ards expenses; the other side always pays."

This was a stroke of reasoning not to be gainsaid. But Mr. Prigg had a
further observation to make on the subject, and it was this:

"After the case has gone on up to being ready for trial, and the Judges
find that it is a case more fitting to be tried in the Common Law Courts,
then an order is made transferring it, that is, sending it out of
Chancery to be tried by one of the other Judges."

"Can't see un," said Bumpkin, "I beant much of a scollard, but I tak it
thee knows best."

Mr. Prigg smiled: a beneficent, sympathizing smile.

"I dare say," he said, "it looks a little mysterious, but we lawyers
understand it; so, if you don't mind, I shall bring it in the Chancery
Division in the first instance; and nice and wild the other side will be.
I fancy I see the countenance of Snooks' lawyer."

This was a good argument, and perfectly satisfactory to the
unsophisticated mind of Bumpkin.

"And when," he asked, "will ur come on, think'ee?"

"O, in due time; everything is done very quickly now--not like it used to
be--you'd be surprised, we used to have to wait years--yes, years, sir,
before an action could be tried; and now, why bless my soul, you get
judgment before you know where you are."

How true this turned out to be may hereafter appear; but in a dream you
never anticipate.

"I shall write at once," said "Honest Prigg," "for compensation and an
apology; I think I would have an apology."

"Make un pay--I doant so much keer for the t'other thing; that beant much
quonsequence."

"Quite so--quite so." And with this observation Mr. Prigg escorted his
client to the door.

CHAPTER V.

In which it appears that the sting of slander is not always in the head.

Mr. Prigg lost no time in addressing a letter to the ill-advised Josiah
Snooks with the familiar and affectionate commencement of "Dear Sir,'"
asking for compensation for the "gross outrage" he had committed upon
"his client;" and an apology to be printed in such papers as he, the
client, should select.

The "Dear Sir" replied, not in writing, for he was too artful for that,
but by returning, as became his vulgar nature, Mr. Prigg's letter in a
very torn and disgusting condition.

To a gentleman of cultivated mind and sensitive nature, this was
intolerable; and Mr. Prigg knew that even the golden bridge of compromise
was now destroyed. He no longer felt as a mere lawyer, anxious in the
interest