It occurred to me as we passed up Pennsylvania avenue, that I had forgotten to deliver a message of some importance to my employers, when I called to announce my arrival, and I turned a little out of my way to the office of the N---- I----, where, while I was closeted for a few moments with one of the editors, my juvenile guide remained in the clerk's office. On leaving the office, I was surprised at the altered tone of the lad. "You had better go back," said the manakin: "it is too late to get lodgings to-night. My mother can keep you as well as not." "But she has refused to do so, and insists that it is out of her power." "Never mind that. Go back with me--I'll work the old woman over. See if I don't tell you the truth." "You are a promising lad," said I, "but a little too forward. Let us go on." Finding me determined to prosecute the search, he yielded, and we called at several houses; but all were full. Against my will, I was forced to return, with the resolution of making good my quarters for the night, at any rate, with or without the consent of the lady of the house. My guide assured me that he could "manage the old woman," and told me to give myself no uneasiness on the subject. After a dreary walk, we reached the house. There sat my wife with her bonnet still on, for no one had asked her to remove it--and there sat the lady in the brimstone turban, and fiery ribbons, in whose ugly visage the words "_turn out_" seemed written, in characters not to be mistaken. As we entered, the boy motioned his mother, who joined him at the door, where they held a whispering colloquy for a few moments. While they were thus engaged, I learned from my wife that there had been no change in the sentence of exclusion, altho' no new lodgers had made their appearance. The whispering ceased, and the landlady approached me. What was my astonishment at perceiving that the gorgon face, before so hideous with frowns, was puckered into the queerest attempt at a smile that was ever before witnessed on the human countenance. But this was not all. Not only did her face exhibit these convulsive efforts, but the form approached us, curtseying with a most unhappy imitation of grace. The devil is in the hag--said I internally. What new trick is to be played now? I was not long in suspense. The boy had kept his promise it seemed, for he or some one else, actually had "worked the old woman over." She affirmed that she had just received messages from the three _members_, stating that they were not in haste for the rooms--and she assured us they were entirely at our service. We knew that this was a fiction; but we were fatigued, and disposed to take the good the Gods provided for us, without much question. We were shewn to our apartments and slept soundly, forgetting all the vexations of the day.