140 MY UNCLE AND THE SHERIFF'S OFFICER. 



let them off, on their solemnly swearing to avoid such doings in 

 future. The oath was duly administered to them on an old copy 

 of the History of England; and they were allowed to depart. The 

 sheriff's officer congratulating himself, not only on his whole 

 skin, but stating he would make Charley More smart for all this. I 

 need not add that the sheriff's officer was glad, on learning how he 

 had been taken in, to drop all talk about legal proceedings ; and 

 very anxious to avoid the universal roar of laughter that always 

 greeted him on the mention of Charley More. 



Dinner time came ; all the guests assembled, the Col. among the 

 number, when the Col. began to relate to the company, the, (to him) 

 most extraordinary affair. My Uncle could scarce keep himself in 

 his chair for laughing. At last the Col. says — " Charley, what the 

 devil are you laughing at ? I believe you ve had some hand in this." 

 *' No," said my Uncle, " but I think I know who has ;" and imme^ 

 diately called for Jem, who made his appearance, and was desired 

 to relate his morning's proceedings, which he did in a quiet, sly, dry 

 way, that almost convulsed his auditors. Jem had a brimming glass 

 of hot grog given him ; and was desired always to keep a good look 

 out for sheriff's officers, and then allowed to leave the room. The 

 Col. much wanted my Uncle to part with Jern, that he might take 

 him into his own service ; but my Uncle would not hear of such £^ 

 proposition. 



