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Harte, Bret, 1836-1902

"Drift from Two Shores"


"By the way," said the secretary, "I think I have a letter here
from somebody in your district asking an appointment, and referring
to you? Do you withdraw it?"
"If anybody has been presuming to speculate upon my patronage,"
said the Hon. Mr. Gashwiler, with rising rage.
"I've got the letter somewhere here," said the secretary, looking
dazedly at his table. He made a feeble movement among the papers,
and then sank back hopelessly in his chair, and gazed out of the
window as if he thought and rather hoped it might have flown away.
"It was from a Mr. Globbs, or Gobbs, or Dobbs, of Remus," he said
finally, after a superhuman effort of memory.
"Oh, that's nothing--a foolish fellow who has been boring me for
the last month."
"Then I am to understand that this application is withdrawn?"
"As far as my patronage is concerned, certainly. In fact, such an
appointment would not express the sentiments--indeed, I may say,
would be calculated to raise active opposition in the deestrict."
The secretary uttered a sigh of relief, and the gifted Gashwiler
passed out.


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