Deeming it proper to inaugurate my work in our nation’s capital, I left my “Alma Mater” with all the trepidation of a child going out from the home-roof, and rushed into the exciting and excited vortex, where centralize our national interests, and where, as it were, throbs the great national heart, the city of Washington.  I was kindly received at the house of my cousin, Mrs. Reese, in which sanctum my heart took fresh hope and courage.  This was during the administration of Mr. Buchanan, and I first repaired to the bachelor President, who received me in his private audience-room with all of his characteristic and chivalrous courtesy.  Taking both my hands in his, he said, with deep emotion—­“I am so sorry for your deep affliction, but so glad that you have had the energy to write a book and the courage to make it a resource for support.  I pray that God may bless and prosper you, and I know he will.”

After this expression of his faith he showed his works by buying a book, for which he paid me two dollars and a half, more than double its price.  So spoke, so did, the noble man, in whose heart was enshrined the memory of one cherished love, the idolized object of which precluded the possibility of a second affection, while the grand heart of the statesman went out in kindness and sympathy to all.

My second call was at one of the government offices, where my nervous excitement rendered me so nearly speechless that I could only silently and tremblingly tender a book to a young man who was one of the clerks.  Seeing the movement, he asked: 

“Do you wish, to sell the book?” to which I nodded an affirmative.

He turned jocularly toward me, and asked:  “Were you ever in love?”

Speech suddenly followed in the wake of offended dignity, and I promptly replied:  “Sir, I try to love every one.”

“But,” said he, in soaring strain, “suppose a young man should say to you—­’You are the cherished idol of my worship, the one sweet flower blooming in my pathway, etc., etc.’ what would you think?”

I quickly responded:  “Sir, I should think he had more poetry than good sense in his composition.”

Pleased, and apparently thoughtful, he turned from me, and going among the other employees, returned with the money for a dozen copies of my book in his hand, and on his lips a penitent and evidently heartfelt assurance that he meant no harm or insult by his words, humbly craved my pardon for the offense, and closed by wishing me many God speeds.

My next effort was in the Treasury Department, where the first person I approached exclaimed: 

“Mary Day! where did you come from?” This exclamation was followed by many other expressions of joy and surprise.  Suddenly the loving arm of a young girl encircled me.  Kisses fell upon my forehead, cheek and lips, and words of endearment came in copious pearly showers.  At the first lull in the sweet confusion I asked:  “Who are you all?”