HOLT, Capt. FOX and the _Powhatan_ could save the country if Mr. SEWARD
would let them; otherwise he would make a minute of these deliberations,
and if his friend Mr. YOUNG (whom he was pleased to see present) didn't
expose it, he himself would put it in the shape of a lively sketch, and
send it to the magazines.

"Well--now," said Mr. LINCOLN, after patiently waiting, "this reminds me
of the man in Pomeroy, Ohio, who kept what he called an 'eating saloon.'
One morning, a tall hoosier came in and called for ham and eggs. 'Can't
giv 'em to ye, stranger,' said the proprietor, 'but what'll ye hav'
t'drink?--don't keep nothin' but a bar.' 'Yer don't? Then what'n thunder
yer got that sign out thar for?' for the fellow was a little mad. 'Why
yer see I call her a eating saloon, 'cos I reckon she eats up all the
profits."

This beautiful and appropriate anecdote, which seemed to throw a flood
of light upon the critical State question under consideration, pleased
every one except FLOYD, who swore it was ungenerous and unchivalric.
Hastily withdrawing, he threatened to telegraph it verbatim to the
insurgents; it would fire the Southern heart.

SEWARD said he was going home, as he had already sent the _Powhatan_ to
PICKENS.

Mr. LINCOLN yawned, and turning to me, inquired: "Well, SARSFIELD, you
see what a man's got to do to run this machine,--now what's your
advice?"

"Your Excellency," I replied, "there's a man in the tanning business at
Galena, in your State. Telegraph him at once. His name is GRANT, and if