But you see, Smooth, my
government is merely an experiment, which may or may not please, and
in this sense your experience will be extremely valuable.'
"Smooth saw Mr. President Pierce wanted experience; but, at the same
time, he was fearful the General would get the points, and out-general
him. However, as it was always better to have confidence in each other
when pursuing a political question, and knowing the General to be a
sort of clever fellow, ready to do almost anything, he entered upon
the decyphering. There was the S.S.S. (Sickles, Souley, and Saunders)
Company, doing a slap-up business in Europe! He must have them thrown
in. While the head of the firm was generously lending a hand to turn
mother monarchy out of doors, and the in-door partner was making sad
use of the stock in trade (which consisted of a very large supply of
letter-writing material, only to be used for disseminating republican
principles), the junior of the house, taking advantage of the
opportune moment, thought it quite in keeping with the spirit of the
times to make a spec on his own account; and to that end the said
junior partner (not the least sagacious of the three), with a bill of
sale of Cuba in his pocket, had just stepped over to Washington to
consummate the purchase, and revel awhile in the damask of the White
House.
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