A Smart Boy

WUon Licntcnnnt Go7-êrnor Put'erson was Speaker ot' the Massachusetta Lcislature soiuo dozon boys presonted themsclves for tlio place of messcngcr, as usual at tlio opening of the House. He inquirod into tUeir names, and into tlieir conditions. in that ho might make the proper seloction. II o camo, in the course of his cxainiuation, to a sniall boy about ton years oíd, a bnglit-looking Lid. " Well, air," said he, " what is your name f '■ John Hancock, sir," replied the boy. " What !" said the Speaker, "ynu aro not tlie one that signed the Declaratinn of Independence, are you ?" " No, sir," rcïpüod thü lad, stretching himsüii' to nis utmost proportious, " but I would if I liad been there.1' " You can be ono of the me.ssengers," said the Speaker.