Marston, yet in gaol, stubbornly refuses to take the benefit of the act,—­commonly called the poor debtor’s act.  He has a faithful friend in Daddy Bob, who has kept his ownership concealed, and, with the assistance of Franconia, still relieves his necessities.  Rumour, however, strongly whispers that Colonel M’Carstrow is fast gambling away his property, keeping the worst of company, and leading the life of a debauchee,—­which sorely grieves his noble-hearted wife.  In fact, Mrs. Templeton, who is chief gossip-monger of the city, declares that he is more than ruined, and that his once beautiful wife must seek support at something.

An honest jury of twelve free and enlightened citizens, before the honourable court of Sessions, have declared Romescos honourably acquitted of the charge of murder, the fatal blow being given in commendable self-defence.

The reader will remember that in a former chapter we left the stolen clergyman (no thanks to his white face and whiter necked brethren of the profession), on the banks of the Mississippi, where, having purchased his time of his owner, he is not only a very profitable investment to that gentleman, but of great service on the neighbouring plantations.  Earnest in doing good for his fellow bondmen, his efforts have enlisted for him the sympathy of a generous-hearted young lady, the daughter of a neighbouring planter.  Many times had he recounted Mrs. Rosebrook’s friendship for him to her, and by its influence succeeded in opening the desired communication.  Mrs. Rosebrook had received and promptly answered all his fair friend’s letters:  the answers contained good news for Harry; she knew him well, and would at once set about inducing her husband to purchase him.  But here again his profession interposed a difficulty, inasmuch as its enhancing the value of the property to so great an extent would make his master reluctant to part with him.  However, as nothing could be more expressive of domestic attachment than the manner in which the Rosebrooks studied each other’s feelings for the purpose of giving a more complete happiness, our good lady had but to make known her wish, and the deacon stood ready to execute it.  In the present case he was but too glad of the opportunity of gratifying her feelings, having had the purchase of a clergyman in contemplation for some months back.  He sought Harry out, and, after bartering (the planter setting forth what a deal of money he had made by his clergyman) succeeded in purchasing him for fourteen hundred dollars, the gentleman producing legalised papers of his purchase, and giving the same.  As for his running away, there is no evidence to prove that; nor will Harry’s pious word be taken in law to disclose the kidnapping.  M’Fadden is dead,—­his estate has long since been administered upon; Romescos murdered the proof, and swept away the dangerous contingency.