The Life and Adventures of Maj. Roger Sherman PotterAdams, F. Colburn (Francis Colburn)
General
The Life and Adventures of Maj. Roger Sherman Potter
Adams, F. Colburn (Francis Colburn)
Political fiction
After repeated calls, then, Don Fernando turned to address the
multitude, and said in a speech of some twenty minutes, much that
they had heard before, and expected to hear again. He cautioned them
to look well to their liberties, though it were good to be careful
how they were found breaking the peace and men's heads. I would
mention here, that this singular admonition was induced by the
presence of some six or seven of Don Fernando's old friends among
the throng outside. And these worthy men commenced their favorite
avocation with such shouts as-"Go it Fernando! Fernando and
liberty!" And when they had thus deported themselves to their
satisfaction, they took to demolishing the trombones of the players,
as if such amusement was to their taste.
Don Fernando concluded his speech by saying, he saw in the persons
present, the great and glorious elements of our expanding
civilization. Kind providence just then sent a refreshing shower, as
if in pity at the condition of the raiment his listeners were clad
in. And this sent many to their homes; but the more patriotic had no
fear of a shower, and seemed not inclined to leave until they had
heard a speech from Mr. Alderman Dan Dooley, for whom they called
loudly. These calls were seconded by persons on the balcony, who out
of sheer derision, demanded his presence with so much earnestness as
convinced the loquacious Dooley that history and his friends would
not be content without a word from him on this great occasion. But
Don Fernando well knew that the reporters, as was customary with
them, would embellish that one word rather curiously, for they were
kind to him, and invariably made him say all the witty things they
could think of.
"Upon my word, Mr. Dooley," whispered Don Fernando, "the thing has
ended well; and it strikes me we have had speeches enough for the
evening."
"Faith!" exclaimed the Alderman, "I'm contint to lave them with the
spaech of yir 'oner."
Mr. Dooley, if the truth must be told, was not in a condition to get
off smooth sentences, though his deportment would have afforded much
diversion. And as good speeches lost nothing by keeping, he resolved
not to let his off just yet. And so completely was Don Fernando
master of the Alderman, that he sauntered, or rather oscillated into
a corner, and sat down.
The small hours of morning had well nigh come, when Don Fernando,
without change in the dignity of his bearing, took his departure;
expressing, as he left the door, the great pleasure it would give
him to receive the major at the City Hall on the morrow. And when he
was gone, the committee of reception thought no more of him, but
drew their chairs round the major, and with divers friends of the
same hue and circumstance, commenced showering upon him no end of
compliments, declaring him to be the father of more political
reforms than Jefferson and Washington ever dreamed of.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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