Mr. Tickler said this with such an air of self-confidence, that Stretcher immediately began to exhibit signs of anxiety, and was proceeding to make further inquiries, when the door opened and General Roger Potter stalked in, quite out of breath from the excess of heat.  Mr. Tickler having drained his punch to the bottom, proceeded without further ceremony to introduce Mr. Stretcher, undertaking at the same time to give the general an account of his business, as also the wonderful influence he had over the various heads of departments.  The general expressed great delight at meeting so influential a gentleman; and seeing that he had the government between his thumbs, at once intimated a desire to engage his services.  Not to be outdone in courtesy, Mr. Stretcher expressed great delight at meeting so distinguished a General.  “It would neither become me, nor the profession to which I belong to speak of myself; for though I have gained fame enough in politics, my military reputation stands so high with the nation that no man can take it down,” spoke the general.

“For that matter you speak true enough, Sir,” replied Mr. Stretcher, smiling and bowing blandly; “and, as I was just saying to your secretary, you have served the party like a patriot, and deserve well of the government.  If it is an office you seek, why, you have only to name it, and I warrant it shall be safe in your pocket in forty-eight hours.”

“Since you are capable of such extraordinary achievements, upon my soul, sir, you are just the man for my business.”

“I can tell you, general, no man can say of Ben Stretcher that he ever betrayed his trust; no man can say of Ben Stretcher that he cannot twist the government round his thumbs; and no man can say of Ben Stretcher that he artfully connived at doing wrong; for he knows his thread of life has not long to run.  Truly, sir, though many a man has tried hard enough to bring me down to his own level, not one has yet been found to raise his finger against my honor; and if you engage my services, I warrant to give you proof enough of my qualifications.”

The general listened attentively to the adept’s remarks, and after a short pause, spoke and said, “And now, sir, seeing that you have sufficient endowments for my business, before proceeding further in this matter we will have a punch; for that will soften the heart, and at the same time give such light to the mind, as will enable us to talk the matter over pleasantly.”

After turning to Mr. Tickler and apologizing for having declined a second punch with him, he then made his compliments to the general, saying that as the occasion was a rare one he would make an exception to what was otherwise a firmly established principle with him.

“Faith,” interposed Mr. Tickler, on hearing the punch suggested, “you both talk like men of the world and scholars; for a punch is a mighty potent in matters of this kind.”

The punches were up in a trice; and while Mr. Stretcher and the general debated their affairs over them, Mr. Tickler quietly sipped his in the corner.