t away. An unearthly yell greeted the appearance of the
grinning monster, and the Indians fled wildly to the woods. "Quick,
Joe! Light up the other one! Don't you see that's what scar't 'em
so?" demanded Obed; and at the appearance of the second fiery face the
savages gave a final yell and vanished in the forest. Mr. Moore and
daylight came together, but the Indians did not return.

Thurlow Weed earned his first quarter by carrying a trunk on his back
from a sloop in New York harbor to a Broad Street hotel. He had very
few chances such as are now open to the humblest boy, but he had tact
and intuition. He could read men as an open book, and mold them to his
will. He was unselfish. By three presidents whom his tact and
shrewdness had helped to elect he was offered the English mission and
scores of other important positions, but he invariably declined.

Lincoln selected Weed to attempt the reconciliation of the "New York
Herald," which had a large circulation in Europe, and was creating a
dangerous public sentiment abroad and at home by its articles in
sympathy with the Confederacy. Though Weed and Bennett had not spoken
to each other before for thirty years, the very next day after their
interview the "Herald" became a strong Union paper. Weed was then sent
to Europe to counteract the pernicious influence of secession agents.
The emperor of France favored the South. He was very indignant because
Charleston harbor had been blockaded, thus shutting off French
manufacturers from large supplies of cotton. But Weed's rare tact
modified his views, and induced him to change to friendliness the tone
of a hostile speech prepared for delivery to the National Assembly.
England was working night and day preparing for war when Weed arrived
upon the scene, and soon changed largely the current of public
sentiment. On his return to America the city of New York extended
public thanks to him for his inestimable services. He was equally
successful in business, and acquired a fortune of a million dollars.

"Tell me the breadth of this stream," said Napoleon to his chief
engineer, as they came to a bridgeless river which the army had to
cross. "Sire, I cannot. My scientific instruments are with the army,
and we are ten miles ahead of it."

"Measure the width of this stream instantly."--"Sire, be
reasonable!"--"Ascertain at once the width of this river, or you shall
be deposed."

The engineer drew the cap-piece of his he