THE Committee on Gerrymander worked late, drawing intricate lines

　　on a map of the State, and being weary sought repose1 in a game of

　　poker2. At the close of the game the six Republican members were

　　bankrupt and the single Democrat3 had all the money. On the next

　　day, when the Committee was called to order for business, one of

　　the luckless six mounted his legs, and said:

　　"Mr. Chairman, before we bend to our noble task of purifying

　　politics, in the interest of good government I wish to say a word

　　of the untoward4 events of last evening. If my memory serves me the

　　disasters which overtook the Majority of this honourable5 body

　　always befell when it was the Minority's deal. It is my solemn

　　conviction, Mr. Chairman, and to its affirmation I pledge my life,

　　my fortune, and my sacred honour, that that wicked and unscrupulous

　　Minority redistricted the cards!"