my own name was as good as any other on the present occasion.

"You are very obliging. Since you are so good, may I also trouble you
to procure me a line from a very remarkable personage of your
country--a very distinguished man--he has been President, or
Speaker of the Senate, or something of that sort."

To which of our head men did Miss Rowley allude?

"He is called Uncle Sam, I believe."

{Uncle Sam = "Uncle Sam" became a popular personification of the
United States during the War of 1812, replacing Brother Jonathan,
and was often used in contradistinction to the British "John Bull"}

This was not so easy a task, for though we have thousands of
colonels, there is but one Uncle Sam in the world. On hearing that
such was the case, Miss Rowley's anxiety on the subject increased
immeasurably; but I assured her the old gentleman only put his
name to treaties, and tariffs; and although his sons were wonderfully
gallant, yet he himself had never condescended to notice any woman
but a queen regnant: and I further endeavored to give some idea of
his identity. Miss Rowley stopped me short, however.

"Only procure me one line from him, Mr. Howard, and I shall be
indebted to you for life. It will be time enough to find out all about
him when I once have his name--that is the essential thing."

I shrunk from committing myself, however; declaring that I would as
soon engage to procure a billet-doux from Prester John.