He came over to Washington and his friends got him the restaurant privileges of the House of Representatives.

With this for a starting point, he was able to take the Fernando Wood residence, in the heart of the fashionable quarter, to add to it presently the adjoining dwelling of Governor Swann, of Maryland, and next to that, finally, the Blaine mansion, making a suite, as it were, elegant yet cozy.

"Welcker's," erst a fashionable resort, and long the best eating-place in town, had been ruined by a scandal, and "Chamberlin's" succeeded it, having the field to itself, though, mindful of the "scandal" which had made its opportunity, ladies were barred.
There was a famous cook--Emeline Simmons--a mulatto woman, who was equally at home in French dishes and Maryland-Virginia kitchen mysteries--a very wonder with canvasback and terrapin--who later refused a great money offer to he chef at the White House--whom John was able to secure.

Nothing could surpass--could equal--her preparations.

The charges, like the victuals, were sky-high and tip-top.