ware the State deals largely in notwithstanding
it has become exceedingly cheap--it would be forthcoming at the
requisite time.

CHAPTER XII.

IN WHICH ARE MATTERS THE READER MAY HAVE ANTICIPATED.

Mr. Soloman Snivel has effected a reconciliation between old Judge
Sleepyhorn and the beautiful Anna Bonard, and he has flattered the
weak-minded George Mullholland into a belief that the old Judge, as he
styles him, is his very best friend. So matters go on swimmingly at the
house of Madame Flamingo. Indeed Mr. Soloman can make himself extremely
useful in any affair requiring the exercise of nice diplomatic skill--no
matter whether it be of love or law. He gets people into debt, and out
of debt; into bankruptcy and out of bankruptcy; into jail and out of
jail; into society and out of society. He has officiated in almost every
capacity but that of a sexton. If you want money, Mr. Soloman can always
arrange the little matter for you. If you have old negroes you want to
get off your hands at a low figure, he has a customer. If you want to
mortgage your negro property, a thing not uncommon with our very first
families, Mr. Soloman is your man. Are you worth a fee, and want legal
advice, he will give it exactly to your liking. Indeed, he will lie you
into the most hopeless suit, and with equal pertinacity lie you out of
the very best. Every judge is his friend and most intimate acquaintance.
He is always rollicking, frisking, and insinuating himself into
something, affects to be the most liberal sort of a companion, never
refuses to drink when invited, but never invites any one unless he has a
motive beyond friendship. Mr. Keepum, the wealthy lottery broker, who
lives over the way, in Broad street, in the house with the mysterious
signs, is his money-man. This Keepum, the man with the sharp visage and
guilty countenance, has an excellent standing in society, having got it
as the reward of killing two men. Neither of these deeds of heroism,
however, were the result of a duel. Between these worthies there exists
relations mutually profitable, if not the most honorable. And
notwithstanding Mr. Soloman is forever sounding Mr. Keepum's generosity,
the said Keepum has a singular faculty for holding with a firm grasp all
he gets, the extent of his charities being a small mite now and then to
Mr. Hadger, the very pious agent for the New York Presbyterian Tract
Society. Mr. Hadger, who by trading in things called negroes, and s