The New York herald., 1862-02-16
The Chevaiier N'ikoT Out with Another
BNOGhuros

INC CncPallel WlEOn ls out vi prison again
lie will shortly be out with another brochure
The Chevalier knows little bit of everything
He happened TO know something about Che
Presidents Message. 1t happened, also, that
the HERALD which knows great deal about
everything, also knew something about the
Presidents Message. and published shrewd
surmise in regard to one or two of its important
points upon the very morning that the Message
was delivered, and in advance. therefore, Of
every other paper. Putting this and that to-
gether Beau Hickman and his kitchen commit
tee jumped at the conclusion that Chevalier
Wikoff was an employe Of the HERALD and had
sent us all he knew about the Message. The
fact that the Chevalier was intimate at the White
House, as he is in most polite circles, added
confirmation strong as Holy Writ to Hickmans
sage conclusion. The members Of the kitchen
committee were in ecstacies at the chance of
prying into the secrets Of the White House and
the mysteries Of the HERALD Office at one peep,
and hauled up the Chcyalier for instant exami-
nation
Now, the Chevalier is prudent and economi-
cal man, and generally reserves his piquant ex-
pcriences for publication in book form or in
delightful JrochuyeS. He is therefore, rather un-
communicative orally, and has a wholesome
dread lest his conversation should be taken
down by q shorthand reporter. written up by
some small fry Bohemian, and Published for
another persons benefit. Consequently he
refused to answer the searching queries of
the kitchen committee, and, to his utter discom-
:ol,, hot
frank Of Hterateurs was the most reticent and
contumacOus Of witnesses. Naturally enough,
Hickman was irritated. He felt as if the Che
Waller had slammed the door of the White
House in his face, or denied him access to the
HERALD sanctum. He marched into the House
of Representatives and demanded his revenge
and the Imprisonment of the Chevalier. The
House was just about to hear read the reports
of the recent Union victories, and consented to
put the Chevalier in contempt, in order to put
Hickman out of the way Then in marched the
Chevalier, collared by the Sergeant-at-Arms,
and cogtating the title of his next brochure,
and was summarily placed at the bar of the
House, when Hickman, who, like other Con-
gressmen, has probably had much experience
at the spiritual bar in the Congressional COM
mittee rooms, commended the poisoned chalice
to the uncommunicative lips Of the Chevalier.
The question, "Will you tell Hickman all you
know was again put to the Chevalier, with all
due solemnity and formality, amid suppressed
titterings from the floor and galleries. The
Chevalier replied that he had every respect
Tor the committee and the House-how ex-
qusitely and politely satirical the Chevaier
can be when he likea-but he respectfully
would not
The amazement of the investigating Hickman
at this continued contumacy was overwhelm
ing; but his duty as patriot Overcame his
pity as man, and he took pull at his shirt
put first into contempt of the House, and,
secondly, into the custody of the Sergcant-at-
Arms. The undisnayed Chevalier took seat
by the Speaker, and occupied the last few mo-
ments offreedom by making notes for chapter
in his brochure upon the useless and unneces-
sary ceremony of putting him into contempt,
and in giving the pages specimens of the excel
lent manner in which he wrote his own name.
1t appears that the House desired the Cheva-'
lier's autograph also; for his reply was written
out by the Clerk, and he was required to sign it
offhand. These proceedings over, the con-
temptuous Chevalier was led off to prison, and
the contemplate House adjourned to take
drink at Hickman's expense-or rather at the
expense of the nation; for such little items are
generally included under the head of ''sun-
dries" in the committees bills What passed
during the weary hours of the Chevalier's close
confinement. and whether he found the Con-
gressional bread and water palatable, we must
look in his forthcoming brochure to learn. We
are told, however, that General Sickles visited
the Chevalier in his dungeon, and gave him
friendly counsel and advice. We know that the
Chevalicr has been too well accustomed to bolts
and bars. at Ham and Genoa, to let confinement
disturb his serenity Of mind; and, although not
remarkably melodious, we can imagine
him Willing away the tedious hours in
chanting odes to liberty. AT last
some one conveyed rack, in the
shape of an iron bcdstead, into the cell of the
Chevalier, and after night of torture he con-
fessed that man named Watts had told him
about the Message. Watts is no doubt lineal
descendant Of the ancient psalmist who wrote
How doth the little busy bee;
and the modern Watts himself is rather in the
pastoral and poetical line; for he kept the
White House garden. This gardener could
read il seems, and perused President Lincoln 5
Message in the White House library, committed
few tid-bits Of it to memory, and repeated it
TO Chevalier Wikof. So the secret was out,
the prison doors opened, and the Chevalier,
with the materials for new brochure, is again
at liberty to eat and sleep where he likes.
But what has Paul Pry Hickman made by
his great discovery, after all He is no nearer
the secrets Of the White House than before. He
does not know what blacking is used 10 polish
the Presidential boots; in what cupboard the
administrative preserves are kent: who does