_Captain_.--'I take it on the testimony of this man, who has been robbed there.'
_Justice_.--'Yes, but you must have stronger testimony than that. The law says that it requires more than one act to constitute a disorderly place.'
_Captain_.--'I have policemen here to prove that it is disorderly.'
_Justice_.--'Allen, what do you say to this charge?'
_Allen_.--'Your Honor, during the past six weeks I have done no business. My house has been used all the time for prayer-meetings.'
_Justice_.---'What about the robbery of this man?'
_Allen_.--'I have nothing to say about it, for I was not at home last night. I know very well that the captain does not want to have me locked up. We have always been good friends, haven't we, captain?'
_Captain_.--'I have nothing to say about it.'
_Allen_.--'If no charge is made, I promise to have nothing to do with politics.'
_Justice_.--'Do you mean to say that politics had any thing to do with your arrest?'
_Allen_.--'I don't say anything at all about it, your Honor.'
_Justice_.--'Then why do you hint at it?'
_Allen_.--'I will promise not to interfere one way or the other, if I am allowed to go.'
The court loungers, who know something of the peculiar politics of the Fourth Ward, here laughed immoderately.
_Justice_.--'You go to the captain, and tell him all about it.'
_Allen_.--'I won't vote at all if I am let go. I always keep in with the police.' (Laughter.)
_Allen_.--'Only for the kindness of the police, I never could have kept my place so many years. They have always been my friends.' (Laughter.)
_Justice_.--'How long is it since you have had any prayer meetings in your house?'
_Justice_.--'You have got through with them, then, have you?'
_Allen_.--'Well, yes, they are not held in my house any more, but they do be held at Jim Miller's, next door, all the same.'
_Justice_.--'I believe those praying fellows are the most disorderly persons in Water street. Captain, if you would arrest them, some time, and charge them with disorderly conduct, I think you would be doing good service to the community, for their religious gatherings have been a farce.'
Margaret Ware was committed for trial, and John Allen was held on three hundred dollars bail to answer at the Special Sessions. Daniel Creedon, lodging-house keeper, who represents ten thousand dollars in real estate, became John Allen's bondsman. John says that Oliver Dyer caused his arrest and that the whole thing was a 'put up job.'