664 MEETING OF THE DELEGATES. 



in a low whisper hazarded some opinion. I could perceive that the 

 board on which ale-scores were chalked was covered, and that be- 

 hind the door was many a shining row of long strokes for quarts, and 

 small crosses for " papers o backer." 



On the top of the door, as an introduction to the shots, was written 

 " HEWNEN MEN, Jos BOLE," and a long line of white teeth 

 which told twenty-three quarts with small crosses to the tune of 

 fifty-four papers of tobacco, announced how the Union had im- 

 proved Jos Bole. John Sillygums was not far behind but as he 

 told his wife great changes couldn't be worked without expense. 

 But -while I stood reconnoitering the blacksmith had arisen at one 

 end of the room, and the chairman had struck the table three times 

 with a broken salt-box which was called the chairman's hammer, and 

 as all was attention the man of iron thus commenced : 



" Mr. chairman, and brother unionists, you will perceive by our 

 appearance to night as how somet happened not over pleasant, and 

 as I darsay you feel concarned in our interest, why I thought it as 

 well to meek an explanation so you mun no as how wot we had a 

 murgency of business on hand wot drived us late, so we thought we 

 would hire a vayhickel to come over and attend to you, but the hos 

 took fright, run away, and upset the chaise in a dike which causes us 

 not to smell over an above sweet, but still were hearts is good, if 

 were cloase is duty, and if we have happened to happen a small 

 misforten its in a good liberty cause, and I no yo'll all sympetise we 

 us; after we've had a bit o rest we shall commence we business." 



Every yokel's fist thunedred the regular expected quantity of ap- 

 plause, which bespoke them satisfied with the explanation. We 

 now set down to drink and smoke before we 'commenced business ; 

 according to the articles of the Union which particularly specified 

 that " every delegate or commite-man, when occupied on the Union 

 business, shall have per man allowed unto him three quarts of ale, 

 six papers of tobacco, with bread, cheese, and unions, or, if need be, 

 one pound of beef-steaks to be paid for out of the General Political 

 Union-funds.'* We had scarcely lighted our pipes before Jos Bole 

 arose, who, to use John Sillygum's words could spokefy, and had 

 grown larned, he spake as follows : 



" Gentlemen dilegates while yo get sum refreshment after your 

 fatygew, I shall, as seceretery enter into a account of our doings sin 

 yo wore ear, (hem, hem) we have tecken in the " Thief" and the 

 " Times/' and to night have been talking about the " True Sun ;" 

 we hev met every night, and hav often staid as late at night as day- 

 light i'the morning ; we hav met to do our exercise every oppor- 

 tunity, and can form solid squares an march in bathillyons ; we hav 

 talked together an gotten to know wot one or another thinks on 

 things as they are. An we hav had two arguing meetings on the 

 following twopicks which, as secertery, I hav entered on my 

 minits * first, whither the repeal of the Hewnon would meek O Con- 

 nel king or emperor of Ireland, an wither trying to put down Politi- 

 cal Unions wouldn't brake th' peace o' the A lied powers/ so you see 

 we hevent been asleep ; I've speechified ninteen times sin you was 

 ear, and hope as wot I've sed I'll be like ground sawed upon good 



