rrived from Sharon Springs, and had luncheon at the Inn at
Five-Mile Point, on Otsego Lake. Secretary Seward's guests included Lord
Lyons, of England; Baron Gerolt, of Prussia; M. Mercier, of France;
Baron Stroeckel, of Russia; M. Tassara, of Spain; M. Molina, of
Nicaragua; together with the representatives of Italy, Sweden, and
Chili; and several secretaries and attaches of various legations. A few
citizens of Cooperstown, including Judge Nelson, were invited to take
luncheon with the visitors. The master of ceremonies was the Hon. Levi
C. Turner of Cooperstown, who was at that time Judge advocate in the
War Department, and had accompanied the party from Washington.

The luncheon passed without incident, except that a weighty citizen of
the village undertook to demonstrate, for the benefit of the foreigners,
the American method of eating corn on the cob, to the great disgust of a
dapper attache of the British legation, who was horrified by the
performance. When the guests had left the table, which had been set
beneath the trees, and were lounging about in peaceful enjoyment of the
forest shade and lakeland view, there appeared upon the scene a person
who impressed the foreigners as being a veritable pioneer. He was a
tall, loose-jointed creature, bearded and long-haired; he wore a slouch
hat and a hickory shirt, while one suspender supported blue jean
overalls, which disappeared in a pair of cowhide boots of huge
proportions. This uninvited guest calmly inspected the assembled
company, drew near to the deserted tables, helped himself to a tumbler
and a bottle of brandy, from which he poured out four fingers of the
fiery liquid, and drank it raw. He seemed thoughtful for a moment; then
repeated the dose. Thus agreeably stimulated the stranger made himself
at home in the company, and became talkative.

"I say," he said, bustling alongside the French minister, "you're goin'
to stand right by us in this muss, ain't you?"

The polite diplomat hastened to assure him that the French government
desired nothing but the most friendly relations. The man drew nearer
than was necessary for diplomatic intercourse:

"Honor bright, now, and no foolin'?"

The ambassador repeated his assurance of friendship, and edged away from
the pioneer, whose gesticulations became alarming as he shouted,

"You've got to, don't you see--"

What he wanted the Frenchman to see was the power of the Union
Government, and, as words failed him to de