, who will so clip the American Eagle – The American Eagle.

w! Look here, Sam Sly, what did you

for Old Nick. You promised me a dollar

d you! can't you be quiet?

n his seat). What! and see the American No, sir; I claim the privilege, at all places, of standing up for the American - prey of every political spouter in the en lugged to the top of the Rocky ered on every liberty-pole, and nailed to public hall; and now you propose to est against this outrage on the first of

whose meeting is this?

e's meeting. You would like to make it old-fogy party. But it won't do, Slow

give you another dollar to be quiet. seat). All right, Slowboy; fire away. en, Mr. Nickodemus Orcutt has such American Eagle that he would clip its ght stay at home, and not run the risk d in that Turkish bath, Cuba, or frozen 1 saloon, Alaska. And, gentlemen, the he Constitution, gentlemen, he would

DIALOGUES.

Sly. Hold on, Slowboy.

Slow. What's the matter now ?

137

Sly (jumping upon his seat). Can't stand that, Slowboy; I must stand up for the Constitution, the glorious Constitution. It's been abused, Slowboy, shamefully abused. It's been swung all around the circle, and now you want to lay it out.

Slow. Will you be quiet? Nickodemus Orcutt would lay it out on the table of every farmer in the land, as the only true chart by which to steer.

Sly (resuming his seat). O, that 'll do; go on, Slowboy.

Slow. And now, gentlemen, I turn to that symbol of the Republic, the American flag; that flag which has lain in the dust

Can't stand that.

Sly. Hold on, Slowboy; hold on. Slow. Sly, you are a nuisance. You've been the bane of my existence. Whenever as a speaker or as a poet I have endeavored to make my mark, you 're always in the way. Perhaps you'd like to take my place.

Sly (jumping upon the platform).

Thank you.

care if I do make a few feeble remarks.

Slow. Hallo! You ain't coming up here?

I don't

Sly. To be sure I am; did n't you invite me? Slow. But I did n't mean it. Come, go down, that 's a good fellow, and let me finish my speech.

Sly. No, sir; this is a public meeting, and I've just as good a right to speak as you have.

Slow. Public meeting! Pshaw! it's an exhibition, and I have the floor. You've no business here. Now, Sly, go down.

Sly. After you 've invited me here? No, sir.

Slow. You are spoiling everything. You 've upset my ideas.

Sly. Well, that won't break anything.

Slow. I've only five minutes more to speak. Now do go, Sly.

shaw! I can't do that; I 've got the floor. ave I. I don't believe in compromises, but as willing to humor you; but as you don't oes. Ladies and gentlemen

don; I consent, though you have no right

nk I have, anything you have said to the withstanding; so go ahead; there's the en time 's up I'll give the word.

tlemen, Mr. Nick - Mr. Nick - Mr. NickSam Sly, you 've knocked it all out of my e did I leave off?the American Eagle? hat. The Constitution? O, pshaw! Mr. ar me, how time does fly! Ah, I have it at emen, Mr. Nickodemus Orcutt and the Amer

--

been standing watching the clock, pulling him by the Slowboy. Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. ChairI appear before you to-night a humble tizen, with a heart filled with gratitude founders of this glorious republic, — this py republic, whose equal cannot be found; ne permit I should be proud and happy to a humble imitation of my eloquent friend ribute to their patriotism and virtue. But et me speak of one who is near and dear 5, our esteemed fellow-townsman, Samuel is up for selectman in opposition to Nicko. You all know him. A young, talented, awyer; a true type of young America--e's un Slv.

considerably; it's one of your regular s won't stand it! Do you hear? I tell yo it. Why don't you speak? (SLY points dear! I forgot; where did I leave off? does go! Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Ch me! where did I leave off? I have it mus Orcutt and the American flag

Sly. Time, Slowboy. Gentlemen: M said before, is a true type of Young Ar gressive man; a man of enlarged ideas, the spread of freedom, the rights of v acquisition of territory; a patron of rai advocate of woman's rights, universal st protection of American citizens, even w Elect him, and you annex Cuba this y next, conquer Europe the year after, and and stripes upon the Great Wall of Chin from to-day.

Slow. Time 's up, Sly.

Sly. Elect him, and peace shall reign c where

Slow. Time's up, Sly.

Sly. And

Slow. (pushing SLY). Time 's up, Sly. Sly. O, is it? How time does fly! G boy.

Slow. Go ahead! It's all very well t But how can I go ahead when you act s

what, Sly, if I catch you running over time again, I 'll wallop you, you little O dear! my speech! Where was I? Mr. Sly-I mean Speaker - Ladies and gentlemen Sly-Gent-O dear! - American Eagle Constitution — I have it! Mr. Nickodemus Orcutt and the American flag

Sly. Time, Slowboy. Ladies and gentlemen: I could use an hour profitably in sounding the virtues of Mr. Sawyer, but time will not permit. I shall only ask you to compare this whole-souled, patriotic type of Young America with that rusty, crusty old fogy, Old Nick

Slow. Hold on, Sly; I can't stand that, time or no time, abusing my candidate in that manner. (To audience.) Gentlemen

Sly. Hold on, Slowboy, the five minutes are up. A bargain's a bargain, you know.

Slow. I don't care; I will speak.

you

I

Sly. Well then, we 'll give you another minute. Slow. That's all I want. If it had n't been for should have been through long ago. What right have you here any way? If you attempt to interrupt me, I 'll have you placed in custody as a disturber of the peace. Ladies and gentlemen: I hope you will pardon this interruption; it was none of my seeking. You've seen this boy before. He's one of the small miseries of human life, which must be endured. But to my speech. As I was saying- Dear me! what was I saying? Mr. Nickodemus Orcutt and the American flag

Sly. Time, Slowboy, time. (Runs off.)

Slow. Clear out, you nuisance! Wait till after school; that 's all!

[Exit.