was much
better than some other things which he then and there suggested. But in
the silence which often falls over a small dinner circle, and over a
circle where there are good talkers and gay fellows to be found, Karl
Benson thought that woodcock and claret, though essential to his
comfortable existence, were not the only things he wanted; and Ashburner
made up his mind, and more rapidly than was his custom, that the
pleasures and comforts which Harry had so glowingly described were not
sufficient to engross the mind of an intelligent man, even though
parliamentary fame required the sacrifice of twelve hours per day amid
red tape and blue books, and the management of a government carried with
it responsibility and care. Some other things which Harry had dropped in
his rattling dissertation about living in one of the two great abodes of
freedom, had struck Ashburner's youthful mind, and, without well knowing
why, he determined that neither of the brothers were right, and that he
would look a little deeper into matters and things for himself before
utterly condemning either politics or politicians, or public men or
public measures, in the model republic.

When the silence we have just alluded to had continued a few moments,
Karl suddenly rose from the table, and said, "Come, boys, since you are
not drinking your wine, and since Harry has talked himself out, I move
that we go over the river, as we agreed to before dinner." "Pshaw," said
Harry, slowly rising, and following his brother and Ashburner, who led
the way, "what an uneasy mortal you are, Karl! just as Ashburner had
begun his wine, and we were about enjoying ourselves, you haul us off on
your confounded expedition." "Never mind," rejoined Karl, quietly, "it's
a pleasant evening, and I want to show Ashburner what a plain American
country gentleman is: that's a thing you have not shown him yet; and
then, there's a pretty girl to be seen, too--you forget that Ashburner
isn't married." "What do you suppose Ashburner wants to see a country
belle for?" said Harry; "you know he's been in society these two or
three years." "I don't care whether he has or not," Karl replied, "we
will show him as pretty a lass as any he has seen; and besides, I saw
old Edwards this morning, and told him I was coming over, and, as I am
not going alone, you fellows must go along. By the by, shall we have up
the waggon, or walk down?" Both gentlemen voted in favor of walking, so
the three too