rs of the Syrian newspapers of New
York, whom he enrolled in the service of the Noble Cause for a
consideration which no eloquence or shrewdness could reduce to a
minimum; that he also took to the stump and dispensed to his fellow
citizens, with rhetorical gestures at least, of the cut-and-dried
logic which the Committee of Buncombe on such occasions furnishes its
squad of talented spouters; and that--the most important this--he was
subject in the end to the ignominy of waiting in the lobby with
tuft-hunters and political stock-jobbers, until it pleased the
Committee of Buncombe and the Honourable Treasurer thereof to give
him--a card of dismissal!

But what virtue is there in waiting, our cynical friend would ask. Why
not go home and sleep? Because, O cynical friend, the Wigwam now is
Khalid's home. For was he not, in creaking boots and a slouch hat,
ceremoniously married to Democracy? Ay, and after spending their
honeymoon on the Stump and living another month or two with his troll
among her People, he returns to his cellar to brood, not over the
blank pages in his Text, nor over the disastrous results of the
Campaign, but on the weightier matter of divorce. For although
Politics and Romance, in the History of Human Intrigue, have often
known and enjoyed the same yoke, with Khalid they refused to pull at
the plough. They were not sensible even to the goad. Either the yoke
in his case was too loose, or the new yoke-fellow too thick-skinned
and stubborn.

Moreover, the promise of a handsome dowry, made by the Shamrag
Father-in-Law or his Brokers materialised only in the rotten eggs and
tomatoes with which the Orator was cordially received on his honeymoon
trip. Such a marriage, O Mohammad, and such a honeymoon, and such a
dowry!--is not this enough to shake the very sides of the Kaaba with
laughter? And yet, in the Wigwam this not uncommon affair was
indifferently considered; for the good and honourable Tammanyites
marry off their Daughters every day to foreigners and natives alike,
and with like extraordinary picturesque results.

Were it not wiser, therefore, O Khalid, had you consulted your
friend the Dictionary before you saw exact meaning of canvass and
manipulation, before you put on your squeaking boots and slouch
hat and gave your hand and heart to Tammany's Daughter and her
Father-in-Law O'Graft? But the Dictionary, too, often falls short
of human experience; and even Mr. O'Donohue could at best but hint at