“She removed to New York with her husband, who now resides in that city, engaged in lucrative and respectable business.  A short time after, her second sister-not dreaming that the law would be so stringent as to class her with the lowest nigger, or even lay its painful bearings at her door; for the family were very high-minded, and would have considered themselves grossly insulted to have the opprobrious name of nigger applied to them-paid her a visit.  The public became acquainted with the fact, and to his surprise, Jones was informed by authority that upon no condition could she be allowed to return-that the law was imperative, and no consideration could be given to the circumstances, for such would be virtually destroying its validity, and furnishing a precedent that would be followed by innumerable cases.  In spite of all the remonstrances which Jones could set forth, and the influence of several friends of high standing, he was compelled to relinquish all hope of his daughter’s being allowed to return to the family.  The reasoning set forth had every plausibility; but such is our respect for the law, that we were compelled to forego our hospitality, and maintain it, even though the case was painful to our feelings.  Thus, you see, we maintain the point and spirit of the law above every thing else.

“But the end is not here!  A few years after this, Jones received a letter, that his daughter was very sick and not expected to live-accompanied with a desire to have the last soothing comfort of seeing her parents.  Jones being an affectionate man, and dotingly fond of his children, without regarding the former admonition, immediately prepared himself, and left in disguise for New York.  Mature consideration would have convinced him of the error of one so well known as himself trying to elude recognition.

“His son-in-law, Lee, a noble fellow, kept the house, and when Jones was inquired for, it was reported that he was confined to his room.  It would have been well if Jones had kept himself secluded in New York; but he was recognised by a Charlestonian, and, as such reports have uncommon wings, the news of it soon reached the authorities; when a mandate was issued accordingly, and Jones subjected to the fate of his daughter.  There are many painful circumstances connected with the affair, which, if well told, would make quite a romance,” said the Colonel, all of which the Captain listened to with profound attention.  “His family all moved to New York, and his affairs were put into the hands of attorneys here, for settlement, by his son-in-law, who continued the business for some years.”

“Of course he got his property restored to him?” interrupted the Captain.

“Most certainly, Captain!  The spirit of justice is coequal with that of honorable law, in South Carolina,” said George, anxious to relieve the Colonel of the answer.

“It is somewhat 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.