hearing that the legislature had adjourned1, the people of an

assembly district held a mass-meeting to devise a suitable

punishment for their representative. by one speaker it was

proposed that he be disembowelled, by another that he be made to

run the gauntlet. some favoured hanging, some thought that it

would do him good to appear in a suit of tar2 and feathers. an old

man, famous for his wisdom and his habit of drooling on his shirt-

front, suggested that they first catch their hare. so the chairman

appointed a committee to watch for the victim at midnight, and take

him as he should attempt to sneak3 into town across-lots from the

tamarack swamp. at this point in the proceedings4 they were

interrupted by the sound of a brass5 band. their dishonoured6

representative was driving up from the railway station in a coach-

and-four, with music and a banner. a few moments later he entered

the hall, went upon the platform, and said it was the proudest

moment of his life. (cheers.)