The landlord smiled, and expressed his delight at such an act of condescension, which was rare in so great a man.

The major then made a hasty toilet, and together they entered the western dining room, the size and splendor of which quite astonished him, for the walls were inlaid with mirrors from the ceiling to the floor, and reflected the guests and each object with which the table was set out, while the ceiling overhead was decorated with frescoes and stucco work tipped with gold.  Observing many fine ladies present, the major, out of sheer respect to his military reputation, made them all one of his most courteous bows before taking a seat, at which they were not a little diverted.

The landlord being himself a politician of no mean order, asked the major what he thought would be the effect of the repeal of the Missouri Compromise.

“That, sir,” replied the major, “depends entirely upon how the people take it.  If they hold their peace, then there will be peace.  But if these humanity mongers, who would break the peace of the nation to get a new issue on the nigger question, get to kicking up a dust, then there will be no peace.  It must certainly be confessed, that niggers ought to thank heaven that they are as well off as they are; and those who say otherwise know not what they say.  I also hold it an advantage in political economy, that we keep the lazy rascals where by selling them we can pocket the money when occasion requires.”

The landlord was now satisfied that his guest was at least right on this all important question of “niggers,” though as many inferences might be drawn from his answer as from a speech of Senator Douglas respecting the territories.

Among other things, the major noticed that not a few of the ladies were deeply absorbed in reading the morning papers, and this so excited his curiosity that he must needs inquire of the landlord what it meant, when he was told that they contained an accurate account of what took place on the previous night, including his speech, which was so perfect a piece of composition, embracing so many subjects, and discovering a power to penetrate the designs of the enemy so truly wonderful, that not only his friends, but every lady at the table was commending him for it.  “It is generous of them,” returned the major, squinting across the table; “but I would have you know, I am a favorite with the ladies wherever I go, and being naturally tender hearted, I have known times when they would embrace me most affectionately.  I say this between ourselves, for their fondness was beyond my expectation.”  Having ordered a copy of the Herald, (a journal which had for many years furnished the major his political, philosophical, and diversional reading,) he there found not only that he had made a speech of rare eloquence, but one of the most delightful as well as minute biographies of himself ever written.  In truth, he was there made the hero of so many exploits