The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1872-10-10
THE FEMALE LOBBY.
A Story of Army and Washington Life

From Dom Piatt's Washington Capital.
1t il when the average congress
man first como in contact with the
female lobby that he realizes his
translation. These are to him rofn'
cd, fascinating, and beautiful crca'
turcs, His poor little homcly wife
fades in'o naught. His life seems
to havo been barren until thcn-and
how he regrets the early marriage
that shuts him out from an union
with one Of these elegant women
There are two sorts Of processes
through which fraudulent legislation
is perfected. One is called the
"ring," which means a combination
of rogucs torsomc one purpose; the
othcris called the "lobby," and des-
ignatcs agents living here, and en-
pIoycd by rings and individuals to
push their evil schemes through
Congress.
| was turning this over in my
mind during the late session, when
happened 20 cast my eyes to the
ladies' gallery above, and out Of the
gloom saw u memory come in the
shape Of Il fair face. was so dis
turbcd and haunted by this memory
that | left my scat and satntcrcd in
to the gallery, seating myself near
my fair friend, and without rudeIy
staring l found my mind gradually
gathering up the disiointcd trag-
mcnts Of the past, until the fair face
was turned in and located, 1t was
very sweet face, not so young az
it once was, but with a prevailing
expression Of childlikc innocence.
Add to this manner Of great re-
fnomcnt, set of and adorned in the
extreme Of fashion, but subducd to
the best taste, and the most artistic
harmonizing Of colors, and had
an old acquaintance before me. Al
though | looked my fair friend IN
the face, | saw that either she had
forgotten me, or was not disposed
to renew the acquaintance. She was
talking in a quiet, easy manner to
n wcll.knOwn member Of Congress,
and considerably withdrew as il |
had been looking in the face Of an
utter stranger instead Of one well
known in times gone by. An hour
aitcrward ! happendcd to be upon
the entrance to the Senate chamber,
where the multitude Of marble steps
seemed to run out and flow down,
when my fair friend came by ac-
compaincd by her con ,grcssiOnal es-
cort, late Of the gallery, and almost
brushing me with her dress as she
passed, the two descended. ! saw
neat private carriage drawn by a
handsome pair Of bays, and driven
by a coachman in livery, roll up.
Ny friend of the law-making pow
er helped the lady in with IA bow;
the door swung to with a bang, and
the fair one drove away, while the
Solon came up the steps, humming
a tune to himself and swapping his
making fingers, as if especially
pleased with himself. Having II
speaking acquaintance, | begged
pardon for my curiosity, and asked
Scion the name Of his friend.
"Mrs~-, Of New York,' was the
quiet response.
The whole Of these surroundings
were entirely different, and appa,
rcntly so lie long and respectable
from those that ! believed formerly
hedgcd in the lady, that ! was III
doub'. But no; the longer | thought
upon the matter the more ! felt sat
isticd OF the identity. And the re,
membranco was singular.
While detailed in Washington,
during the war, awaiting orders, !
was invited by II brother officer to
wine supper. The people giving
the entertainment were strangers,
but taking my friends word for it
that | would be welcome, 1 went
with him. The house was aplain, I'M
pretending affair, offered IL display of
upholstery rather uncommon about
Washington, and | learned that the
house and furniture belonged to a
"scccsh" family that had hastily left
the city before the battle of Bull
Run, putting their property in the
hands of friends. The friends as
selnblcd on this occasisn were qncs
tionablc. The parlors were in u
blaze of lignt, and under the glass
globes were some very pretty wo-