Their answers were discouraging, and their advice was to prepare myself for disappointment.
In this state of mind I retired to my chamber and made all my arrangements for leaving Washington the next day.

Painful as was this prospect of renewed disappointment, you, my dear sir, will understand me when I say that, knowing from experience whence my help must come in any difficulty, I soon disposed of my cares, and slept as quietly as a child.
"In the morning, as I had just gone into the breakfast-room, the servant called me out, announcing that a young lady was in the parlor wishing to speak with me.

I was at once greeted with the smiling face of my young friend, the daughter of my old and valued friend and classmate, the Honorable H.L.Ellsworth, the Commissioner of Patents.

On my expressing surprise at so early a call, she said:-- "'I have come to congratulate you.' "'Indeed, for what ?' "'On the passage of your bill.' "'Oh! no, my young friend, you are mistaken; I was in the Senate chamber till after the lamps were lighted, and my senatorial friends assured me there was no chance for me.' "'But,' she replied, 'it is you that are mistaken.

Father was there at the adjournment at midnight, and saw the President put his name to your bill, and I asked father if I might come and tell you, and he gave me leave.