i88 POOR PUSSY! 



sides. The result is that I have to pay 

 him for a top number of bushels per 

 acre, and straw ; and he saves the costs 

 of harvesting." It was on this estate 

 that a deputation of tenant farmers once 

 appeared in the laird's room. '' What 

 is it.^" he asked. " Weel, laird, it's 

 just this. Yon rabbit-catchers fra' Leever- 

 pool pay you twa houndred pounds the 

 year for the right to kill and take the 

 rabbits. Now, as it's we that feed the 

 rabbits, we jalouse that it's we that ought to 

 have the benefit." ''Oh, is that it ? " quoth 

 my uncle; "there certainly seems reason in 

 what you say. The rabbit-catcher's agree- 

 ment is, as you may have heard, a yearly 

 one ; and so I shall not renew it. After 

 this year the rabbits are yours." Exit 

 deputation wreathed in smiles, 



