CHAPTER II.
THE JOURNEY FROM WASHINGTON.
Washington, Dec. 10th.—To accomplish the purposes which
brought me to Washington, it was necessary, on arriving
here, to make arrangements to secure food and shelter while
I remained. There are two thousand visitors now in Washington
under a similar necessity. There are a dozen or more
persons who, for a consideration, undertake to provide what
they want. Mr. Dexter is reported to be the best of them,
and really seems a very obliging and honestly-disposed person.
To Mr. Dexter, therefore, I commit myself.
I commit myself by inscribing my name in a Register. Five minutes after I have done so, Clerk No. 4, whose attention I have hitherto been unable to obtain, suddenly catches the Register by the corner, swings it round with a jerk, and throws a hieroglyph at it, which strikes near my name. Henceforth, I figure as Boarder No. 201 (or whatever it may be). Clerk No. 4 pipes "Boarder away!" and throws key No. 201 upon the table. Turnkey No. 3 takes it, and me, and my travelling bag, up several flights of stairs, along corridors and galleries, and finally consigns me to this little square cell.
I have faith that there is a tight roof above the much-cracked ceiling; that the bed is clean; and that I shall, by-and-by, be summoned, along with hundreds of other boarders, to partake, in silent sobriety, of a "splendid" dinner.
