F. Colburn (Francis Colburn) Adams
Chapter 49
again."
"As safe as he ever was, I warrant ye!" Mrs. Swiggs replies,
resuming her Milton and rocking-chair.
"Upon my faith I agree with you. Never let him get out, for he is
sure to disgrace the family when he does--"
"I've said he shall rot there, and he shall rot! He never shall get
out to disgrace the family--no, not if I live to be as gray as
Methuselah, I warrant you!" And Mr. Soloman, having made his
compliments to the sixth glass, draws from his breast pocket a
legal-looking paper, which he passes to Mrs. Swiggs, as she
ejaculates, "Oh! I am glad you thought of that."
Mr. Soloman, watching intently the changes of her face, says, "You
will observe, Madam, I have mentioned the cripples. There are five
of them. We are good friends, you see; and it is always better to be
precise in those things. It preserves friendship. This is merely a
bit of a good turn I do for you." Mr. Soloman bows, makes an
approving motion with his hands, and lays at her disposal on the
table, a small roll of bills. "You will find two hundred dollars
there," he adds, modulating his voice. You will find it all right; I
got it for you of Keepum. We do a little in that way; he is very
exact, you see--"
"Honor is the best security between people of our standing," she
rejoins, taking up a pen and signing the instrument, which her guest
deposits snugly in his pocket, and takes his departure for the house
of Madame Flamingo.
CHAPTER VI.
CONTAINING SUNDRY MATTERS APPERTAINING TO THIS HISTORY.
IF, generous reader, you had lived in Charleston, we would take it
for granted that you need no further enlightening on any of our very
select societies, especially the St. Cecilia; but you may not have
enjoyed a residence so distinguished, rendering unnecessary a few
explanatory remarks. You must know that we not only esteem ourselves
the quintessence of refinement, as we have an undisputed right to
do, but regard the world outside as exceedingly stupid in not
knowing as much of us as we profess to know of ourselves. Abroad, we