“Bully for Joe French,” said one of the “Owls.” “But let me tell you a little story about an attorney by the name of Gersh’ Buckley, who practiced law at Burlington, Iowa, a few years ago.
“Gersh had a case, in the county court, which he lost, and in settling with his client was charged by the other attorney with taking less than the customary fees.
“Gersh plead quietly to the charge. ‘But, gentlemen,’ said he, ‘I done all in my power to sustain the honor of the profession, I took all the money the man had.’”
At this point, one of the “Owls,” more noted for his gravity than any of the rest, mounted his perch, and begged to be heard, as follows:
“Talking about steamboats reminds me of a circumstance which occurred on the lower Mississippi, in the year 1840. I had been down to New Orleans and was on my return, having 467 taken passage on the fast side-wheel steamer, Fanny Birch.
“Twenty-five miles up the river we overtook the Memphis Belle, an opposition boat, just leaving a woodyard. Rosin and pine was soon the order ov exercises, and both boats were quickly side by side in a close-contested race.
“Suddenly word was passed along the boat, ‘Man overboard!’
“The captain, rushing aft, inquired of the clerk if the man had paid his passage.
“‘Yes!’ shouted the clerk.
“‘Then go ahead on her, engineer!’ was the captain’s order.”