petition, with
all its pedantry, are too true."

"But consider, sir, that he sunk seven hundred pounds in it, an' that,
according to everything like fair play, he ought either to get his farm
again, at a raisonable rate, or his money that raised its value for the
landlord, back again; sure, that's but fair, your honor."

"I'm not here to discuss the morality of the subject, my good friend,
neither do I question the truth of your argument, simply as you put it.
I only say, that what you ask, is impracticable. You probably know not
Dick o' the Grange, for you say you are a stranger--if you did, you
would not put yourself to the trouble of getting even a petition for
such a purpose written."

"It's a hard case, your honor."

"It is a hard case; but the truth is, I see nothing that can be done for
the Daltons. To talk of putting a family, in such a state as they are
now in, back again, upon such a farm, is stark nonsense--without stock
or capital of any kind--the thing is ridiculous."

"But suppose they had stock and capital?"

"Why, then, they certainly would have the best right to the farm--but
where's the use of talking about stock or capital, so far as they are
concerned?"

"I wish your honor would interfere for an oppressed and ill-treated
family, against as great a rogue, by all accounts, as ever broke
bread--I wish you would make me first sure that they'd get their farm."

"To what purpose, I say?"

"Why, sir, for a raison I have. If your honor will make me sure that
they'll get their land again, that's all I want."'

"What is your reason? Have you capital, and are you willing to assist
them?"

The pedlar shook his head. "Is it the likes o' me, your honor? No, but
maybe it might be made up for them some way."

"I believe," said the agent, "that your intentions are good; only that
they are altogether impracticable. However, a thought strikes me. Go to
Dick o' the Grange, and lay your case before him. Ask a new lease
for your friends, the Daltons--of course he won't give it; but at all
events, come back to me, and let me know, as nearly in his own words as
you can, what answer he will give you; go now, that is all that I can do
for you in the matter."

"Barrin' this, your honor, that set in case the poor heart-broken
Daltons wor to get capital some way."

"Perhaps," said Travers, interrupting him, "you can assist them."

"Oh, if I could!--no, but that set in case, as I said, that it was to be
forth