MR. EDWARD BOLTON had purchased himself a farm, and taken possession
thereof. Once, while examining the premises, before deciding to buy,
he had observed a light wagon moving along on the extreme south edge
of the tract of land included in the farm, but it had occasioned no
remark. It was late in the afternoon when he arrived with his family
at their new home. On the morning that followed, while Mr. Bolton
stood conversing with a farm-hand who had been on the place under
the former owner, he observed the same vehicle passing across the
portion of his land referred to.

"Whose wagon is that, Ben?" he asked, in the tone of a man who felt
that another had trespassed upon his rights.

"It is Mr. Halpin's," was replied.

"Halpin, who owns the next farm?"

"Yes, sir."

"He takes a liberty with my premises that I would not like to take
with his," said Mr. Bolton, who was annoyed by the circumstance.
"And there he is himself, as I live! riding along over my ground as
coolly as if it belonged to him. Verily, some men have the impudence
of old Nick himself!"

"They always go by that road," replied Ben; "at least, it has been