e, and
my neck an uneasy sensation. It was high time I sought the embrace of
that hard mattress in the fourth story. But my fears were groundless.
When I crept noiselessly to bed, Javins was sleeping as soundly and
snoring as sweetly as if his sins were all forgiven.

When I awoke in the morning, breakfast was already laid on the
centre-table, and an army of newsboys were shouting under our windows,
"'Ere's the 'En'quirer' and _the_ 'Dis'patch.' Great news from the
front. Gin'ral Grant mortally killed,--shot with a cannon." Rising, and
beginning my toilet, I said to Javins, in a tone of deep concern,--

"When did that happen?"

"Why, o' Saturday. I hearn of it afore we left the lines. 'Twas all over
town yesterday," he replied, with infinite composure.

"And you didn't tell us! That was unkind of you, Javins,--very unkind.
How _could_ you do it?"

"It's ag'in' orders to talk news with you;--besides, I thought you
knowed it."

"How should we know it?"

"Why, your boat was only just ahead of his'n, comin' up the river. He
got shot runnin' that battery. Hit in the arm, and died when they
amputated him."

"Amputated him! Did they cut off his head to save his arm?"

Whether he saw a quiet twinkle in my eye, or knew that the news was
false, I know not. Whichever it was, he replied,--

"I reckon. Then you don't b'lieve it?"

"Why should I doubt it? Don't your papers always tell the truth?"

"No, they never do; lyin' 's their trade."

"Then you suppose they're whistling now to keep up their courage? But
let us see what they say. Oblige me with some of your currency."

He kindly gave me three dollars for one, and ringing the bell, I soon
had the five dingy half-sheets which every morning, "Sundays excepted,"
hold up this busy world, "its fluctuations and its vast concerns," to
the wondering view of beleaguered Richmond.

"Dey's fifty cents apiece, Massa," said the darky, handing me the
papers, and looking wistfully on the poor specimen of lithography which
remained after the purchase; "what shill I do wid dis?"

"Oh! keep it. I'd give you more, but that's all the lawful money I have
about me."

He hesitated, as if unwilling to take my last half-dollar; but self soon
got the better of him. He pocketed the shin-plaster, and said nothing;
but "Poor gentleman! I's sorry for _you_! Libin' at do Spotswood, and no
money about you!" was legible all over his face.

We opened the papers, and, sure enough, General Gr