many unequivocal symptoms. In some places high words were going on, in
others blows; and altogether the affair seemed likely to terminate in a
general conflict.

"Father," said his son Charles, "had you not better try and settle these
rising disturbances?"

"Not I," replied the jovial magistrate; "let them thrash one another
till morning; they like it, and I make it a point never to go between
the poor people and their enjoyments. Gadzooks, Charley, don't you know
it would be a tame and discreditable affair without a row?"

"Yes; but now that they've got drunk, they're cheering you, and groaning
my mother."

"Devil's cure to her," replied his father; "if she didn't deserve it
she'd not get it. What right had she to send my bailiffs to drive their
cattle without my knowledge, and to take duty fowl and duty work from
them whenever my back is turned, and contrary to my wishes? Come in till
we have some punch; let them shout and fight away; it wouldn't fee the
thing, Charley, without it."

They found an exceedingly lively scene in the large parlor of the inn;
but, in fact, every available room in the house was crowded. Then, after
they had looked on for some time, every eye soon singled out the
pride and beauty of the assembly in the person of Grace Davoren, whose
features were animated into greater loveliness, and her eyes into
greater brilliancy, by the light-hearted spirit which prevailed. She
was dressed in her new drugget gown, had on her new shoes and blue
stockings, a short striped blue and red petticoat, which displayed as