"If we could explain to him in some way, that we are so situated that

time is of the utmost importance to us--"

"Yes--yes, that's it--and so if it would be as convenient for him to come

at once it would be a great accommodation to us, and one which we--which

we--which we--wh--well, which we should sincerely appreciate--"

That's it--and most gladly reciprocate--"

Certainly--that'll fetch him. Worded right, if he's a man--got any of

the feelings of a man, sympathies and all that, he'll be here inside of

twenty-four hours. Pen and paper--come, we'll get right at it."

Between them they framed twenty-two different advertisements, but none

was satisfactory. A main fault in all of them was urgency. That feature

was very troublesome: if made prominent, it was calculated to excite

Pete's suspicion; if modified below the suspicion-point it was flat and

meaningless. Finally the Colonel resigned, and said:

I have noticed, in such literary experiences as I have had, that one of

the most taking things to do is to conceal your meaning when you are

trying to conceal it. Whereas, if you go at literature with a free

conscience and nothing to conceal, you can turn out a book, every time,

that the very elect can't understand. They all do."

Then Hawkins resigned also, and the two agreed that they must manage to

The American Claimant