Justice in the By-Ways A Tale of Life

ge to describe; of the waltz of death, in which he danced at the mansion of Madame Flamingo; and of his mother, (a name ever dear in his thoughts,) who banished him to this region of vice, for

an, as he is plumed by the prisoners, whom he daily visits in his mission of good. There was something so frank and gentle in this young man's demeanor-something so manly and radiant in his countenance-something so disinterested and holy in his mission of love-something so opposite to the coldness of the great world without-something so serene and elevated in his youth, that even the

and turned towards him his distorted face, viewing with wild stare each object that met his sight, the young ma

perhaps, ha

h; it isn't as it should b

here is a chance for you yet; and there is a chance; and you mu

by saying, "I

royer. Never think you are friendless, for then you ar

all. You'll excuse me, but I didn't think of that;" and a feeling of satisfaction seemed to have come over him. "How grateful to have friends when a b

u have friends, Tom. One all-important t

begrimed hand on his burning forehead, while he alterna

s, Tom-doubts

bad as I seem, and 'll forgive me? I know what you think of me, and that's w

our mother, and forgive her sending you here; and third, cut the house of Madame Flamingo, in which our chivalry are sure to get a shattering. To be honest in temptation, Tom, is one of the noblest attributes of o

ting between what he conceived an imperative de

r-I know you yet retain the latent spark-

gh, by the way of blowing of

u any discretionary indulg

y saying, "My mo

your behalf; and if she have a mother's

ng his mother; she's all dignity, and won't let it up an inch. "I

ion to reform, Tom; and if I do not draw from your mother

wn until I get over this bit of a fog I'm now in." With child-like simplicity, Tom gives his hand to the young man, who,

of this day, who, one by one, die off with the very pardonable and very harmless belief that the world never can get along without the aid of South Carolina, it being the parthenon from which the outside world gets all its greatness. Her leading and very warlike newspapers, (the people of these United States ought to know, if they do not already

h the State has gained for itself an unenviable reputation. Jutting out of the black, moss-vegetating roof, is an old-maidish looking window, with a dowdy white curtain spitefully tucked up at the side. The mischievous young negroes have pecked half the bricks out of the foundation, and with them made curious grottoes on the pavement. Disordered and unpainted clapboards spread over the dingy front, which is set off with two upper and two lower windows, all blockaded with infirm, green shutters. Then there is a snuffy door, high and narrow (like the State's notion

e deportment, looking as savage as lion can well do in this chivalrous atmosphere, looks admonitiously at him. "Well!" he sighs as he raises it, "there's no knowing what sort of a reception I may get." He has raised the monster's head and given three gentle taps. Suddenly a frisking and whispering, shutting of doors

inal color of which it would be difficult to discover. A listen carpet, much faded and patched, spreads over the floor, the walls are hung with several small engravings, much valued for their age and associations, but so crooked as to give one the idea of the house having withstood a storm at sea; and the furniture is made up of a few venerable mahogany chairs, a small side-table, on which stands, much disordered, several well-worn books and

d what do you want? Yo

p, squeaking voic

to sit down, takes nervously a seat at the side

got into the wrong house!" Mrs. Swiggs shake

midway of which is adjusted a pair of broad, brass-framed spectacles; a sunken, purse-drawn mouth, with two discolored teeth protruding from her upper lip; a high, narrow forehead, resembling somewhat crumpled parchment; a dash of dry, brown hair relieving the ponderous border of her steeple-crowned cap, which she seems to have thrown on her head in a hurry; a moth-eaten, red shawl thrown spitefully over

ocking, lays her right hand on the table, rests her left on her Milt

no lette

without letters-never!"

u see,

s, adjusting her spectacles, and scanning him anxiously from hea

please, Madam, that my missi

this sort of an introduction. Any of our first families could have told you about me. You must go your

Madam interposes by saying, every muscle of her frigid face unmoved the while, she is glad he know

erland Swiggs, my ancestor? Ah! he was such a Baron, and owned such estates in the days of Elizabeth. But you should have brought a letter, you

e-painted mantelpiece. "He was very distinguished in his time; and such an excellent Christian." She shakes her head and wipes the

ble mention of Sir Sunderland'

with a penetrating eye, conscious that he has touched a

reat learning and much aforethought, to ransack heraldry court and trace out their families. Well, he went, lived very expensively, spent several years abroad, and being very clever in his way, returned, bringing them all pedigrees of the very best kind. With only two exceptions, he traced them all down into noble blood. These two, the cunning fellow had it, came of martyrs. And to have come of the blood of martyrs, when all the others, as was shown, came

e old woman's display of weakness, inasmuch as it

ou besides love?" she inquires, adding a

me to in

no you needn't! I've nothing to interced

lf of yo

new it. Never saw one of your black-coated flock about that there wa

m, among criminals, and subject

here he shall rot, for all me. Now, go your way, young man; and read your Bible at home, and ke

Christian's hand to your son. I may replace

vating, young man.

oli

is proud of the State that can

spectacles, as she twitches her chin, and increases the velo

appy to see and appreciate your patriotism;

he is! He never shall disgrace the family again. Think of Sir Sunderland Swiggs, and then think of him, and see what a pretty level the family has come to

le on his countenance. "I have no doubt I can work your

and permits herself to get into a state of general excitement. "I should like t

nce, Madam, a great deal may b

Bible." And with this the old lady calls Rebecca, the decrepit slave who opened the door, and directs

or a few moments, but, having no

eatly-combed Saxon hair and beard, and who taps the old negress under the chin playfully, as she says, "Missus will be right glad to see you,