He was born and bred in a Western State, and, as schoolmaster of
Remus and Clerk of Supervisors, had married one of his scholars,
the daughter of a clergyman, and a man of some little property. He
had attracted some attention by his powers of declamation, and was
one of the principal members of the Remus Debating Society. The
various questions then agitating Remus,--"Is the doctrine of
immortality consistent with an agricultural life?" and, "Are round
dances morally wrong?"--afforded him an opportunity of bringing
himself prominently before the country people. Perhaps I might
have seen an extract copied from the "Remus Sentinel" in the
"Christian Recorder" of May 7, 1875? No? He would get it for me.
He had taken an active part in the last campaign. He did not like
to say it, but it had been universally acknowledged that he had
elected Gashwiler.
Who?
Gen. Pratt C. Gashwiler, member of Congress from our deestrict.
Oh!
A powerful man, sir--a very powerful man; a man whose influence
will presently be felt here, sir--HERE! Well, he had come on with
Gashwiler, and--well, he did not know why--Gashwiler did not know
why he should not, you know (a feeble, half-apologetic laugh here),
receive that reward, you know, for these services which, etc.
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