hing against his will, while I attentively watched
the changes that came over his countenance as he read it. 'Indurable
Pierce!' he muttered, adding a languid sigh. Then his portly figure
seemed to expand, his hair to grow whiter, and his general appearance
to assume a more venerable air, as he read the portion that
particularly directed me to bag him, pro or con. Indeed, his crooked
eye became straight with indignation, while his neck no longer
retained its wonted curve. 'I have studied the man, but find I yet
know little of him!' said he, recovering his usual calmness, and
shaking his head significantly. I inquired if he meant Pierce. He
replied, testily, in the affirmative. 'Several times has he made me
cut a ridiculous figure in the eyes of the nation. I cannot disclose
my true position,--he knows that, but will have me a partner to this
most stupid of projects;--well, well!' Here he seemed in the act of
yielding to his despondency, when to revive him I presented several
private notes which I had received from Pierce, explanatory of his
views with reference to the immense benefit that would accrue to the
nation, and manifest destiny, from this great congress. 'Now Smooth,'
continued the old man, relieving his mouth of an encumbrance, which,
missing its aim, took effect in the face of the cat, which set up a
fearful yell and scampered out of the room, 'although I can't
understand Pierce, I have great confidence in you, and there is
something so ridiculous about this affair that I feel like relieving
my mind to you, which I do without prejudice. I care not to examine
your confidential notes; they are doubtless of a like character with
those I have myself received from him on this very subject. The man
seems crazed. He has inundated me with confidential trifles about
Cuba, the affairs of Europe, the Central American question, and the
holding a Congress at Ostend. I am bored to death with his opinions,
which, on the policy of the latter, are cheap indeed.' The old man now
became exceedingly nervous; indeed, he seemed like one laboring under
the first symptoms of an over-dose of Parr's Life Pills. 'Smooth! I am
sacrificed; yes, sir, literally sacrificed to all his folly! The
despatch bag has groaned under the very pressure of his nonsense,
which I am compelled to read and commit to the flames, lest our nation
should suffer by its disclosures. I have appealed to him on behalf of
my conscience; I have reasoned from the dept