u want to take the law of him,' addressing the other.

"'I do, the rascal.'

"'Very well, my good friends, if you wish to get law you have come to
the wrong shop for it--we deal in nothing but justice here: so if you
prefer justice to law, you shall have it.'

"'Whichever your honor thinks is best for us.'

"'Very well, then; are you able to fight this man?'

"'Ha, ha, is it there you are, Sir William?' says the fellow,
brightening, 'able is it! ay, and willing too.'

"'And,' says the baronet, addressing the other again, 'are you a match
for him, do you think?'

"'Say no more, Sir William; only it was surely the Lord put the words
into your mouth.'

"'But,' proceeds Sir W., 'mark me, if you don't both abide by this
battle--if either of you, no matter which is beaten, shall attempt to
get law elsewhere, upon my honor and soul, I will prosecute you both.'
The justice being well furnished with a sheaf of cudgels for the
purpose, selects one for each, brings them quietly to the stable yard
where he lets them fight it out, each having first solemnly promised to
abide the result."

"Is that true, baronet?"

"Perfectly true," replied Sir William; "but I fear that like some of
your wise and impartial proceedings here, it will soon work its own
cure. The business has increased so damnably--this dispensation of
justice I mean--on my hands, that my stable yard resembles a fives
court rather than anything else I know. The method harmonizes with their
habits so beautifully, that if there is an angry word between them it is
only 'd--n you, are you for Sir W.?' 'Yes, you villain step out.' They
accordingly come, and as they touch their hats, I ask, well, my good
fellows, what do you want now? 'Not law Sir William, but justice--the
cudgels, plase your honor.' In the beginning I was in the habit of
making them relate the cause of quarrel first, and then fight it out
afterwards, but experience soon taught me that all this was a mere waste
of time. In general now, I pass all that by; the complainants have their
comfortable fight, as they say, and go home perfectly satisfied."

"Here, you secretary, what the devil are you at there? Why d-----e,
it wasn't to toss half crowns with that rascal of a treasurer you came
here, sir; let us get through the business, and then you may both toss
off to the devil, where you'll go at last."

"Why," said the secretary, "I placed the papers all arranged in proper
order before you."

"Yes,