---'

'Never mind from where, my dear,' said Mr, Myrtle pleasantly, and he
bowed Hiram out in a manner which positively charmed our hero.

That evening Mr. Bennett told Hiram he had purchased a pew for
him--price sixteen hundred and fifty dollars.

'Sixteen hundred and fifty dollars,' exclaimed the other, in amazement.

'Yes.'

'Why, I can't stand that. The dearest pews in Dr. Chellis's church were
not over six hundred. You are joking.'

'You are an idiot,' retorted Mr. Bennett, half pettishly, half
playfully. 'Have you not placed yourself in my hands? Shall I not manage
your interests as I please? I say I want sixteen hundred and fifty
dollars. I know you can draw the money without the least inconvenience.
If I thought you could not, I would advance it myself. Are you content?'

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