be looked upon in the light of protection rather than alienation, for it is made to protect property and society.  Yet where a case is attended with such circumstances as that of Jones’s, some disposition to accommodate might have been evinced without endangering the State’s sovereignty.  And I must also differ with you, George, so far as the girls maintained their self-respect.  It was commendable in them to get husbands whom they could live with in the bonds of matrimony.  My word for it, George, though I am a Southerner, and may give rein to improprieties at times, nothing can be more pernicious to our society than this destructive system of our first people in keeping mistresses.  It’s a source of misery at best, depending upon expediency instead of obligation, and results in bringing forth children and heirs with an entailed burden upon their lives, to be disowned, cast off from paternal rights, and left to the tender mercies of the law.  We see the curse, yet countenance it-and while it devours domestic affections and has cankered the core of social obligations, we look upon it as a flowery garden as we pass by the wayside..  There may be but a shadow between the rightful heir and the doubtful son-the former may enjoy the bounty of his inheritance, but the latter is doomed to know not his sire nor his kinsman, but to suffer the doubts and fears and the dark gloom which broods over a bondman’s life.”

“By-je-w-hu!  Colonel, what in scissors are you preaching about.  You must a’ got a pull too much at Bakers’s.  You’re giving vent to real abolition sentiments.  Exercise your knowledge of the provision that is made for such children.  The Captain will certainly draw incorrect notions about us,” said George, with anxiety pictured on his countenance.  He knew the Colonel’s free, open, and frank manner of expressing himself, and feared lest the famous name of the chivalry should suffer from his unconscious disclosures.

“Provisions!  George, you know my feelings concerning that vice which is so universally practised in our community.  If you know of any provision, it’s more than I do.  Perhaps you are older and have had more experience.  ’Tis the want of such a provision that is just destroying our institution of slavery!”

At this juncture the Captain interrupted them, and begging that the Colonel would finish the story about Jones, said he had a few questions to ask them after it was through.

“Well,” said the Colonel, “Jones died, I believe; but his family are as industrious as ever, and have made money enough to live comfortable; but the scamps have turned out perfect helpmates of the abolitionists, and make their intelligence figure at the bottom of many an escape.  But Lee’s case is as hard as Jones’s.  His son went to New York to see his grandfather, and was debarred by the same statute of limitations.  Lee, however, was a very capable fellow, and after trying for two years, and finding it would be impossible to return