"Yes, I had some business that made it necessary for me to go into
town."--Another silence.

"You have a beautiful farm. One of the finest in the neighbourhood,"
said Mr. Halpin.

"Yes, it is choice land," returned the unhappy Mr. Bolton.

"The place has been a little neglected since the last occupant
left," continued Mr. Halpin. "And since your purchase of it, some
ill-disposed persons have trespassed on the premises. Day before
yesterday, as I was passing along the lower edge of your farm,--you
know that, through some ill-contrivance, my right of way to the
public road is across the south edge of your premises. But we will
talk of that some other time. It's not a good arrangement at all,
and cannot but be annoying to you. I shall make some proposition,
before long, about purchasing a narrow strip of ground and fencing
it in as a road. But of that another time. We shall not quarrel
about it. Well, as I was saying, day before yesterday, as I was
passing along the lower edge of your farm, I saw a man deliberately
break a large branch from a choice young plum-tree, in full blossom,
near your house, that only came into bearing last year. I was
terribly vexed about it, and rode up to remonstrate with him. At
first, he seemed disposed to resent my interference with his right
to destroy my neighbour's property. But, seeing that I was not in a
temper to be trifled with, he took himself off. I then went back
home, and sent one of my lads over, in company with a couple of good
dogs, and put the property in their charge. I found all safe when I
returned in the evening."