is a way to reach you, and it shall be resorted to, if you do not desist from the further prosecution of this bill.”

The hand in which this epistle was written was cramped and evidently disguised, to create the impression of earnestness and secrecy.  It was a long time before Larry could spell through it.  When he had made it out, he rose to a question of order and privilege, and sent the missive to the secretary’s desk, to be read to the Senate.  During the reading there was quite a disposition to laugh, on the part of many senators, who saw in it nothing but a joke.

“What in the h—–­ do you see in that thar document to laugh at, Mr. Senators?  D—–­ it, don’t you see it is a threat, sirs!—­a threat to ’sassinate me?  I want to know, by the eternal gods, if a senator in this house—­this here body—­is to be threatened in this here way?  You see, Mr. President, that these here gamblers (d—–­ ’em!) want to rule the State.  Was that what General Jackson fit the battle of New Orleans for, down yonder in old Chemut’s field?  I was thar, sir; I risked my life in that great battle, and I want to tell these d——­d scoundrels that they can’t scare me—­no, by the Eternal!”

“I must call the senator to order.  It is not parliamentary to swear in debate,” said the President of the Senate.

“I beg pardon of the chair; but I didn’t know this Senate was a parliament before; but I beg pardon.  I didn’t know I swore before; but, Mr. President, I’ll be d——­d if this ain’t a figure beyant me:  for a parcel of scoundrels—­d——­d blacklegs, sir!—­to threaten a senator in this Legislature with ‘sassination, for doin’ the will of his constituents.”

“The chair would remind the senator that there is no question or motion before the Senate.”

“Thar ain’t?  Well, that’s another wrinkle.  Ain’t that thar hell-fired letter to me, sir—­a senator, sir, representing three parishes, sir—­before this House? (or maybe you’ll want me to call it a parliament, sir?) It is, sir; and I move its adoption.”

This excited a general laugh, and, at the same time, the ire of Moore.

“By G—­, sir; I don’t know if it wouldn’t benefit the State if these hell-fired gamblers were to ’sassinate the whole of this House or parliament.”

The laugh continued, and Moore left the Senate in a rage.

The next morning found a second epistle, apparently from a different source, on Moore’s table.  It was written in a fine, bold hand, and said: 

“LARRY:  You splurged largely over a letter found on your desk yesterday.  I see you have carried it to the newspapers.  I want you to understand distinctly and without equivocation, if the bill you reported to the Senate becomes a law, you die.  Verbum sapientis.”

Larry had not returned to his seat during the day; but the next morning he came in, flanked by several senators, who had come with him from his quarters.  There lay the threatening document, sealed, and directed to the “Honorable Larry Moore.”  In a moment the seal was broken.  This he could read without much trouble.  After casting his eyes over it, he read it aloud.