crifice almost, rather than go to jail. The enormous "costs" went
into the capacious pocket of the Alderman; and this dignitary, as a
natural sequence, "waxed fat" and saucy, exemplifying the truth of the
adage "Put a beggar on horseback," etc.

As the Alderman grew rich, he became overbearing, headstrong, and
dictatorial. He began to fancy that he monopolized the concentrated
wisdom of his party, and that his word should be law. Not a party-caucus
or a political meeting could be held without witnessing the vulgar and
profane harangues of the self-conceited Alderman, Tom Simmons. As he was
one of the "ring," his fingers were in all the "pickings and stealings;"
he kept his family-coach, and in his general swagger exhibited all the
peculiarities of "high life below stairs."

But after Tom had disgraced his office for two years, a State election
took place and the other party were successful. Among the first laws
which they passed after the convening of the Legislature, was one
declaring that from that date imprisonment for debt should not be
permitted in the State of Pennsylvania for any sum less than ten
dollars.

This enactment, of course, knocked away the chief prop which sustained
the Alderman, and when the news of its passage reached Philadelphia, Tom
was the most indignant man that had been seen there for some years.

Standing in front of his office the next morning, surrounded by several
of his political chums, Tom exclaimed:

"Do you see what them infernal tories have done down there at
Harrisburg? They have been and passed an outrageous, oppressive,
barbarous, and unconstitutional law! A pretty idea, indeed, if a man
can't put a debtor in jail for a less sum than ten dollars! How am I
going to support my family, I should like to know, if this law is
allowed to stand? I tell you, gentlemen, this law is unconstitutional,
and you will see blood running in our streets, if them tory scoundrels
try to carry it out!"

His friends laughed, for they saw that Tom was reasoning from his pocket
instead of his head; and, as he almost foamed at the mouth in his
impotent wrath they could not suppress a smile.

"Oh, you may laugh, gentlemen--you may laugh; but you will see it. Our
party will never disgrace itself a permitting the tories to rob them of
their rights by passing unconstitutional laws; and I say, the sooner we
come to blood, the better!"

At this moment, a gentleman stepped up, and addressing the Alderman,