. Mr.. Peterson; Mr.. Belts, Mr.. Dob
son, Mr.. Mcclure, Judge Jenkins, lone
of our first men, sir,) Captain O'Flynn,
of the Smithburgh Guards; Mr. Jacobs,
Mr.-a-Q forget your name)-ahl Mr..
Slimkins, highly respected draper and
clothing merchant of our place. sir-not
one of our folks politically, but we shall
have him one of these days. yet;" "a
laugh and significant nudge from Mr..
Slimkins0 "Mr. Schnuphausen, one Of
our adopted citizens, and one of our
hardest workers, sir,-true as steel and
regular as election comes round; Mr..
Hodges, sir, the editor of the Smithburgh
Weekly Messenger.
'My only regret, sir, said this latter
luminary, lean, cadaverous young man,
with strong odor of Monongahela whis-
key, is that had not known of your
arrival earlier, that l might have an
nounced it in an extra this morning.
''It is of no consequence" began l.
"OhP' said he, interrupting, tyou may
say that, sir, but l cannot suffer so i'm
portant an event to pass without an extra.
1t will come out this afternoon; already
in type; goes to press at one O'clock"
"Well, I declare here broke in Gen
eral Smith, eff there ant the post master
at last. Thought it was about time you
was getting round. Here, sir,n said he,
taking the newcomer by the arm ard
leading him up to me, "here is gentle
man that is bound to stand by YOU
through thick and thin. This is Mr..
Higginbotham, our postmaster. y
Mr.. Higginbotham, his face beaming
with satisfaction, grasped me by both
hands. "My dear sir, / am under ever
lasting obligations to you. 1t will never
be forgotten, l assure you. And if work
for the party is wanted, am the man"
"Higginbotham always was sound as
nut" remarked the General; t ant
likely he'll change now he's got the
commission. =
''Are you on your way to Washington,
sir?" here interposcd Deacon Jones.
Il! OH no, said l.
"Going up to Concord, perhaps, sir?"
said Squire Staples.
| also disclaimed this imputation, Won
dering what the deuce l should be going
to either place for.
'Saw you were travelling privately
like, and perhaps wanted to avoid obser-
vation, otherwise we should have got up
a celebration for you. Thought you'd
prefer to have US just come round and see
you quietly in this way"
Queer ideas of quiet these Smithburgh-
ers bave, thought to myself-turning a
town topsy- -turvy out of regard for
privacyl
''Knowed him. here burst out an en-
ergetic little man, who had been con-
versing soto o0ce with DR.. Davis at nv
left elbow; ''Knowed himl I'd knowed
him anywhere. Why, he's just the pic
ture Of himself right over again, that is,
without the horse.'
Your Excellency is younger looking
man than l expected to see, !" said the
Rev. Mr.. Peterson; your onerous duties
do not wear upon your health, / trust?
They must be oppressive"
'tAhl yes" said DR.. Davis, whose
plump, oily appearance testified that he
took but little of his own medicine,
"brain, sir, BRAIN" significantly tapping
the spot where his own mental apparatus
was located.
Il reckon there's right smart deal of
head work to be done in that sitooation of
hisn,' said Mr.. Dobson, an honest,
farmerike looking man, clad in sleeps
gray, addressing the company generally.
''Yes. sir!'' 'sThat's fact;" and
"Faix, ye may say that same, . chimed in
a chorus from the outsiders of the circle.
Would you have any objection, sir, !"
said Mr.. Hodges, dropping his voice to
whisper, ito indicate which way, IN
your experienced judgment, our election
is going to gOf''
"Why really" replied l, Giving as 1
do, and taking so little part in politics,
81 understand said he, nodding and
interruptIng; Il understand. Quite
right; in your exalted position, one can't
be too cautious of what he says. You
are quite right. | beg your pardon for
making the inquiry
Here dead silence ensued for brief
time, the insiders Of the circle apparently
being talked out, and the outsiders too
much awed by the dignity of the occasion
to venture any remarks.
81 wish Lieutenant Reed was here" at
length observed Squire Staples; ''he'd a
been delighted Probably you didn't
know him hut ba fourbt xr;tl, va, ~,