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seized her by the arm, and said she should not go. The mayor was little acquainted with legal forms, beyond the usual routine of city business.
He seemed much surprised, and inquired what the writ was.
‘It is a homine replegiando,’ replied Friend Hopper.
‘I don't understand what that means,’ said the mayor.
‘It is none the less powerful on that account,’ rejoined Friend Hopper.
‘It has taken the woman out of thy power, and delivered her to another tribunal.’
During this conversation, the mistress kept her grasp upon Mary.
Friend Hopper appealed to the mayor, again repeating that the girl was now to await the decision of another court.
He accordingly told Mrs. Sears it was necessary to let her go. She asked what was to be done in such a case.
The mayor, completely puzzled, and somewhat vexed, replied impatiently, ‘I don't know.
You must ask Mr. Hopper.
His laws are above mine.
I thought I knew something about the business; but it seems I don't.’
Mary went home with her protector, and Mrs. Sears employed Alexander J. Dallas as counsel.
The case was kept pending in the Supreme Court a long time; for no man understood better than Friend Hopper how to multiply difficulties.
Mrs. Sears frequently
Boston, J. P. Jewett and Company; Cleveland, Ohio: Jewett, Proctor and Worthington; London; Low and Company, 1854.
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