A WESTERN FINANCIER.
The third gentleman, whose hat was a little slouched, and his coat not of the most modern cut, who measured as much space at one stride of his legs, as the other gentlemen measured at two, with his fist doubled in his glove, expressive of his determination, and his wrath, is Mr. Commissioner —— from the state of ——. In his early youth, he left the land of his fathers, the land of steady habits, where he had learned, (what every one learns there,) how to read and spell correctly, with the rudiments of Pike and Murray, and fearless and alone, treading the western wilderness in search of a more genial soil, he established himself, where now a flourishing city spreads out her next to queenly beauty. Of course he reapt golden fruits of his toil, and opinions of his sagacity; in short he became, not unworthily, a great man among them. The principal error of his mind, was, that being born in comparative poverty, and accustomed to matter of fact dealing, he regarded the stupendous bubbles of artificial credit and means, as all real, and the men who managed them, as all abounding in riches, and as honest as himself. He is now here, to see how far his improved knowledge of finance may enable him to correct his past errors of judgment.
DINING PRELIMINARY, &C.
Two or three years ago, this same gentleman came here, by the way of Philadelphia, being there recommended to the Morrison Kennel Company, and others, to negotiate the sale of two millions of dollars, in state bonds. On his arrival here, he made himself acquainted with all the characters here introduced, and was “dined” by each in turn, with a view to sound him as to his wishes and expectations.
The president of the company having been authorised to open preliminaries of negotiation with the commissioner, the board of directors was subsequently called together to hear the report; and, not to offend the dignity of any one, who may fancy he recognises his own character, I will abbreviate the names of those present, as follows, viz: The Prest. and Messrs. J. G. S. T. and W., directors; and when all had taken their seats, they proceeded to business, as follows:
DIRECTORS’S WIT AND CHAMPAGNE.
Prest. Gentlemen: in conformity with your request, I have attended to the duty imposed on me, and my report is—that in stubbornness, one Hoosier is more than a match for us all.
“Ha, ha, ha!” all around the board.
G. Well, in cunning how does he stand, Mr. President?
Prest. Simple as a doe.