rivate
conversation, was attractive in the highest degree. He possessed a full,
melodious voice, convincing fervor and ready wit.

He had married for his second wife the reigning belle of the National
Capital, a great-niece of Mrs. Madison, whose very natural ambitions
quickened and spurred his own.

It was fated otherwise. Like Clay, Webster, Calhoun and Blaine he was to
be denied the Presidency. The White House was barred to him. He was not
yet fifty when he died.

Tidings of his death took the country by surprise. But already the
sectional battle was on and it produced only a momentary impression, to
be soon forgotten amid the overwhelming tumult of events. He has lain in
his grave now nearly sixty years. Upon the legislation of his time his
name was writ first in water and then in blood. He received less than
his desert in life and the historic record has scarcely done justice to
his merit. He was as great a party leader as Clay. He could hold his own
in debate with Webster and Calhoun. He died a very poor man, though his
opportunity for enrichment by perfectly legitimate means were many. It
is enough to say that he lacked the business instinct and set no value
upon money; scrupulously upright in his official dealing; holding his
senatorial duties above all price and beyond the suspicion of dirt.

Touching a matter which involved a certain outlay in the winter of 1861,
he laughingly said to me: "I haven't the wherewithal to pay for a bottle
of whisky and shall have to borrow of Arnold Harris the wherewithal to
take me home."

His wife was a glorious creature. Early one morning calling at their
home to see Judge Douglas I was ushered into the library, where she was
engaged setting things to rights. My entrance took her by surprise. I
had often seen her in full ballroom regalia and in becoming out-of-door
costume, but as, in gingham gown and white apron, she turned, a little
startled by my sudden appearance, smiles and blushes in spite of
herself, I thought I had never seen any woman so beautiful before. She
married again--the lover whom gossip said she had thrown over to marry
Judge Douglas--and the story went that her second marriage was not very
happy.

IV

In the midsummer of 1859 the burning question among the newsmen of
Washington was the Central American Mission. England and France had
displayed activity in that quarter and it was deemed important that the
United States should sit up and take not