known tribunal, and consider this decision a fortunate one for the whole country."
Would the Southerners be allowed to enter?
Amid breathless silence the clerk rose to call the roll of members-elect. Every ear was bent to hear the name of the first Southern man. Not one was called! The master had spoken. His clerk knew how to play his part.
The next business of the House was to receive the message of the Chief Magistrate of the Nation.
The message came, but not from the White House. It came from the seat of the Great Commoner.
As the first thrill of excitement over the challenge to the President slowly subsided, Stoneman rose, planted his big club foot in the middle of the aisle, and delivered to Congress the word of its new master.
It was Ben's first view of the man of all the world just now of most interest. From his position he could see his full face and figure.
He began speaking in a careless, desultory way. His tone was loud yet not declamatory, at first in a grumbling, grandfatherly, half-humourous, querulous accent that riveted every ear instantly. A sort of drollery of a contagious kind haunted it. Here and there a member tittered in expectation of a flash of wit.
His figure was taller than the average, slightly bent with a dignity which suggested reserve power and contempt for his audience. One knew instinctively that back of the boldest word this man might say there was a bolder unspoken word he had chosen not to speak.
His limbs were long, and their movements slow, yet
