The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1872-10-10

me that this was the sort Of thing
that went on every night. We had
a rich table garnishcd with choice
wines, and the bright flow of talk
the last named generally brings out.
! was particularly struck with two
Of tho guests--onc n slender youth
with largo dark oyos and broad,
thoughtful forehead. whom | took
for an Italian or Frcnchman; his
namo has since taken its placcupon
the roll of immortality, pinned there
by the most fearful crime ever COM
mittcd the other II beautiful woman
of twenty, in fact, but much youn-
ger in appearance. / found this
young lady exceedingly charming,
as she was not only lovely in per,
son but lively in mind.
OF that little assembly in the sup
pcr-room two only survive, ! and
another.
While we wcro in command at
Baltimore, and, after Col. Fish got
into his difficulty with Baker, so that
| had, for time, immediate control
Of the provost marshal's Office, | re-
ccivcd II card, at the Eutaw house,
from lady waiting to sso mo in
the parlor. On repairing to that
reception room, found my fair
friend Of the wine supper in Wash
ington. SO far as her beauty went
she remained the same, but her
wardrobe cvinccd straitcncd circum-
stances, if not poverty, She gave
me a long account Of her troubles,
and wound up by Offering to go to
Richmond in the employ ofthc gov
crnmcnt, and return with all the
information she could gather up
for the use Of the war department
in Washington. | at onco engaged
her, but did not send so suspicious
an agent into the cncmy's country
until after | had given her II fair
trial in Baltimore. She proved the
most adroit, cunning, scIt-poSscsscd
detective that | ever saw or read Of.
She afterward made two successful
trips to Richmond, returning with
valuable information, although Mr..
Stanton had no question but that
she carried to tho cOnfcdCratCs as
much as she brought away.
! left the army, and saw and
heard no moro Of my pretty little
detective until the day | met her in
the ladies gallery so elegantly got
ten up and surrounded, that is if
she was really the same. All doubt
on this subject was removed by II
note | received the next day, invit-
ing me to an interview at the fair
woman's lodgings. | found her sur
rounded with elegant upholstery,
and yet more fascinating in the deli
cate morning robe that so adorned
a beautiful woman by the concealed
effort to adorn. A tall, square built,
iron gray man Of intensely respect
able appearance was introduced as
her husband, and as long as he re-
mained no aIlusion whatever was
made to the past other than the
few words of introduction as an oId
and valued friend. Soon as he left,
however, she turned and said 4;
" How kind Of you not to recognize
me yesterday. My poor heart was
in my mouth when | saw you ap-
proach. But you have such tact
you have such a kind heart; | was
relieved in moment when | saw
that you stared as if only attracted
by my charms"
" Why, wouldn't your husband
put up with the part you are, ! sup
pose, conccaling from him."
"My husband and she gave
silvcry little 'laugh-"my husband,
that fellow, Why, he isn'tmy hus-
band. We only make believe. But
if the Hon --- you saw me with
yesterday were to suspect for Il mo-
mcnt, would be ruined.
"Comc, now, this is interesting
tell me all about it. What little
game are you up to? Believe me, |
won't bctray YOU
"That's clever; you never have,
and ] don't add to the risk by tell
ing you. Well, | am no longer II
n spy; | am II lobby
agent. 1t is my business to persuade
honorable members to vote for our
BILL
"What is your bill"
"Thc ono | am employed to wor-
ry through"
"Wcll, docs it require a sham
husband, a handsome carriage and
all this sort Of thing to sct up Il lob
by agcnt?'
"Ccrtainly. Without husband
| would not be respectable with.
out a carriage, and all this evidence
Of wealth, would not be attrac-
tive. 1t pays, however. l could
retire now on Il hundred thousand.
But | am horribly ambitious; | want
Il million-only think Of it, | must
have million. | have sold myself
for money and | want a good dprice."
"And do none of the honorable
representatives know who you are?
"Why, you goose. | thought
you knew better than that. Why,
the ring always reaches into the
House and Senate, and some Of our
directors are the most respectable
men in Congress. There is one, the
most benevolent, pious, phiIanthro-
pic individual in the world. lie is
50 intensely pious that he never