on," said his generous father; "his
words isn't like the words of a desaver, and it isn't till he shows the
cloven foot that I'll ever give in that he's, dishonest."

"Well," said Bryan, "I'm sure I for one hope you may be right; but, at
any rate, as he's at home now I'll start and see him."

"Do then," said his father, "bekaise I know you're a favorite of his;
for he tould me so wid his own lips."

"Well," replied the other, laughing, "I hope you're right there too;
I'm sure I have no objection;" and he accordingly set out to see
Fethertonge, but with something of an impression that the object of
his visit was not likely to be accomplished without difficulty, if
accomplished at all.

On reaching the agent's house he met a thin, tall man, named Clinton,
with a hooked nose and sinister aspect, riding down the avenue, after
having paid Fethertonge a visit. This person was the gauger of the
district, a bachelor and a man of considerable wealth, got together,
it is suspected, by practices that were not well capable of bearing the
light. His family consisted of a niece and a nephew, the latter of whom
had recently become a bosom friend of the accomplished Hycy Burke, who,
it was whispered, began to look upon Miss Clinton with a partial eye.
Hycy had got acquainted with him at the Herringstown races, where
he, Hycy, rode and won a considerable sweepstakes; and as both young
gentlemen were pretty much of the same habits of life, a very warm
intimacy had, for some time past, subsisted between them. Clinton, to
whom M'Mahon was known, addressed him in a friendly manner, and, after
some chat, he laid the point of his whip gently upon Bryan's shoulder,
so as to engage his attention.

"M'Mahon," said he, "I am glad I have met you, and I trust our meeting
will be for your good. You have had a dispute with Hycy Burke?"

"Why, sir," replied Bryan, smiling, "if I had it wasn't such as it was
worth his while to talk about."

"Well, M'Mahon, that's generously said on your part--now, listen to me;
don't allow yourself to be drawn into any illegal or illicit proceedings
by any one, friend or foe--if so, you will only put yourself into the
power of your enemies; for enemies you have, I can assure you."

"They say, sir, there is no one without them," replied Bryan, smiling;
"but so far as I am consarned, I don't exactly understand what you mane.
I have no connection with anything, either illegal or--or--wrong in any
way, Mr. Clinton