The Adventures of My Cousin SmoothTempleton, Timothy
General
The Adventures of My Cousin Smooth
Templeton, Timothy
Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869 -- Humor; United States -- Politics and government -- 1853-1857
"The 'following morning' came, and with it troubles insurmountable.
Scarcely had the Congress resumed its sitting, when an avalanche of
deputations was announced, waiting an audience. Monsieur Souley
proposed that they be received in their order. Of course I was bound
to submit his proposal, but could not suppress a smile. I thought the
order would be the most difficult thing to ascertain. However, as we
are naturally good-natured, and love to turn the gravest subjects into
the lightest jokes, that they be received in their order was agreed to
without a dissenting vote. By four o'clock in the afternoon we had
received and heard the prayers of all sorts of deputations. There
was--'The Ancient Order of Roman Republicans;' the 'Lone Band of
Oppressed Brothers;' the 'Universal Brotherhood of Exiled Patriots;'
the 'Hopeful Band of Hungarian Refugees;' the 'Polish
Perpetuators;'--in fact, there came all kinds of orders, and bonds,
and leagues, and societies, all with innumerable grievances about they
knew not what. There were the oppressed, and very oppressed; the
hopeful, and very hopeful; the patriotic, and very patriotic; all
praying that their grievances might be redressed. Indeed, they
illustrated the fact that Europe was in no want of spirits. Some of
these forlorn brothers marched with bands of music, not only keeping
the city in a state of general alarm, but seriously disturbing the
nervous systems of many very respectable persons, high in office.
"It was now six o'clock, and as the Congress was hungry, and fatigued
with its labors, and Hanz was literally worn out with mixing slings
and smashes, I rose to propose we adjourn until to-morrow, seeing
there was no time to receive any more deputations; but was interrupted
by Noggs, who significantly announced a platoon of soldiery in front
of the hall. Monsieur Souley now turned a pale brown color; Belmont
was seen looking for a back-door; and Buck's hair changed two shades
whiter:--indeed, the alarm that had prevailed in sundry palaces
outside seemed to have seized upon _our_ Congress.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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