calendar, to have revenge of a swarm of unwashed and ragged urchins, who stood jeering him at a respectful distance, and whom his sudden advances and retreats rather amused than daunted; for although they seemed in no way inclined to stand his charge, they would follow his retreat with renewed energy.  A waiter now relieved the animal of the saddlebags and holsters, and taking him by the bridle led him limping to the stable, where he seized with great avidity the hay and oats set before him.  A second policeman, according to a well respected custom among the force, came up when all the trouble was over, and addressing the discomfited alderman, said:  “If I had been a minute sooner, sir, this thing would not have occurred; but I was called from my beat to quell a brush at fists between two of our common councilmen, at Florence’s.  I now come to your protection; and as you are a worthy gentleman, whom it is my office to obey, say but the word and I pledge you my faith to club the heads of every one of your persecutors.  But first let me entreat you to get into the house, and if my club fail not, you shall see how I can keep the peace.”

The alderman listened with great attention to the policeman, converted his rage into discretion, and disappeared in the great bar room of the St. Nicholas, where he forgot his afflictions in a stout draught of water and whiskey, which so addressed itself to his dignity, that after ordering it charged to the city’s account, he repaired quietly into the presence of his true friends, who had already began to unite in compliments to the major.  “Now, meiger,” spoke Mr. Alderman Dooley, approaching the major, with his right hand extended, “understand that it’s we that are the riprisintitives of this mitropilas, in which ye’re as wilcome as the flowers of May.  Mind that now!  And may the smiles of heaven rest upon ye, an’ upon the gineration ye bilongs to.  Gifts, meiger, are given to the great for a pirpose.  Faith, it’s my own exparience tells me that!  Whisht now! (Here he tapped the major confidentially on the arm.) The city manes to do ye ‘oner enough, oneyhow.  An’ its myself and Terry Brady ’ll see the pay comes.”  Terry Brady was the name of the distinguished politician.  Mr. Dan Dooley now being, as he said, “entirely done out,” flung his hat under the table and himself upon a luxuriant sofa, carved in black walnut, and upholstered with green and orange colored brocade.  And upon this he felt great comfort for his feet, while the high colored figures of the Turkey carpet afforded him an excellent target for the substance he ever and anon ejected from his spacious and discolored mouth.

And, too, my high regard for the fair guests of the great St. Nicholas, of whom it was said by these malicious reporters that they rushed “en masse” to receive the major, immediately he entered the house, reminds me that I must not forget to mention, that the only ladies present were the wife of the distinguished politician, and a damsel of fair looks and firm virtue.  I am no higilian, and only use the term “firm virtue” here, as being applicable to this damsel; for although no end of slanders had been cast upon her, the man who dared to come forward and say he had trifled with her chastity, was yet to be found.  By these, I freely confess he was received with a courtesy worthy of so great a politician.