16 SCAMPS. 



it was once full of the most valuable ar- 

 ticles, adding: 



" I have at this moment the life of my 

 husband in my hands, for he purloined 

 this from the coach he once drove, and 

 disposed of its contents." 



I did not stop to enquire whether she 

 partook of the benefits arising from such a 

 criminal act, but failed not to discover, 

 as she gave me her history, intermingled 

 as it was with tears, that her hatred of the 

 vile means by which he supported his ex- 

 travagance and otherwise profligate conduct 

 caused her to separate from him, and to 

 seek to obtain her own living. 



Although I listened to her story with 

 painful attention, and commiserated the 

 poor woman's unhappy and as it seemed 

 irreparable condition, my greater annoy- 

 ance arose from my lot being cast with a 

 fraternity where such men as the one she 

 had been speaking of and Monops were 

 looked upon as its principal ornaments. 



