CHAPTER XVIII. THE ORDINARY OF ALL NATIONS
Making my way with difficulty through the crowd which filled the hall of the house, and which consisted of purchasers, newsvenders, reporters, printers' devils, and others interested in the “Picayune,” all eagerly discussing the news of the day, I reached a small back office, where, having knocked timidly twice, I was desired to enter.
A man seated at a coarse deal table was cutting out paragraphs from various newspapers, which, as he threw them at either side of him, were eagerly caught up by two or three ragged urchins who were in waiting behind him. He looked up at me as I entered, and roughly asked what I wanted.
“I have seen an advertisement in your paper, headed, 'Expedition to Texas '———”
“Upstairs,—No. 3,—two-pair back,” said he, and went on with his labor.
I hesitated, hoping he might add something; but seeing that he had said all he intended or was likely to say, I slowly withdrew.
“Upstairs, then,—No. 3,—two-pair back,” said I to myself, and mounted, with the very vaguest notions of what business I had when I got there. There was no difficulty in finding the place; many others were hastening towards it at the same time; and, in company with some half-dozen very ill-favored and meanly clad fellows, I entered a large room, where about forty men were assembled, who stood in knots or groups, talking in low and confidential tones together.
“Is there a committee to-day?” asked one of those who came in with me.
“Business is over,” said another.
“And is the lottery drawn?”