from Carthagena, and have a week's later papers.

"Truly yours, J. E."

(Mr. E. was the enterprising commodore of our news-boats.)

No. 4.

"6-1/4 o'clock, P. M.

"DEAR SIR:--I have just opened accidentally the enclosed letter,
from our correspondent at Panama. You will see that it bears a New
Orleans post-mark. I hope it may prove exclusive.

"Yours, J. F."

(Mr. F. was general editor of the Argus.)

No. 5.

"6-1/2 o'clock, P. M.

"DEAR SIR:--A seaman, who appears to be an intelligent man, has
arrived this morning at New Bedford, and says he has later news of
the rebellion in Ecuador than any published. The Rosina (his
vessel) brought no papers. I bade him call at your room at eight
o'clock, which he promised to do.

"Truly yours, J. G."

(Mr. G. was clerk in the Argus counting-room.)

No. 6.

"7-1/2 o'clock, P. M.

"DEAR SIR:--The papers by the Ville de Lyon, from Havre, which I
have just received, mention the reported escape of M. Bonpland from
Paraguay, the presumed death of Dr. Francia, the probable overthrow
of the government, the possible establishment of a republic, and a
great deal more than I understand in the least.

"These papers had not come to hand when I wrote you this afternoon.
I have left them on your desk at the office.

"In haste, J. F."

I was taken all aback by this mass of odd-looking little notes. I had
spent the afternoon in drilling Singleton, the kindest of friends, as to
what he should do in any probable contingency of news of the next
forty-eight hours, for I did not intend to be absent on a wedding tour
even longer than that time; but I felt that Singleton was entirely
unequal to such a storm of intelligence as this; and, as I hurried down
to the office, my chief sensation was that of gratitude that the cloud
had broken before I was out of the way; for I knew I could do a great
deal in an hour, and I had faith that I might slur over my digest as
quickly as possible, and be at Mrs. Pollexfen's within the time
arranged.

I rushed into the office in that state of zeal in which a man may do
anything in almost no time. But first, I had to go into the
conversation-room, and get the oral news from my sailor; then Mr. H.,
from one of the little news-boats, came to me in high glee, with some
Venezuela Gazettes, which he had ju