some misgivings as to the fate of his family. His anxiety increased as the morning wore away, and still no signs of their coming. So as soon as

he could, he dismissed his congregation, and hastened homewards.

When about half-way, he perceived the procession coming slowly forward; Mrs. Primrose, Moses, and the two little boys on one horse, and Olivia and

Sophia on the other. They had a most pitiful

tale to relate.

It seems that, when they had attempted to start away from the house, the horse refused to budge an inch; and Mr. Burchell, who was passing by, was kind enough to beat them forward with his cudgel for about two hundred yards. Then the straps of Mrs. Primrose's pillion broke, and, of course, those had to be repaired before the company could advance. Next, one of the horses took it into his head to stand still, and neither threats nor blows could make him move on. They had just coaxed him into taking a few steps forward, when the Vicar met them.

Poor Mrs. Primrose! her disappointment and mortification were sad to see; yet her husband could

not wholly regret the mishap, for he thought it might teach her and her daughters a wholesome lesson in humility.

This experience, however, did not immediately have the effect that the good Vicar desired; for only a few days passed before his wife proposed that now, as they could afford to hold up their heads a little higher in the world, they should sell the colt and buy a horse that would make a better appearance.

The Vicar, as was his habit, offered numerous objections, all of which were successfully met by his wife; and, at last, finding himself no match for her in argument, he yielded with the best grace possible under the circumstances. So it was agreed that the colt should be sold next day at a neighboring fair. But I will tell you the story as I heard the Vicar himself relate it one night, as we sat around the fire in the cozy sitting-room.

“Now that we began to hold up our heads a little higher in the world, it was proposed that we sell the colt, which was grown old, at a neighboring fair, and buy us a horse that would make a pretty appearance at church or upon a visit. This, at first, I opposed stoutly; but it was stoutly defended. However, as

I weakened, my antagonist gained strength, till at last it was resolved to part with him.

"As the fair happened on the following day, I had intentions of going myself; but my wife persuaded me that I had got a cold, and nothing could prevail upon her to permit me to leave home. No, my dear,' said she, our son Moses is a discreet boy, and can buy and sell to very good advantage; you know all our great bargains are of his purchasing. He always stands out and higgles, and actually tires them till he gets a bargain.'

9

"As I had some opinion of my son's prudence, I was willing enough to entrust him with this commission; and the next morning I perceived his sisters mighty busy in fitting out Moses for the fair; trimming his hair, brushing his buckles, and cocking his hat with pins. The business of the toilet being over, we had at last the satisfaction of seeing him mounted upon the colt, with a deal box before him to bring home groceries in. He had on a coat made of that cloth they call thunder and lightning, which, though grown too short, was much too good to be thrown away. His waistcoat was of gosling green, and his Higgle to talk a good deal.

9

sisters had tied his hair with a broad, black riband. We all followed him several paces from the door, bawling after him, 'Good luck! good luck!' till we could see him no longer.

The day was spent in pleasant expectation; and as evening approached, we began to look for our son's return. My wife was the first to espy him.

"As I live,' said she, 'yonder comes Moses without a horse, and the box at his back."

"As she spoke, Moses came slowly on foot, and sweating under the deal box, which he had strapped round his shoulders like a pedlar.

"Welcome, welcome, Moses! Well, my boy, what have you brought us from the fair?'

"I have brought you myself,' cried Moses, with a sly look, and resting the box on the dresser. 'Ay, Moses,' cried my wife, that we know; but where is the horse?' 'I have sold him,' cried Moses, for three pounds five shillings and twopence.' 'Well done, my good boy,' returned she; 'I knew you would touch them off. Between ourselves, three pounds five shillings and twopence is no bad day's work. Come, let us have it, then.' 'I have brought back no money,' cried Moses again. I have laid it

all out in a bargain, and here it is,' pulling out a bundle from his breast; 'here they are; a gross of green spectacles, with silver rims and shagreen 10 cases.' A gross of green spectacles!' repeated my wife, in a faint voice; and you have parted with the colt, and brought us back nothing but a gross of green, paltry spectacles!' 'Dear mother,' cried the boy, why won't you listen to reason? I had them at a dead bargain, or I should not have bought them. The silver rims alone will sell for double the money.'

"A fig for the silver rims,' cried my wife in a passion: I dare swear they won't sell for above half the money at the rate of broken silver, five shillings an ounce.' 'You need be under no uneasiness,' cried I, 'about selling the rims, for they are not worth sixpence; for I perceive they are only copper varnished over.' 'What?' cried my wife, 'not silver! the rims not silver?' 'No,' cried I, no more silver than your saucepan.'

And so,' returned she, we have parted with the colt, and have only got a gross of green spectacles with copper rims and shagreen cases! The block

10 Shagreen: a kind of leather.