take care that the farm shall remain open until you come back." Farmer. "" Long life to yer honour's reverence; I'll do that same; an' I'll be back in a jiffy, without any delay in life." The farmer, buoyed up by the prospect of regaining his lost treasure, departed in good spirits for the county of Tipperary; and played his part so well as to return in a few days with the needful. Having waited on Mr. Curran, the latter sent immediately for the friendly door-keeper, whom he instructed to accompany the countryman to Rooney's, in order to witness the deposit of the second bundle of bank notes. He directed the farmer to plead mistake and intoxication in regard to his former claim, and to apologize accordingly also to say that he had returned to the country, where he had found his money; and that he was desirous of making amends for his former suspicion of his honesty, by now depositing the money in his hands until the morrow; as he was tired with his journey, and could not transact his business with the landlord that even : ing. He likewise warned them both to be on their guard, that Rooney might not suspect their intimacy or business; and for that purpose he advised the countryman to enter on the business before the door-keeper made his appearance, which should be exactly at the instant when the notes should be counting out. They set out accordingly, and the farmer obeyed his instructions to the letter; the villain Rooney, no doubt, anticipating a second booty. But, seeing the door-keeper enter, the farmer took up his cue, and said, There's the hundred pound, every hap'orth of it: count it yourself, Mr. Rooney, and see it's all right. I'll take a bed with ye to night, and in the morning I'll be wanting it again, to pay for my lase: ye'll be sure not to fail to be giving me the money when I ax ye for it.” Oh! never fear Nick Rooney for that," replied the innkeeper; there are the notes safe in my pocket-book; and I'll put that same under my bolster this blessed night.” The door-keeper saw that now was his time to take a part in the colloquy; accordingly, he ex claimed, "Troth, Mistur Nicholas Rooney, and it is not myself would be after trusting such an old Belzebub as you are with any money at all. Much better, sure, for the farmer to lend me a hold of the flimsies; for I'm an honest man ev'ry inch, and I'll keep them as safe for him as if they were lodged in the Bank of Ireland." By the holy!" replied the farmer, "but ye're a mighty dacent sort of a brute baste now, to be after thinking that I would trust my money wid you that I never before sat eyes on. And sure, Mr. Rooney ought to give ye a great big bating for the durty suspicion upon his honour.” Get out of my house, you thief of the world," roared out the landlord to the officer; "what d'ye mane by it, Sur?" Ay, bad manners t 'ye," rejoined the countryman, what d'ye mane, Sur, by computing to Mr. Rooney that he is a robber, and the likes of that? But, barring yer ondacency, isn't there yerself there to the fore, ye spalpeen, to bear witness that I giv'd him the money? Get out ye blackguard! it's like enough ye're a swin ler yerself, and ye're trying at this moment to pick my pocket: but I knows the thricks of Dublin, I can tell ye." The officer now saw that it was his turn to make an apology; which he did by swearing that what he had said was only a joke, and “ no offence in life;" after which he called for a noggin of whiskey, and took his departure. The countryman, likewise, after a short refreshment, bent his steps towards Ely Place, where he reported progress to Mr. Curran. Very well," said the counsellor ; now go back to the inn alone, and tell Rooney that you have been informed your landlord sails for England to-morrow morning, and that you want the money now; for, that the only chance you have of getting your lease renewed, is by having it done this evening." Away hied the farmer, not well knowing what to make of his director's manoeuvres; but he punctiliously executed his message, and soon returned with the money: Rooney, though sorry to let the booty out of his grasp, was too well aware of the consequences of denying a transac tion, to which there had been (what he thought) even an accidental witness. On putting the notes down on the table, Curran thus addressed his client. Well, now, my friend, so far, so well: we have now got the rascal fast." "The Lord above be praised for all his tinder marcies!" replied the countryman; “but, with your wurchip's honour's lave, may I be so bould as to obsarve, that the villain still houlds the money he first tuck from me.' "No such thing!" returned Curran : Why you blundering blockhead, don't you see that this is the first hundred pounds; and that you have nothing to do, to-morrow morning, but to go with your witness, and claim the hundred you left with him to..day?" 66 The holy vargin and the blessed saints be good unto you, Misthur Curran, all the days of your life,” replied the farmer; ye advise the right thing any how; and I'll do that same sure enough." Accordingly, next day, the biter found himself bit, when the countryman arrived with the officer |