When the Legislature of 1860-'61 met at Gaston,
we estimated that we might count upon fifty-three out of the
seventy-one Republican Senators and Assemblymen, and on thirty-four
out of the sixty-five Democrats. This would give a majority of
twenty-eight in the House, and ten in the Senate. Should the bill
pass, there was still a possibility that it might be vetoed by the
Governor, of whom we did not feel sure. We therefore arranged that
our Annual Fair should be held a fortnight later than usual, and
that the proceeds (a circumstance known only to the managers)
should be devoted to a series of choice suppers, at which we
entertained, not only the Governor and our friends in both Houses,
but also, like true Christians, our legislatorial enemies. Olympia
Knapp, who, you know, is so very beautiful, presided at these
entertainments. She put forth all her splendid powers, and with
more effect than any of us suspected. On the day before the
bill reached its third reading, the Governor made her an offer of
marriage. She came to the managers in great agitation, and laid
the matter before them, stating that she was overwhelmed with
surprise (though Sarah Pincher always maintained that she wasn't in
the least), and asking their advice.
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