nguage, but still felt that the application was a very lame one.
Why ask any man for an opinion, and tell him at the same time that
his opinion might probably not be taken? And yet no other alternative
had been left to him. The meeting had decided that the application
should be made; but Mr. Jawstock was well aware that let the young
Lord's answer be what it might, the Major would not be endured as
Master in the Runnymede country. Mr. Jawstock felt that the passage
in which he explained that a Master of Hounds should be a depositary
of influence and intimacy, was good;--but yet the application was
lame, very lame.

Lord Silverbridge as he read it thought that it was very unfair.
It was a most disagreeable thunderbolt. Then he opened the second
letter, of which he well knew the handwriting. It was from the Major.
Tifto's letters were very legible, but the writing was cramped,
showing that the operation had been performed with difficulty.
Silverbridge had hoped that he might never receive another epistle
from his late partner. The letter, as follows, had been drawn out for
Tifto in rough by the livery-stable keeper in Long Acre.

MY DEAR LORD SILVERBRIDGE,

I venture respectfully to appeal to your Lordship for
an act of justice. Nobody has more of a true-born
Englishman's feeling of fair play between man and man than
your Lordship; and as you and me have been a good deal
together, and your Lordship ought to know me pretty well,
I venture to appeal to your Lordship for a good word.

All that story from Doncaster has got down into the
country where I am M.F.H. Nobody could have been more
sorry than me that your Lordship dropped your money. Would
not I have been prouder than anything to have a horse in
my name win the race! Was it likely I should lame him?
Anyways I didn't, and I don't think your Lordship thinks
it was me. Of course your Lordship and me is two now;--but
that don't alter the facts.

What I want is your Lordship to send me a line, just
stating your Lordship's opinion that I didn't do it, and
didn't have nothing to do with it;--which I didn't. There
was a meeting at The Bobtailed Fox yesterday, and the
gentlemen was all of one mind to go by what your Lordship
would say. I couldn't desire nothing fairer. So I hope
your Lordship will stand to me now, and write something
that will pull me through.

With all respects I beg to remain