Two rooms were set apart for broken and unbroken china, which (again in compliment to Mrs. Gillespie’s native tongue) were called _Bric a brac_ apartments. The exhibition was open to the public for six weeks with a table _à la carte_ in the dining-room. The net profit was close on to seventy-five dollars. And after all this work, after obtaining from them all these ducats, what did the centennial magnates say to the ladies? “Ladies,” said they, “we have taken your money; we have urged you to labor; we have induced you, in the person of our special partner, to travel to sister cities to persuade the daughters of our land to make a proper exhibition of their importance and standing in this home of equal rights; but, ah, unfortunately, we shall not be able to allow you any space in our buildings; the old women of China, the aged females of Timbuctoo claim it, and if you want to display that standing and importance we have mentioned, why--ah--here are plans for a building; take them, get up a side show for yourselves, pay for it yourselves, and be--happy.” CHAPTER III. “THE COOKS.” ... WHO FED THE FLAMES. [Illustration] Our record would be incomplete if we failed to insert a few brief biographical sketches of some of the personages prominently connected with the conduct of the Centennial celebration. We regret being obliged to limit the list to a very few of the many deserving of the honor. The facts which we relate in regard to them, have been industriously gathered from many sources probably unknown even to the parties themselves. Should we succeed in awakening one soul to pure aspiring action--should we be the means of placing one pair of feet into those “footprints on the sands of time” which lead to honored greatness--our labor has not been in vain. GENERAL JOSEPH NAPOLEON HAWLEY,