ay
mare.

2. Scrapewell. It would give me great pleasure to oblige you, friend
Derby; but I am under the necessity of going to the mill this very
morning, with a bag of corn. My wife wants the meal to-day, and you know
what a time there'll be if I disappoint her.

3. D. Then she must want it still, for I can assure you the mill does not
go to-day. I heard the miller tell Will Davis that the water was too low.

4. S. You don't say so! That is bad, indeed; for in that case I shall be
obliged to gallop off to town for the meal. My wife would comb my head for
me if I should neglect it.

5. D. I can save you this journey, for I have plenty of meal at home, and
will lend your wife as much as she wants.

6. S. Ah! neighbor Derby, I am sure your meal would never suit my wife.
You can't conceive how whimsical she is.

7. D. If she were ten times more whimsical than she is, I
am certain she would like it; for you sold it to me yourself,
and you assured me it was the best you ever had.

8. S. Yes, yes! that's true, indeed; I always have the best of
everything. You know, neighbor Derby, that no one is more
ready to oblige a friend than I am; but I must tell you the
mare this morning refused to eat hay; and, truly, I am afraid
she will not carry you.

9. D. Oh, never fear! I will feed her well with oats on the road.

10. S. Oats! neighbor; oats are very dear.

11. D. Never mind that. When I have a good job in view, I never stand for
trifles.

12. S. But it is very slippery; and I am really afraid she will fall and
break your neck.

13. D. Give yourself no uneasiness about that. The mare is certainly
sure-footed; and, besides, you were just now talking of galloping her to
town.

14. S. Well, then, to tell you the plain truth, though I wish to oblige
you with all my heart, my saddle is torn quite in pieces, and I have just
sent my bridle to be mended.

15. D. Luckily, I have both a bridle and a saddle hanging up at home.

16. S. Ah! that may be; but I am sure your saddle will never fit my mare.
She's very notional.

17. D. Why, then I'll borrow neighbor Clodpole's.

18. S. Clodpole's! his will no more fit than yours.

19. D. At the worst, then, I will go to my good friend, Squire Jones. He
has half a score of them; and I am sure he will lend me one that will fit
her.

20. S. You know, friend Derby, that no one is more willing to oblige his
neighbors than I am. I do assure you the beast should be at your serv