however, is wide enough for us both, and neither will get more in it than our ordained fortunes."

This was so like a moderate and sensible observation, that I was vexed with myself for having been so tart with him, which caused me to soften and become more condescending. We then conversed for some time on general topics, and especially on the prospects of the set

tlement.

"Ay," said he; "talking of that, if I may be so bold as to inquire in the way of cordiality and friendship, what do you think, Mr. Todd, would be the most advantageous assortment of goods for me to lay in for my proposed bit shoppie ?"

"I would be thankful to know that myself," replied I; " and to be plain with you, if I did, I would not tell you."

"To be sure, you are under no obligation," was his answer; "but I did not mean any thing for a store, I was only going to inquire if you would advise a judicious selection of spiders and frying-pans."

"I would advise a judicious selection of

every thing," was all I could say, my temper beginning to be a little crisp, for spiders and frying-pans formed no inconsiderable portion of spec I had made with neighbour Nackets, at Olympus.

the

66

"It's really most encouraging," said he,

to be so countenanced by a man of your experience and discernment, Mr. Todd; but don't you think I might venture on a dozen or two of shovels and spades, and as many axes ?"

Was ever such impudence heard of? It almost took away my breath, for, saving six casks of nails, a few locks and hinges, together with two bales of blankets, and a crate of crockeryware, these were the very articles I had bought from Mr. Nackets, and upon which I considered the penny was likeliest to be

soonest and easiest turned. But he was not yet done.

"What would you think," he added, "of my ordering a bale of blankets, a cask or two of nails, and a few locks and hinges? No house, ye ken, can be made habitable without them."

At this turn of the conversation, I chanced

to recollect how I had been trepanned, and my brains stolen, by Mr. Finhorn, the Aberdonian haddock, as I should call him; and I could no longer endure such meddling. The senseless body, however, crowned all, by saying

"I see, Mr. Todd, ye 're no in a disposition the night to be cordial. I'm sure all thought of offence was far from me, but I was curious to hear what sort of articles ye had bought from Mr. Nackets, and having now a good guess of what they are, I'll trouble you no farther for the present. Ye need not, however, be afraid; I have no intention of setting up an opposition store; I just propounded the project that I might expiscate some kind of satisfaction to my curiosity."

Was there ever such a bodie! To be all the time making a fool of me, and I never to suspect him, which shows the danger of talking with persons who have not common sense. I never could think of him afterwards and keep my temper, and yet it was permitted that he should afflict me many days, as I shall have often enough cause to relate.

CHAPTER XIII.

"These honours

Lose half their worth by being shared with him.”

BEFORE the rigour of the winter began to relent, and the snow to slip away at the gentle coming of the spring, I had many opportunities of observing the character and disposition of the settlers, among whom my lot was cast, and it was often the cause of heavy thoughts to me, in the meditations of my solitary walks, to see how the habits of orderliness which many had brought with them, were daily slackening.

In Mr. Herbert, who was prospering in his school to the fullest extent of every reasonable expectation, we had obtained a great blessing; but the gracious influences of his calm and excellent methods reached not beyond the chil

dren: we still required a voice of authority among the parents; not that flagrant offences prevailed, but every one did too much according to the pleasure of his own will. The men were growing more coarse and familiar in their language than consisted with decorum; and the women took less heed, both of their appearance and apparel, than betokened a wholesome sense of propriety.

This falling off, so visible in the do-wellenough expedients of the slatternly days of winter, either was not visible, or had not been heeded during the fine weather; but before the frost broke up, it was too plain that the corrosion which roughens the inhabitants of the backwoods, was beginning to show itself amongst us.

For some time, I thought it was owing to the lack of magistrates, and stirred with the agent of the settlement to get a justice of the peace appointed; but a difficulty arose which I had not foreseen, never having, till this period, meddled in political matters. I had imagined, that by the help of a good recommendation, and a fair character, no objection would be