utiful
and ill-fated Theodosia Burr.

In answer to an inquiry of my host, the new-comer explained that he had
left Colonel J----'s (the plantation toward which I was journeying),
shortly before noon, and being overtaken by the storm after leaving
Conwayboro, had, at the solicitation of his "boys" (a familiar term for
slaves), who were afraid to proceed, called to ask shelter for the
night.

Shortly after his entrance, the lady members of the family retired; and
then the "Colonel," the "Captain," and myself, drawing our chairs near
the fire, and each lighting a fragrant Havana, placed on the table by
our host, fell into a long conversation, of which the following was a
part:

"It must have been urgent business, Colonel, that took you so far into
the woods at this season," remarked our host.

"These are urgent times, Captain B----," replied the guest. "All who
have any thing at stake, should be _doing_."

"These _are_ unhappy times, truly," said my friend; "has any thing new
occurred?"

"Nothing of moment, sir; but we are satisfied Buchanan is playing us
false, and are preparing for the worst."

"I should be sorry to know that a President of the United States had
resorted to underhand measures! Has he really given you pledges?"

"He promised to preserve the _statu quo_ in Charleston harbor, and we
have direct information that he intends to send out reinforcements,"
rejoined Colonel A----.

"Can that be true? You know, Colonel, I never admired your friend, Mr.
Buchanan, but I cannot see how, if he does his duty, he can avoid
enforcing the laws in Charleston, as well as in the other cities of the
Union."

"The 'Union,' sir, does not exist. Buchanan has now no more right to
quarter a soldier in South Carolina than I have to march an armed force
on to Boston Common. If he persists in keeping troops near Charleston,
we shall dislodge them."

"But that would make war! and war, Colonel," replied our host, "would be
a terrible thing. Do you realize what it would bring upon us? And what
could our little State do in a conflict with nearly thirty millions?"

"We should not fight with thirty millions. The other Cotton States are
with us, and the leaders in the Border States are pledged to Secession.
They will wheel into line when we give the word. But the North will not
fight. The Democratic party sympathizes with us, and some of its
influential leaders are pledged to our side. They will sow division
there, and paral