The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1880-05-21
4 TERRIBLE NIGHT.

am no politician. ] am provision deal
era wholesale provision dealer-doing bus
iness in New Y York city. Having commenced
my veritable history with the above assertion,
it is necessary that l inform the reader how
it was that 1 was member of the New Y ork
delegation to the Democratic convention held
in Baltimore some years ago.
One evening in the latter part of May l
was seated with my wife in our pretty house
on Eighth street, enjoying a fragrant cup of
tea-fOr if there is one thing l am good
judge of it is tea. My wife had been shop
ping, and while I was slipping my HysOn fla
vored with orange, she was showing me her
purchases. She was eXpatiating on a Glove
of a bonnet" when we were both startled by
a violent ring at the bell, and in a minute or
two afterwaTd a servant entered, informing
me that Mr.. Lawrence Ardew wished to see
me Immediately. As Ardew was particu-
lar friend of mine forthwith ordered him
to be admitted.
"Gunby," said Ardew, as soon as he had
paid his respects to my wife--I should have
told you before that my name is Jonathan
Gunby-"Gunby, l want you to do me a
great favor"
''What Is it, my dear fellow ?'' / replied.
I could afford to be affectionate, for l knew
that Ardew was too rich to want money.
'You know l am politician ?'' said Ar
dew.
81 know you are, I returned, ''and not
much good has it done you. To my certain
knowledge you have not received a cents
benefit from it; on the other hand you have
snppt a mod hrfnIraA 4
"Just wait till - is elected President,
and then you will see but that is not the
question. 1 am a delegate to the Baltimore
convention, and l want you to act as my
substitute"
''What.!" / cried, jumping up from my
chair in excitement. 81, Jonathan Gunby,
wholesale provision merchant, act as men,
Der of a political convention. Never, my
dear friend, never" ~
'But you must. 1 will pay all expenses
and the trip will do You good. l have no
ticed that you seem to be thinner than you
used to be; change is the very thing for
you. The fact is have an important law
suit going on and it is utterly impossible that
1 can leave New York. You must do this
favor for me, my dear Gunby."
Duls Alut"s L HtNtI dOitlltltu DOilLlCdl
meeting in my life, l replied, somewhat
softened by the fact that all my expenses
would be paid. 81 should make a blockhead
of myself, for I know nothing of the rules
and regulations of such assemblies
''You don't want to know anything; al
that you have to do is to vote through thick
and thin for -"
"But l don't like the man."
''You have nothing to do with that. I dc
like him, and you will be voting for me-"
''You are right forgot that"
Jonathan shall not go to that awful row
dy city, Baltimore, " said my wife. "He viii
be killed by the Plug Uclies, Blood Tubs
or Black Snakes 1t is not safe to walk th,
Streets there. III never consent to his go
ing"
'You need have no fear on that head
madam said Ardew; ''they have got {
new police there, and Baltimore is one of tn,
quietest cities in the Union
Ineed not detail any more of the conver
sation suffice it to say that Ardew persua
ded me to act in his place, and the hint of
handsome present from the monumental cit,
! so Modified my wife that she gave her cor
sent.
! Or the appointed day, provided with tn
/ necessary vouchers. started on my journey
/ having first faithfully promised my wife tha
/ would not venture in the streets of Balti
more after dark. ! shall not detail the paI
ticuars of my journey. Were I to do so
might describe how crowded we were hov
/ we were annoyed by a squealing infant tina
+ it was utterly impossible to silence how W
were delayed III the crossing of the Susque
| hanna by some accident to the ferrybOat
/ how l tried to read but could not on accoun
of the perfect Babel around me how l trie
to make fun of the boys who sold apples, an
had the laugh turned against me by thos
youthful venders of that wholesome fruit
All this and great deal more l might tel
but as every traveller goes through the sam
experience it would only be repeating an oil
story.
We reached Baltimore at last, and l wa
Immediately driven to Barnum's hotel.
had some difficulty i'm making my way to th
clerks counter, the hall was so crowded wit
people,