a bit of something in your way of business this morning.”  The honest functionary, with seeming surprise, again touching his hat as he approached the vehicle, replied:  “Your servant, sir!” Blowers motioned his hand to the woman, whose tears were now, to Broadman’s surprise, seen coursing down her pale cheeks.  To use a vulgar phrase, Broadman was entirely “taken aback” by the singularity of Blowers’ manner; for the woman, whose dress and deportment the honest man conceived to be nothing less than that of a lady of one of the “first families,” obeying the motion, began to descend from the carriage.  “Now, Broadman,” continued Blowers, arranging his reins, and with clumsy air making his descent over the fore wheels, “take that ‘ar wench o’ mine, and, by the State’s custom, give her the extent of the law, well laid on.”

The author here writes the incident as given by the prison-keeper.  The man hesitated, as if doubting his senses; rather would he have been courteous to what he still viewed as a lady, than extend his rude hand to lead her away.

“Pardon me, Sir! but you cannot mean what you say,” nervously spoke the man, as in doubt he exchanged glances first with the fair woman and then with Blowers.  “I means just what I says,” returned that gentleman, peremptorily; “you’ze hearn o’ that ’un afore.  She’s a nigger o’ mine, what runned away more nor six years ago; come, do the job for her, and no fussing over’t.”  “Nigger!” interrupted the man, in surprise.  “Yes!” rejoined Blowers, emphasising his assurance with oaths, of which he had a never-failing supply, “that’s the cussed white nigger what’s gin me all the bother.  The whiter niggers is, the more devil’s in em; and that ar’ one’s got devil enough for a whole plantation; ’tisn’t the licks I cares about, but it’s the humblin’ on her feelings by being punished in the workhouse!” The man of duty was now brought to his senses, when, seeing Blowers was inclined to relieve his anger on what he was pleased to consider the stupidity of a keeper, he took the weeping but resolute woman by the arm, and called a negro attendant, into whose charge he handed her, with an order to “put her in the slings.”  Soon she disappeared within the gate, following the mulatto man.  And here we will again spare the reader’s feelings, by omitting much that followed.  Blowers and Broadman follow the hapless woman, as she proceeds through a narrow passage leading to the punishment room, and when about half way to that place of torture, a small, square door opens on the right, into a dingy office, the keeper says is where he keeps his accounts with the State, which derives a large revenue from the punishments.  Into this does the worthy man invite his patron, whom he would have be seated while the criminal is got “all right” in the slings.  Fain would Blowers go and attend the business himself; but Broadman saying “that cannot be,” he draws from his pocket a small flask, and, seemingly contented, invites him to join in “somethin”