the truth, all the barring, and locking, and
bolting, is to keep out a set of gentlemen, who he assures us are
_robbers_, and who are waiting for an opportunity to destroy us. I
hope no offense, sir, but by your livery I suspect you, sir, are one
of the gang he is so much afraid of."

_Flatterwell._ Afraid of me? Impossible, dear Mr. Parley. You see, I
do not look like an enemy. I am unarmed; what harm can a plain man
like me do?

_Parley._ Why, that is true enough. Yet my master says, if we were
to let you into the house, we should be ruined soul and body.

_Flatterwell._ I am sorry, Mr. Parley, to hear so sensible a man as
you are, so deceived. This is mere prejudice. He knows we are
cheerful entertaining people, foes to gloom and superstition, and
therefore he is so morose he will not let you get acquainted with
us.

_Parley._ Well; he says you are a band of thieves, gamblers,
murderers, drunkards, and atheists.

_Flatterwell._ Don't believe him; the worst we should do, perhaps
is, we might drink a friendly glass with you to your master's
health, or play an innocent game of cards just to keep you awake, or
sing a cheerful song with the maids; now is there any harm in all
this?

_Parley._ Not the least in the world. And I begin to think there is
not a word of truth in all my master says.

_Flatterwell._ The more you know us, the more you will like us. But
I wish there was not this ugly hedge between us. I have a great deal
to say, and I am afraid of being overheard.

Parley was now just going to give a spring over the hedge, but
checked himself, saying, "I dare not come on your side, there are
people about, and every thing is carried to the master." Flatterwell
saw by this that his new friend was kept on his own side of the
hedge by fear rather than by principle, and from that moment he made
sure of him. "Dear Mr. Parley," said he, "if you will allow me the
honor of a little conversation with you, I will call under the
window of your lodge this evening. I have something to tell you
greatly to your advantage. I admire you exceedingly. I long for your
friendship; our whole brotherhood is ambitious of being known to so
amiable a person." "O dear," said Parley, "I shall be afraid of
talking to you at night. It is so against my master's orders. But
did you say you had something to tell me to my advantage?"

_Flatterwell._ Yes, I can point out to you how you may be a richer,
a merrier, and a happier man. If yo