is one
thing nobler than another, it is an upright, downright, disinterested,
honest man. Such I am proud and happy to declare my friend, your friend,
the friend of all honest men, to be; and I call for three cheers for
Honest Abel Newt!"

They were given with ardor; and then General Belch was called out for
a few remarks, "which he delivered," said the _Evening Banner of the
Union_, "with his accustomed humor, keeping the audience in a roar of
laughter, and sending every body happy to bed."

The Committee-meeting was over, and the spectators retired to the
neighboring bar-rooms. Mr. Slugby, Mr. Condor, and General Belch
tarried behind, with two or three more.

"Shall we go to Newt's?" asked the General.

"Yes, I told him we should be round after the meeting," replied Mr.
Condor; and the party were presently at his rooms.

The Honorable Abel had placed several full decanters upon the table, with
a box of cigars.

"Mr. Newt," said Enos Slugby, after they had been smoking and drinking
for some time.

Abel turned his head.

"You have an uncle, have you not?"

Abel nodded.

"A very eminent merchant, I believe. His name is very well known, and he
commands great respect. Ahem!"

Mr. Slugby cleared his throat; then continued:

"He will naturally be very much interested in the career and success of
his nephew."

"Oh, immensely!" replied Abel, in a thick voice, and with a look and tone
which suggested to his friends that he was rapidly priming himself.
"Immensely, enormously!"

"Ah, yes," said Mr. Slugby, with an air of curious meditation. "I do
not remember to have heard the character of his political proclivities
mentioned. But, of course, as the brother of Boniface Newt and the uncle
of the Honorable Abel Newt"--here Mr. Slugby bowed to that gentleman, who
winked at him over the rim of his glass--"he is naturally a friend of the
people."

"Yes," returned Abel.

"I think you said he was very fond of you?" added Mr. Slugby, while his
friends looked expectantly on.

"Fond? It's a clear case of apple of the eye," answered Abel, chuckling.

"Very good," said William Condor; "very good, indeed! Capital!" laughed
Belch; and whispered to his neighbor Condor, "In vino veritas."

As they whispered, and smiled, and nodded together, Abel Newt glanced
around the circle with sullen, fiery eyes.

"Uncle Lawrence is worth a million of dollars," said he, carelessly.

The group of political gentlemen shook their he