A QUIET BYE 



'ounds, in fact?' of a labourer scouring a fence- 

 gutter. * Don't you 'ear me, man?' bellowed he, 

 as the countryman stood staring with his hand on 

 his spade. 



1 1 be dull of hearin', sir,' at length drawled the 

 man, advancing very slowly towards our master 

 with his hand up to his ear. 



* Oh, dear ! oh, dear ! ' exclaimed Mr. Jorrocks, 

 starting off again, 'was there ever sich a mis- 

 fortinate indiwidual as John Jorrocks ? ' 'Ark ! 

 vot's that? Pigg's 'orn! Oh, dear, only a cow! 

 Come hup, 'oss, I say, you hugly beast! there 

 surely never was sich a worthless beast lapped in 

 leather as you,' giving Arterxerxes a good double 

 thonging as he spoke. ' Oh, dear ! oh, dear ! ' con- 

 tinued he, ' I wish I was well back at the Cross, 

 with my 'ounds safe i' kennel. Yot a go is this ! 

 Dinner at five baked haddocks, prime piece of 

 fore chine, Portingal honions, and fried plum- 

 puddin'; and now, by these darkenin' clouds, it 

 must be near four, and here I be's, miles and miles 

 away 'ounds still runnin', and adwertised for the 



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