the law
was repealed as soon as it had done its duty. That is a much darker spot
in our history than what is called repudiation, though perfectly honest
men voted for it."

"Did you ever hear of a farce they got up about it at New York, just
after we sailed?"

"Never; what was it, Hugh? though American plays are pretty much all
farces."

"This was a little better than common, and, on the whole, really clever.
It is the old story of Faust, in which a young spendthrift sells
himself, soul and body, to the devil. On a certain evening, as he is
making merry with a set of wild companions, his creditor arrives, and,
insisting on seeing the master, is admitted by the servant. He comes on,
club-footed and behorned, as usual, and betailed, too, I believe; but
Tom is not to be scared by trifles. He insists on his guest's being
seated, on his taking a glass of wine, and then on Dick's finishing his
song. But, though the rest of the company had signed no bonds to Satan,
they had certain outstanding book-debts, which made them excessively
uncomfortable; and the odour of brimstone being rather strong, Tom
arose, approached his guest, and desired to know the nature of the
particular business he had mentioned to his servant. 'This bond, sir,'
said Satan, significantly. 'This bond? what of it, pray? It seems all
right.' 'Is not that your signature?' 'I admit it.' 'Signed in your
blood?' 'A conceit of your own; I told you at the time that ink was just
as good in law.' 'It is past due, seven minutes and fourteen seconds.'
'So it is, I declare! but what of that?' 'I demand payment.' 'Nonsense!
no one thinks of paying now-a-days. Why, even Pennsylvania and Maryland
don't pay.' 'I insist on payment.' 'Oh! you do, do you?' Tom draws a
paper from his pocket, and adds, magnificently, 'There, then, if you're
so urgent--there is a discharge under the new bankrupt law, signed Smith
Thompson.' This knocked the devil into a cocked-hat at once."

My uncle laughed heartily at my story; but, instead of taking the matter
as I had fancied he might, it made him think better of the country than
ever.

"Well, Hugh, we have wit among us, it must be confessed," he cried, with
the tears running down his cheeks, "if we have some rascally laws, and
some rascals to administer them. But here comes Jacob with his letters
and papers--I declare, the fellow has a large basket-full."

Jacob, a highly respectable black, and the great-grandson of an old
negro nam