Hiram nodded a doubtful assent.

How fortunate,’ continued Mr. Bennett, that the Winslows are going to Europe, and how lucky I got there the minute I did!  Young Bishop came in just as I closed the purchase.  I know what he wanted it for, and I know what I wanted it for.  Hiram, a word in your ear—­your pew is immediately in front of our heiress!  Bravo, old fellow!  Now, will you pay up?’

Hiram nodded this time with satisfaction.

The second Sunday thereafter one might observe that the Winslows’ pew had been newly cushioned and carpeted, and otherwise put in order.  Several prayer books and a Bible, elegantly bound, and lettered ’H.  Meeker,’ were placed in it.  This could not escape the notice of the very elegant and fashionably dressed young lady in the next slip.  Strange to say, the pew contained no occupant.  But just before the service was about to commence, Hiram, purposely a little late, walked quietly in, and took possession of his property.  His pose was capital.  His ease and nonchalance were perfectly unexceptionable, evidencing haut ton.  He had been practising for weeks.

‘Who can he be?’ asked the elegant and fashionably dressed young lady of herself.  She was left to wonder.  When he walked homeward, Hiram was informed by Mr. Bennett that the elegant and fashionably dressed young lady was Miss Arabella Thorne, without father, without mother, of age, and possessed of a clear sum of two hundred thousand dollars in her own right!

AMERICAN FINANCES AND RESOURCES.

LETTER NO.  I, FROM HON.  ROBERT J. WALKER.

LONDON, 10 Half Moon Street, Piccadilly, August 5, 1863.

The question has been often asked me, here and on the continent, how has your Secretary of the Treasury (Mr. Chase) so marvellously sustained American credit during this rebellion, and when will your finances collapse? This question I have frequently answered in conversations with European statesmen and bankers, and the discussion has closed generally in decided approval of Mr. Chase’s financial policy, and great confidence in the wonderful resources of the United States.

Thus encouraged, I have concluded to discuss the question in a series of letters, explaining Mr. Chase’s system and stating the reasons of its remarkable success.  The interest in such a topic is not confined to the United States, nor to the present period, but extends to all times and nations.  Indeed, finance, as a science, belongs to the world.  It is a principal branch of the doctrine of ‘the wealth of nations,’ discussed, during the last century, with so much ability by Adam Smith.  Although many great principles were then settled, yet political economy is emphatically progressive, especially the important branches of credit, currency, taxation, and revenue.