at's God's truth, sir; and you'll
find it so, if you inquire into it. It's a common trick of his to keep
back receipts, and make the tenants pay double."*

* This is the fact. The individual here alluded to,
frequently kept back receipts when receiving rents,
under pretence of hurry, and afterwards compelled the
tenants to pay the same gale twice!

"Sacred Heaven, O'Brien! can this be possible?"

"Your best way, Colonel, is to inquire into it."

"Was not your father able to educate you at home, my boy?"

"No, sir. We soon got into poverty after we left your farm; and another
thing, sir, there was no Latin school in our neighborhood."

"For what purpose did you become a poor scholar?"

"Why, sir, I hoped one day or other to be able to raise my father and
mother out of the distress that Yallow Sam brought on us."

"By Heaven! a noble aim, and a noble sentiment. And what has this d--d
fellow of a schoolmaster done to you?"

"Why, sir, yesterday, when I went back to the school, he abused me, and
said that he supposed that most of my relations were hanged; spoke ill
of my father; and said that my mother"--Here the tears started to his
eyes--he sobbed aloud.

"Go on, and be cool," said the Colonel. "What did he say of your
mother?"

"He said, sir, that she was never married to my father. I know I was
wrong, sir; but if it was the king on his throne that said it of my
mother, I'd call him a liar. I called him a liar, and a coward, and a
villain: ay, sir, and if I had been able, I would have tramped him under
my feet."

The Colonel looked steadily at him, but the open clear eye which the boy
turned upon him was full of truth and independence. "And you will find,"
said the soldier, "that this spirited defence of your mother will be the
most fortunate action of your life. Well; he struck you then, did he?"

"He knocked me down, sir, with his fist--then kicked me in the back and
sides. I think some of my ribs are broke."

"Ay!--no doubt, no doubt," said the Colonel. "And you were only after
recovering from this fever which is so prevalent?"

"I wasn't a week out of it, sir."

"Well, my boy, we shall punish him for you."

"Sir, would you hear me for a word or two, if it would be pleasing to
you?"

"Speak on," said the Colonel.

"I would rather change his punishment to--I would--that is--if it would
be agreeable to you--It's this, sir--I wouldn't throuble you now against
the master, if yo