e Tattler." In
brief, Mr. Tibbets seemed to be a man who was in the habit of dealing
with rascals, and liked them. Would Mr. Tibbets have a cup of coffee
sent up to him? Mr. Tibbets had breakfasted, and, therefore, declined
the courtesy. Would Mr. Tibbets have a cigar? Mr. Tibbets would, and, on
the assurance that they were nicer than he would be apt to find
elsewhere, Mr. Tibbets consented to put a handful of cigars into his
pocket. Mr. Tibbets then drew up to the table, whittled his pencil,
straightened out his paper, and proceeded to business, looking much, as
he faced the proprietor, like a Sunday-school teacher on a rainy day,
with the one pupil before him who had braved the storm because he had
his lesson at his tongue's end.

As the substance of the questions and answers appeared in the next
morning's "Tattler," hereafter to be quoted, it is not necessary to
recite them here. At the close of the interview, which was very friendly
and familiar, Mr. Belcher rose, and with the remark: "You fellows must
have a pretty rough time of it," handed the reporter a twenty-dollar
bank-note, which that gentleman pocketed without a scruple, and without
any remarkable effusiveness of gratitude. Then Mr. Belcher wanted him to
see the house, and so walked over it with him. Mr. Tibbets was
delighted. Mr. Tibbets congratulated him. Mr. Tibbets went so far as to
say that he did not believe there was another such mansion in New York.
Mr. Tibbets did not remark that he had been kicked out of several of
them, only less magnificent, because circumstances did not call for the
statement. Then Mr. Tibbets went away, and walked off hurriedly down the
street to write out his report.

The next morning Mr. Belcher was up early in order to get his "Tattler"
as soon as it was dropped at his door. He soon found, on opening the
reeking sheet, the column which held the precious document of Mr.
Tibbets, and read:

"The Riot at Sevenoaks!!!
"An interesting Interview with Col. Belcher!
"The original account grossly Exaggerated!
"The whole matter an outburst of Personal Envy!
"The Palgrave Mansion in a fume!
"Tar, feathers and fagots!
"A Tempest in a Tea-pot!
"Petroleum in a blaze, and a thousand fingers burnt!!!
"Stand out from under!!!"

The headings came near taking Mr. Belcher's breath away. He gasped,
shuddered, and wondered what was coming.