How much more he will get remains for a proud state, in its
sovereign littleness, to provide. His honour, feeling his duties
toward the state discharged, and his precautionary measures for the
protection of the people fully exemplified in this awful judgment,
orders one of the officers to summon Mr. Ford Fosdick, a
distinguished gentleman of the state's own, who, he is quite sure,
will not neglect her more important interests. Bob has no interests
in this world, nor doth he murmur that he hath not eaten bread for
fourteen hours. Kindliness yet lingers in his withered face as he
goes forth, yields submission to a state's lnjustice, and bares his
back before he eats.
"Return him after administering the dressing," says his honour,
directing his remarks to the official about to lead his victim away.
That functionary, half turning, replies with a polite bow.
The reader, we feel assured, will excuse a description of this
unsavoury dressing, beautifully administered on behalf of a
republican state that makes it a means of crushing out the love of
liberty. Bob has received his dressing and returned; but he has no
tears to shed for democrats who thus degrade him.
Mr. Ford Fosdick, a gentleman of the learned profession, very
straight of person, and most bland of manners, is what may be called
escheator in ordinary to the state. Keeping a sharp eye on her
interests, he has anticipated the commands of his august master,
presents his polite person very unexpectedly in his honour's
court-room.
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