oot;--but, as it is thought he cannot make a long Stand
there,--others are of Opinion, That Trim will once more in his Life get
hold of the Parson's Horse, and charge upon him, or perhaps behind him.
But as the Horse is not easy to be caught, the more general Opinion is,
That, when he is driven out of the Reading-Desk, he will make his last
Retreat in such a Manner as, if possible, to gain the Close-Stool, and
defend himself behind it to the very last Drop. If Trim should make this
Movement, by my Advice he should be left besides his Citadel, in full
Possession of the Field of Battle;--where, 'tis certain, he will keep
every Body a League off, and may pop by himself till he is weary:
Besides, as Trim seems bent upon purging himself, and may have Abundance
of foul Humours to work off, I think he cannot be better placed.

But this is all Matter of Speculation.--Let me carry you back to Matter
of Fact, and tell you what Kind of a Stand Trim has actually made behind
the said Desk.

"Neighbours and Townsmen all, I will be sworn before my Lord Mayor, That
John and his nineteen Men in Buckram, have abused me worse than a Dog;
for they told you that I play'd fast and go-loose with the late Parson
and him, in that old Dispute of theirs about the Reading-Desk; and that
I made Matters worse between them, and not better."

Of this Charge, Trim declared he was as innocent as the Child that was
unborn: That he would be Book-sworn he had no Hand in it. He produced a
strong Witness;--and, moreover, insinuated, that John himself, instead
of being angry for what he had done in it, had actually thank'd him.
Aye, Trim, says the Wight in the Plush Breeches, but that was, Trim, the
Day before John found thee out.--Besides, Trim, there is nothing in
that:--For, the very Year that thou wast made Town's Pinder, thou
knowest well, that I both thank'd thee myself; and, moreover, gave thee
a good warm Supper for turning John Lund's Cows and Horses out of my
Hard-Corn Close; which if thou had'st not done, (as thou told'st me) I
should have lost my whole Crop: Whereas, John Lund and Thomas Patt, who
are both here to testify, and will take their Oaths on't, That thou
thyself wast the very Man who set the Gate open; and, after all,--it was
not thee, Trim,--'twas the Blacksmith's poor Lad who turn'd them out: So
that a Man may be thank'd and rewarded too for a good Turn which he
never did, nor ever did intend.

Trim could not sustain this unexpected