Claims To Be An Honest Man

An officer of the army describes to a Washington correspondent a visit he rnade the other day to the late secretary cif 'war : In reply to my card a subdued-looking domestic carne to me and told mo that Mr. Bel knap would see me in the rear parlor. The manuer of the servant was as lugubrious as an imdertaker when he says, " You will now take a last look at the deceased." I had to wait but a moment. I heard a faltering step upon the stairs; an uncertaiii tread in the hall; tlien the door opened slowly as the exsecretary entered. My god ! Words fail to express how this man has aged and suffered during the last few days. His flowing silky beard was knotted and tangled; his hair was unkempt; great black rings were under his eyes, and his sunken cheeks made up a pictufe of woe and despair that would have touched a heart of stone. 1 was so moved that I sprang f orwardwith a word of comfort. Begardless of truth, I said, "Mr. Secretary, I believe you to be an honest man." Belknap at this caught me by the hand and burst into tears. He was completcly unmanned. He choked and sobbed several moments, when he managed to stammer out, "I arn going to prove 'it to the people of this country that I am an honest man bef ore this business is over." The officer concludes his story by saying that Belknap said repeatedly that he had a much better defense than people supposed. He has, by the advice of counsel, kept it back until summoned for trial. Then he claims that ho will be able to make a showing that will créate a change in popular opinión in his favor. He was especially indignant at the presence of the poiicemen in his house. He disclaimed any in tention of running away, and passionately exclaimed that his former friends were trying to urge him to desperation by constant heaping up of indignities upon him.