has taken an interest
in this M'Loughlin, and I wish him to witness his punishment."

"Hadn't you betther put the rascal in the stocks, or give an ordher for
it, till it's your honor's convenience to see him?"

"No, no, desire them to bring him here immediately--go now, and do not
lose a moment."

On entering the parlor again, he rubbed his hands with perfect delight.

"Ay," said he, "this day, M'Loughlin, I have long looked for; this day,
this day, ha, ha, ha!"

"M'Clutchy," said M'Loughlin, "I always knew you were a bad and
black-hearted man; but that you were such a perfect devil I never knew
till now. What, to drag out my sick wife!"

"Ha! ha! ha!"

"Consider that her removal now will occasion her death."

"Ha! ha! ha!"

"You will not do it; you could not do it. Would you kill her?"

"Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! M'Loughlin, this is the day of my vengeance, and my
triumph. Ha, ha, ha!"

"Friend M'Clutchy," said Solomon, "permit me for one moment to
remonstrate--"

"Permit the devil, sir," said Val, stamping on the floor with fury;
"remonstrate! Don't you know that I have this fellow safely in my
power?"

"I do," replied Solomon, "and my remonstrance would have been, had
you heard me, simply and humbly to suggest that you might do the
thing---this vengeance that you speak of--in an edifying manner--or, in
other words, in a mild and Christian spirit."

"Solomon, you are after all but a poor devil," said Val; "a poor pitiful
scoundrel, that can't understand what full, deep-seated, and lasting
vengeance means. You are only fit to sneak, and peep, and skulk about
after a sly, prim, sweet-faced--but I am losing my breath to speak to
you. Gordon, is the inventory taken?"

"It is, sir; Montgomery has it."

"That's well, here are the carts then--ay, and here comes the sheriff.
Now for business."

"So, then, you will proceed, Mr. M'Clutchy?" said M'Loughlin.

"Proceed," he replied, looking at him, as it were, with amazement;
"proceed--ha, ha, ha!"

"Truly that is unchristian mirth," observed Solomon; "I must say as
much--even although your cause be a just cause, and one supported by
the laws--by our blessed laws, that protect the rights of the tenant
and landlord with equal justice and impartiality; for it is a glorious
privilege to live under a constitution that protects the tenant from
the malignity and oppression of the landlord or his agents. It is that,"
said Solomon; "oh, it is that precious thing, inde