question,"
said the other, with a sneer--"but you'll have to pay the turnpike for
all that."

"You speak confidently on this point; but, if I am to pay this turnpike,
at least, I may be permitted to know who is its proprietor."

"To be sure you may. I am always well pleased to satisfy the doubts and
curiosity of young travellers who go abroad for information. I take you
to be one of this class."

"Confine yourself, if you please, to the matter in hand--I grow weary of
this chat," said the youth with a haughty inclination, that seemed to
have its effect even upon him with whom he spoke.

"Your question is quickly answered. You have heard of the Pony
Club--have you not?"

"I must confess my utter ignorance of such an institution. I have never
heard even the name before."

"You have not--then really it is high time to begin the work of
enlightenment. You must know, then, that the Pony Club is the proprietor
of everything and everybody, throughout the nation, and in and about
this section. It is the king, without let or limitation of powers, for
sixty miles around. Scarce a man in Georgia but pays in some sort to its
support--and judge and jury alike contribute to its treasuries. Few
dispute its authority, as you will have reason to discover, without
suffering condign and certain punishment; and, unlike the tributaries
and agents of other powers, its servitors, like myself, invested with
jurisdiction over certain parts and interests, sleep not in the
performance of our duties; but, day and night, obey its dictates, and
perform the various, always laborious, and sometimes dangerous functions
which it imposes upon us. It finds us in men, in money, in horses. It
assesses the Cherokees, and they yield a tithe, and sometimes a greater
proportion of their ponies, in obedience to its requisitions. Hence,
indeed, the name of the club. It relieves young travellers, like
yourself, of their small change--their sixpences; and when they happen
to have a good patent lever, such a one as a smart young gentleman like
yourself is very apt to carry about him, it is not scrupulous, but helps
them of that too, merely by way of _pas-time_."

And the ruffian chuckled in a half-covert manner at his own pun.

"Truly, a well-conceived sort of sovereignty, and doubtless sufficiently
well served, if I may infer from the representative before me. You must
do a large business in this way, most worthy sir."

"Why, that we do, and your remark