standing the character of the pretext upon
which it is demanded is patent on its face. Such is but a feeble
description of one of the many laws South Carolina retains on her
statute book to oppress the poor and give power to the rich. If we would
but purge ourselves of this distemper of chivalry and secession, that so
blinds our eyes to the sufferings of the poor, while driving our
politicians mad over the country (we verily believe them all coming to
the gallows or insane hospital), how much higher and nobler would be our
claim to the respect of the world!

Again the old man is separated from his daughter, placed in the hands of
a bailiff, and remanded back to prison, there to hope, fear, and while
away the time, waiting six, perhaps eight months, for the sitting of the
Court of Appeals. The "Appeal Court," you must know, would seem to have
inherited the aristocracy of our ancestors, for, having a great aversion
to business pursuits, it sits at very long intervals, and gets through
very little business.

When the news of her father's remand reaches Maria, it overwhelms her
with grief. Varied are her thoughts of how she shall provide for the
future; dark and sad are the pictures of trouble that rise up before
her. Look whichever way she will, her ruin seems sealed. The health of
her aged father is fast breaking--her own is gradually declining under
the pressure of her troubles. Rapidly forced from one extreme to
another, she appeals to a few acquaintances who have expressed
friendship for her father; but their friendship took wings when grim
poverty looked in. Southern hospitality, though bountifully bestowed
upon the rich, rarely condescends to shed its bright rays over the needy
poor.

Maria advertises for a situation, in some of our first families, as
private seamstress. Our first families having slaves for such offices,
have no need of "poor white trash." She applies personally to several
ladies of "eminent standing," and who busy themselves in getting up
donations for northern Tract Societies. They have no sympathy to waste
upon her. Her appeal only enlists coldness and indifference. The "Church
Home" had lent an ear to her story, but that her address is very
unsatisfactory, and it is got out that she is living a very suspicious
life. The "Church Home," so virtuous and pious, can do nothing for her
until she improves her mode of living. Necessity pinches Maria at every
turn. "To be poor in a slave atmosphere, is