ROOKS AND PIGEONS. 



CHAPTER I. 



*' 'OssES ? Capper ? Capper don't know no 



more about 'osses tlian " Farmer Stnbson 



paused, for he was not good at similes, and having 

 vainly looked for inspiration into the mug of 

 beer on the table before him, took a long drink, 

 and contemptuously resumed his pipe. 



'' Oh ! he don't, don't he ? " Farmer Rutters 

 rejoined. "Did he find the winner of the 

 Southdown Cup ? Yes, did he ! Did he find 

 the winner of the Wessex Stakes ? Yes, did he ! 

 Was he right about Goodwood this year — right 

 through a'most ? Yes, was he ! " 



"And didn't he give thirty pounds for old 

 Chipps' mare, when she was broken down, and 

 any one could see with half an eye she wasn't 

 worth shoeing ? Yes, didn't he ! I tell 'ee he 

 don't know no more about 'osses than " 



