Memoirs of an editor : fifty years of American journalism / Edward P. Mitchell.

IN CIVIL WAR TIME

29

Henry's remarks, but at the same time was viewing the
preparations for slumber with an expression of countenance that registered more or less apprehension. By and
by Uncle Henry beckoned to me.
"Neddy," he said, "I want to introduce you to Governor Andrew. He has the berth under yours. I don't
think it will be quite comfortable for him. We were asking
each other if you would be willing to exchange with the
governor."
I assented with enthusiasm, not so much, I fear me,
out of devotion to the Union cause, or the policy of
emancipation and the employment of colored troops which
Andrew was then urging upon the President, as because
that shallow dark shelf had the fascination which anything cave-like exercises upon the small boy. Andrew's
face immediately became tranquil. He could not have
thanked me more warmly if I had offered to raise and
equip at private expense a regiment to help out his State's
quota. I went to sleep down-stairs wondering a little
what was going to happen if the planking above me gave
way in the night, and was not at all exalted by any consciousness that I was enabling the distinguished war
governor of Massachusetts to arrive at the capital without impairment of his dignified rotundity of person.
The governor beamed on me through his glasses when
Washington was reached. In a shabby hack all three of
us rode together along a wide avenue lined with insignificant brick structures, residences and shops alike of inexpensive aspect. The street was almost as deep in mud as
it was laterally imposing; for far in the future, then, was
the beneficent Tweed of the Washington pavements, of
whom I was to hear and know so much in The Sun office

when Boss Shepherd was endeavoring to drag Mr. Dana
away from New York for trial in the District of Columbia
courts on a charge of criminal libel-an attempted rape of
jurisdiction prevented at different times by decisions of