I don't know about Cable's influence on Twain in regard to the convict-lease system, but if he spoke to him about it, it probably evoked childhood memories for Twain. Missouri had similar laws on the books for the sale or indenture of paupers (of any race) before 1860, though Conard says that communities seldom invoked the law (_Encyclopedia of the History of Missouri_ 1901). Perry McCandless also writes about the Missouri law and its practice in his 1972 _A History of Missouri_, but in contrast to Conard, he says the practice was common: "men were expected to support self and dependents, and failure to do so was considered a sign of moral or personal deficiency. It followed that the unemployed or vagrants were dealt with very harshly. Authorities frequently hired these men out for a period to time to work for the highest bidder or lashed them if no bids were received" (McCandless 222). Hope this helps. Sharon McCoy