s of that fellow.
But, viewing it in either a judicial or philosophical light, he's quite
as well where he is. They don't give them much to eat in jail I admit,
but it is a great place for straightening the morals of a rum-head like
Tom. And he has got down so low that all the justices in the city
couldn't make him fit for respectable society." Mr. Snivel yawns and
stretches his arms athwart.

"But you can grant me the order independent of what respectable society
will do."

Mr. Snivel replies, bowing, a pretty woman is more than a match for the
whole judiciary. He will make a good amount of fees out of Tom yet; and
what his testy old mother declines to pay, he will charge to the State,
as the law gives him a right to do.

"Then I am to understand!" quickly retorts Anna, rising from her chair,
with an expression of contempt on her countenance, and a satirical curl
on her lip, "you have no true regard for me then; your friendship is
that of the knave, who has nothing to give after his ends are served. I
will leave you!" The Judge takes her gently by the arm; indignantly she
pushes him from her, as her great black eyes flash with passion, and she
seeks for the door. Mr. Snivel has placed himself against it, begs she
will be calm. "Why," he says, "get into a passion at that which was but
a joke." The Judge touches him on the arm significantly, and whispers
in his ear, "grant her the order--grant it, for peace sake, Justice
Snivel."

"Now, if you will tell me why you take so deep an interest in getting
them fellows out of prison, I will grant the order of release," Mr.
Snivel says, and with an air of great gallantry leads her back to her
chair.

"None but friendship for one who served me when he had it in his power."

"I see! I see!" interrupts our gallant justice; "the renewal of an old
acquaintance; you are to play the part of Don Quixote,--he, the
mistress. It's well enough there should be a change in the knights, and
that the stripling who goes about in the garb of the clergy, and has
been puzzling his wits how to get Tom out of prison for the last six
months--"

"Your trades never agree;" parenthesises Anna.

"Should yield the lance to you."

"Who better able to wield it in this chivalrous atmosphere? It only
pains my own feelings to confess myself an abandoned woman; but I have a
consolation in knowing how powerful an abandoned woman may be in
Charleston."

An admonition from the old Judge, and Mr. Snive