weaker,
suggesting a possibility that the caterer could not distinguish
between cocoa and cold water, and only replenished his boiler with
the latter. There were more questions of order, more backing people
up to vote, and an increase of confusion. Men declared that they
would "stick," while they entreated others to shift, and as daylight
streamed in upon the scene, the political gamesters had haggard
and careworn countenances. The result of the night's work was no
choice.

At last, after nine long, tedious weeks, the agony was over, and
Massachusetts furnished the Thirty-fourth Congress with its Speaker.
Although what was termed "Americanism" played an important though
concealed part in the struggle, the real battle was between the
North and the South--the stake was the extension of slavery. When
the decisive vote was reached the galleries were packed with ladies,
who, like the gentle dames in the era of chivalry, sat interested
lookers-on as the combating parties entered the arena. On the one
side was Mr. Aiken, a Representative from the chivalric, headstrong
State of South Carolina, the son of an Irishman, the inheritor of
an immense wealth, and the owner of eleven hundred slaves. Opposed
to him was Mr. Banks, of Massachusetts, a State which was the very
antipodes of South Carolina in politics, who, by his own exertions,
unaided by a lineage or wealth or anything save his own indomitable
will, had conquered a position among an eminently conservative
people. Voting was commenced, and each minute seemed to be an age,
as some members had to explain their votes, but at length the
tellers began to "foot up." It had been agreed that the result
should be announced by the teller belonging to the party of the
successful candidate, and when the sheet was handed to Mr. Benson,
of Maine, the "beginning of the end" was known. Radiant with joy,
he announced that Nathaniel P. Banks, Jr., had received one hundred
and three votes; William Aiken, one hundred; H. M. Fuller, six; L.
D. Campbell, four; and Daniel Wells, Jr., of Wisconsin, one. The
election was what a Frenchman would call an "accomplished fact,"
and hearty cheers were heard on all sides.

Magnanimity is not a prominent ingredient in political character,
and some factious objections were made, by Mr. Aiken soon put a
stop to them. Rising with that dignity peculiar to wealthy and
portly gentlemen of ripe years, he requested permission to conduct
the Speaker-