wan, I am sure, is more touched by her
misforchune than me worthy friend Mr. Daniel McGaw, who by this direct
interposition of Providence is foorced into the position of being
compelled to assert his rights befoore your honorable body, with full
assurance that there is no tribunal in the land to which he could apply
which would lend a more willing ear."

It was this sort of thing that made Rowan popular.

"But, gintlemen,"--here the justice curry-combed his front hair with
his fingers--greasy, jet-black hair, worn long, as befitted his
position,--"this is not a question of sympathy, but a question of law.
Your honorable boord advertoised some time since for certain supplies
needed for the growth and development of this most important of the
villages of Staten Island. In this call it was most positively and
clearly stated that the contract was to be awarded to the lowest
risponsible bidder who gave the proper bonds. Two risponses were made
to this call, wan by Mrs. Grogan, acting on behalf of her husband,--well
known to be a hopeless cripple in wan of the many charitable
institootions of our noble State,--and the other by our distinguished
fellow-townsman, Mr. Daniel McGaw, whom I have the honor to ripresint.
With that strict sinse of justice which has always characterized the
decisions of this honorable boord, the contract was promptly awarded
to Thomas Grogan, he being the lowest bidder; and my client, Daniel
McGaw,--honest Daniel McGaw I should call him if his presence did not
deter me,--stood wan side in obadience to the will of the people and
the laws of the State, and accepted his defate with that calmness which
always distinguishes the hard-workin' sons of toil, who are not only
the bone and sinoo of our land, but its honor and proide. But,
gintlemen,"--running his hand lightly through his hair, and then laying
it in the bulging lapels of his now half-buttoned coat,--"there were
other conditions accompanying these proposals; to wit, that within tin
days from said openin' the successful bidder should appear befoore
this honorable body, and then and there duly affix his signatoor to the
aforesaid contracts, already prepared by the attorney of this boord, my
honored associate, Judge Bowker. Now, gintlemen, I ask you to look
at the clock, whose calm face, like a rising moon, presides over the
deliberations of this boord, and note the passin' hour; and then I
ask you to cast your eyes over this vast assemblage and see