war with the utmost freedom. He said that he was a true Southerner in his sympathies, and that his extreme age alone had prevented him from offering his services to the Confederacy. He, however, had helped the cause as much as he could with his means and influence, and his only regret was that he had not been able to take an active part in the great conflict.
General Harney, it appears, had heard some mention of my adventures, and was very anxious to ask me about them. He did not, however, think that the dinner-table of the International Hotel of Omaha was exactly the suitable place to bring up a subject about which 1 might have some hesitation in speaking, and so deferred asking me any questions until a better opportunity offered.
When we returned to the drawing-room I met some St. Louis people whom I knew, and, engaging in conversation with them, the general politely asked to be excused, and said that he would like very much to have a conversation with me in his private parlor after four o'clock.
When he was gone, Governor C., a tall, lank, shambling backwoodsman, stalked up to me, and, in an awkward sort of a way, introduced himself. He desired to make the acquaintance of General Harney, and wished to know if I would not do the "polite thing" for him, that is, give him an introduction to the general. It struck me that, considering his official position, he might as well have introduced himself; but, as he apparently did not know how to do this gracefully, I told him that if the general was willing, he and the governor should become acquainted after four o'clock, if he would meet me in the drawing-room.
At the appointed hour I descended from my room, where I had been arranging my toilet, and found this model specimen of a statesman pacing uneasily backwards and forwards in the hall, waiting for me. For a wonder, his hat was in his hand instead of on his head, which I took to be an indication that his mother had taught him one or two points of etiquette in his youth, which he had managed to retain in his memory.
When he saw me, he came shambling up with that queer gait of his, and said, with a grin, "I am on hand, you see; we western men are generally prompt when we have engagements with the fair sex."
"Yes, I see you are punctual; it is a good habit. I once knew a man who made a large fortune by punctuality."
