140 ikinos oX tbe 1buntinG*3fieIb 



prided himself on some things, and was pleased with ad- 

 miration, especially as regarded his personal prowess. 

 One of the old tenants on the estate at Annesley had 

 notice to quit his farm on account of its bad culture. 

 The man, Houghton by name, not liking under the cir- 

 cumstances to face the squire, requested his brother to 

 petition for leave to continue on the land ; the brother 

 replied with much confidence that he was " up to making 

 it all right with the squire." Under this opinion, he 

 proceeded to Annesley, and requested an interview ; but 

 Musters refused to grant it. In about three weeks' 

 time, Houghton went again, when, on being perceived 

 from the window, the squire refused to let him in, swore 

 at him, and told him to be off about his business. 

 Nothing daunted, Houghton in about a week's time 

 returned to the charge, and when he called, a servant 

 came and ordered him up into the squire's presence. It 

 was with some expectation of being thrashed and then 

 kicked downstairs that Houghton now came into the 

 room ; but, resolving to get in the first word, on what he 

 knew to be the squire's weak point, instead of at once 

 blurting out the real matter in hand, he exclaimed before 

 he was well inside the door, " Please'y, squire, my son 

 and I have had a bet loike about them sugar-casks. 

 What was the depth and soize loike of they casks as y' 

 jumped in and out of in our market-place ? " 



' The hit told, and instead of rough words or a kick 

 downstairs, brandy and water was immediately ordered 

 to be brought to refresh the crafty politician. At the close 

 of the conversation the squire added : " Well, I suppose 

 that idle rascally brother of )'ours must stay on his farm ; 

 you may tell him so. Good-bye ! " ' 



In the drawing-room Jack Musters was distinguished 



