Now, the person selected for this important mission was no other than our old acquaintance, Mr. John Harmon. He was intrusted with the business for several excellent reasons. In the first place, he was a ready and vehement talker. Secondly, he was an enthusiast on the post-office question, and a bitter opponent of the Blake faction. Thirdly, he understood human nature, and knew how to manage Ames. Fourthly, and chiefly, he was the author of the most serious charge against Blake. He had a short time before posted a letter containing a twenty dollar bank-note, at the Harrowfork post-office. This letter never reached its destination. Now, Blake knew there was money in that letter; and it could be proved that, not long after its miscarriage, just such a bank-note as the one contained was passed by the post master, "under suspicious circumstances." This charge was on file among the papers of the Department; and it was thought that Harmon was the most suitable person to agitate the subject. Mr. John Harmon made a comfortable journey, and arrived at the seat of Government in due season. His first business was to secure lodgings suited to the high character of a delegate from Harrowfork. But Washington was crowded with visitors, and the hotels were filled. Mr. John Harmon was chagrined. He leaned his chin upon his hand, and his elbow upon the counter of the "National." Mr. John Harmon ruminated. "I don't see but what me'n' you'll hef to go halves, and turn in together," said a voice at his other elbow. Mr. John Harmon looked up. A stranger, of tall figure, prominent cheek-bones, sallow complexion, dressed in a very new and very stiff suit of clothes, smiled upon him in a decidedly friendly manner. "There's jest one room, the landlord says'st we can hav' on a pinch," confined the speaker. "It's up pooty high, and an't a very sizable room, at that. I've got the furst offer on't, but I won't mind makin' a team'th you, if you're a mind to hitch on, and make the best on't. What d'ye say?" Mr. John Harmon said he supposed he would accept his new friend's proposal. But at the same time he hinted to the clerk at the desk that he was from the Hon. Mr. Ames' District. "If you were the President, himself, we could not do any better by you, under the circumstances," said the clerk. This assurance served to soothe John Harmon's injured feelings, and he retired to the room in the top of the house, with his new acquaintance. "Come down on Gov'ment business, I s'pose likely?" suggested the latter. "Yes," replied John Harmon, "on post-office business." "I want to know! Glad we fell in," cried the stranger. "I came down on some sich business myself." "Indeed!" said John Harmon. "You are going to call on the Post Master General, then?"