CHAPTER XXIII.
SUCCESS IN SILK As things are, I think women are generally better creatures than men .-- _S.T.

Coleridge_.
It was a part of my duties, when in Washington, to assist my chief in his personal and official correspondence, which necessarily was very heavy.

This work we customarily began about nine of the morning.

On the following day I was on hand earlier than usual.

I was done with Washington now, done with everything, eager only to be off on the far trails once more.