was placed in a favorable position
alongside of the first lump, and the governor's eyes fairly danced
polkas as he witnessed the fact of the two pieces of black rock
assuming a red hot complexion.

"Isaac!" again exclaimed the governor.

"Yes, sah."

"Run out--get another lump."

"Yes, sah."

A third lump was added to the fire; the company in the governor's
private parlor was augmented by the appearance of the governor's lady
and other portions of the family, who, seeing Isaac lugging in the
rocks, came to the conclusion that the governor was going "clean crazy"
over his experiments. It was in vain Mrs. Mifflin and the daughters
tried to suspend the functions of the "chief magistrate," over the
roaring fire.

"Go away, women; what do you know about mineralogy, igniting anthracite?
Go way; close the doors; I've got the rocks on fire--I'll make them
laugh t'other side of their mouths, at my black rock fires!"

In the midst of the excitement, as the governor was perspiring and
exulting over his fiery operation, a carriage drove up, and two
gentlemen alighted, and desired an immediate audience with Gov. Mifflin;
but so deeply engaged was the governor, that he refused the strangers an
audience, and while directing Isaac to tell the strangers that they must
"come to-morrow," and while he continued to pile on more black rocks,
brought in by Isaac, in rushed the strangers.

"Good day, governor; you must excuse us, but our business admits of no
delay."

"Can't help it, can't help you--see how it blazes, see how it burns!"
cried the abstracted or mentally and physically absorbed governor.

"But, governor, the man may be hanged, if--"

"Let him be hanged--hurra! See how it burns; call in the neighbors; let
them see my black rock fire. I knew I'd surprise them!"

"But, governor, will you please delay this--"

"Delay? No, not for the President of the United States. I've been trying
this experiment for eight years. I've now succeeded--see, see how it
burns! Run, Isaac, over to Dr. ----'s, tell him to come, stop in at Mr.
S----'s, tell Mr. H---- to come, come everybody--I've got the black
rocks in a blaze!" And clapping on his hat, out ran the governor through
the storm, down to the village, like a madman, leaving the strangers and
part of his household as spectators of his fiery experiments. Just as
the governor cleared his own door, a pedler wagon "drove up," and the
pedler, seeing the governor starting out in such