THE END.

THE LAWSUIT.

Tom Bumpkin was a thriving man,
As all the world could see;
In forty years he'd raised himself
From direst poverty.

And now he rented from the Squir
Some acres, near a score;
Some people said 'twas twenty-five,
And some that it was more.

He had a sow of rare brave breed,
And nine good pigs had he;
A cow and calf, a rick of hay,
And horses he had three.

And Mrs. Bumpkin had a bull,
The finest creature out;
"And, like a Christian," so she said,
"It follered her about."

So Bumpkin was a thriving man,
As all the world could see;
A self-made man, but yet not made
Of scholarship was he.

With neighbour Snooks he dealings had
About his latest farrow;
Snooks said he'd bought a pig, and so,
To prove it, brought his barrow.

Tom said, "It wur to be two crowns;"
Snooks said, "Twur nine-and-six;"
Then Tom observed, "You doan't 'ave me
Wi none o' them there tricks."

So there was battle; Lawyer Prigg
Was told this tale of woe;
The Lawyer rubbed his bony hands
And said, "I see; quite so!"

"A case of trespass,"--"Ay zo 't be!"
Said Bumpkin, feeling big;
"Now mak un pay vor't, mak un pay;
It beant so much th' pig."

"No, no, it's not so much the pig,
That were a matter small;
Indeed, good Bumpkin, we may say
It's not the pig at all!

"It's more the _principle_ involved,
The rights of man, you see"--
"Ay, ay," quoth Tom; "the devil's in't
'F I beant as good as he."

There never was a man more prompt
Or swift to strike a blow:
Give but the word, and Charger Prigg
Was down upon the foe.

The LETTER, WRIT, and STATEMENT went
Like lightning, thunder, rain;
INSPECTION and DISCOVERY rode
Like Uhlans o'er the plain!

Then INTERROGATORIES flew
Without procrastination:
As when the ambushed outposts give
A deadly salutation.

Now Snooks's lawyer was a man
To wrong would never pander;
And like a high-souled Pleader drew
A COUNTERCLAIM for slander;

And then with cautious skill behind
The legal outworks clambers;
Until dislodged, he held his own
Entrenched in Judges' Chambers.

At length came battle hot and fierce,
And points reserved as though
The case must be eco