Waiting, I may say, on
the affairs of State. Youth," continued the Hon. Mr. Gashwiler,
addressing an imaginary constituency, "is nothing but a season of
waiting--of preparation--ha, ha!"
As he laid his hand in a fatherly manner--a fatherly manner that
was as much of a sham as anything else about him--I don't know
whether I was more incensed at him or his victim, who received it
with evident pride and satisfaction. Nevertheless he ventured to
falter out:--
"Has anything been done yet?"
"Well, no; I can't say that anything--that is, that anything has
been COMPLETED; but I may say we are in excellent position for an
advance--ha, ha! But we must wait, my young friend, wait. What is
it the Latin philosopher says? 'Let us by all means hasten
slowly'--ha, ha!" and he turned to me as if saying confidentially,
"Observe the impatience of these boys!" "I met, a moment ago, my
old friend and boyhood's companion, Jim McGlasher, chief of the
Bureau for the Dissemination of Useless Information, and," lowering
his voice to a mysterious but audible whisper, "I shall see him
again to-morrow.
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