ewhat difficult to settle a man's business by legal process
when the principal is not present. The law's delay and lawyers' spoils
make time hallowed and costly," said the Captain.

"You're right there, Captain," said the Colonel; "and I doubt-to speak
honestly-whether Jones ever got much of his property. There's a good
many stories told, and a great deal of mystery about it that's got to be
explained to my mind. But you're a stranger, Captain, and it would
not be interesting to the feelings of a Scotchman. I may give you the
details more minutely at some future day."

"Why, Colonel!" said George, "you should be considerate in your
statements. Remember the immense difficulty that has attended Jones's
affairs-they're not all settled yet."

"True, George; and I'm afraid they never will be;--but there are
some very singular appearances connected with it. I mean no personal
disrespect toward those cousins of yours who have figured in the case.
'Tis bad to call names, but there is a mystery about a certain member of
our profession getting rich, when poor Jones declares he's got nothing,
and Lee has had to give up the house,--I don't say what for." * * *

"Yes, strange things must be kept strangely secret in some parts of the
world, and only whispered when there's no wind," said the Captain.

"But that's the only case, Captain," said George; "and the Colonel
was indiscreet in recounting it; for from that you may conceive wrong
impressions of the best institutions and laws in the world. Jones was an
old fool, led away by his nigger-like affections for them gals of his.
He never knew when he was well off, and always wanted to be with white
folk when he was here. 'Twould been a great deal better if he'd let
them youngest gals gone with Pingree and Allston. They'd have made the
tip-top mistresses--been kept like ladies, and not been bothered,
and brought all this trouble upon their heads through these infernal
abolitionists. I really believe the old fool thought some white man
would marry them at one time."

"What harm would there've been in that, providing they're as white as
anybody, and got plenty of money, and were handsome? There must be a
singular sensibility, that I don't understand, exerting itself in your
society," said the Captain laconically.

"Harm! You'd find out the harm. Just live in South Carolina a year or
two. 'Tisn't the fair complexion-we don't dispute that-but it's the
blood."

"Oh! then the legal ob