272 THE HISTORY OF THE HEN FEVER. 



it should prove too bulky, turn it into American gold, and 

 charter a steamer to come round for the purpose ; I shan't 

 mind the expense. 



" In conclusion, I can only intimate the high consider- 

 ation T entertain towards yourself for having prepaid the 

 postage upon your communication ; a very unusual trans- 

 action with legal gentlemen. My sensations, upon closing 

 this hasty scrawl, are, I fancy, very nearly akin to those of 

 the Hibernian who ' liked to have found a sovereign once,' 

 — but you will allow me to assure you that it will aflford me 

 the greatest pleasure to meet you hereafter, and I shall be 

 happy to give you any further information^ in my power 

 touching that ' putty' in prospective. 



" I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 



" Geo. p. Burnham, alias the 'Young 'Un.' " 



I presume this pedigree was perfectly satisfactory to my 

 correspondent; and I am quite certain that it was of as 

 much account as this kind of thing usually is. At any 

 rate, I heard nothing more from him, in any way ; and I 

 niade up my mind, therefore, that, after reading this, he 

 concluded that he couldn't "enlighten me further," as he 

 had so pertly suggested in his communication, quoted in the 

 beginning of this chapter. He is a very nice man, I have 

 no manner of doubt. 



