a Christmas box—'Surely, if any thing will please Dickon,' he said, 'it will be to fill the executive chair of the county.'"
"Executive chair! what nonsense!" cried the impatient gentleman, snatching the packet from her hand; "there is no such office in the county. Eh! what! it is, I declare, a commission, appointing Richard Jones, Esquire, Sheriff of the county. Well, this is kind in 'duke, positively. I must say 'duke has a warm heart, and never forgets his friends. Sheriff! High Sheriff of———! It sounds well, Bess, but it shall execute better. 'Duke is a judicious man, after all, and knows human nature thoroughly. I'm sure I'm much obliged to him," continued Richard, using the skirt of his coat, unconsciously, to wipe his eyes; "though I would do as much for him any day, as, he shall see, if I ran have an opportunity to perform any of the duties of my office on him. It shall be well done, cousin Bess—it shall be well done, I say.—How this cursed south wind makes my eyes water."
"Now, Richard," said the laughing maiden, "now I think you will find something to do. I have often heard you complain of old, that there was nothing to do in this new country, while to my eyes, it seemed as if every thing remained to be done."
"Do!" echoed Richard, who blew his nose, raised his little form to its greatest elevation, and looked prodigiously serious. "Every thing depends on system, my girl. I shall sit down this afternoon, and systematize the county. I must have deputies, you know. I will divide the county into districts, over which I will place my deputies; and I will have one for the village, which I will call my home department. Let me see———oh! Benjamin! yes, Benjamin will make a good
