And tell me now what you have been doing to my good-man, that he is skulking behind the chairs like a fox in a hen-roost?"

6

Thine husband hath sold himself to do evil,' replied the Constable, therefore did fear come upon him, when I lifted up my rod of justice.'

6

'Out upon your false tongue now,' returned the woman, is he not one who "escheweth evil." and withholdeth drink from those who importune him, even to the measure which you allow ?"

All who come hither can bear me witness, that I have ever kept a quiet and orderly house,' said Master Cole, venturing forward, encouraged by the boldness of his help-mate, and whosoever affirmeth to the contrary, saith that which is false and not true.'

6

Is it from a clear conscience, Master Cole, that you have held back the cup from the drunkard ?' asked the Constable, or from the fear of man, lest you should lose your employment, by disobeying those, who have appointed me to determine the measure which shall be meted out?'

And is it not enough that you do that?' retorted Mistress Cole, without thrusting yourself into the presence of gentle-folk, and threwing your ungainly carcase in their way, all the time that they are eating? I should not wonder if they came not hither again, after such like mannerless behaviour.'

6

It would be well if they did not,' returned the Constable, our land hath been already too much infested with strangers, and the upholders of pre

lacy, who have caused many to err from the paths of knowledge.'

6

Speak of that you know, Master;' returned the dame, there may be such among the base and low, whom you daily see; but it is not every day we have a discreet and handsome young gentleman, like this Major Atherton, with us, who has served too the king's majesty and his country. Is it likely that such an one should be given to strong drink?

The high and low, dame Cole, are alike in the eye of the law and the gospel; neither is the rich a wit less given to excess than the poor; and we, who are charged to execute the laws, are bound to be no respecters of persons, but to give unto each his portion in due season.'

Well, well, do your own pleasure in that,' said Mistress Cole, but my good cooking, and good management will avail me nought, so long as a clumsy brute, like you, is crowding into every body's mess; and look you to it, Master; it shall not be so again while I am Mistress in this house.'

She shook her hand with a menacing gesture as she concluded; and seizing her spouse by the arm, led him from the room, and closed the door with some violence after her.

Mistress and Master too, I think;' muttered the offended minister of the law, but am not I Jeremiah Handcuff, a Constable of this town of Boston, appointed by the most honourable Governor, with the consent of his worshipful council? Yes,

that I am,' he added, rising with an air of importance, and balancing the insignium of his office upon his hand, and so I will keep fast to my duty, come what may, and the law will uphold me.'

Thus finishing his soliloquy, the Constable walked slowly from the house; but in passing through an adjoining apartment, he again encountered the landlady, who, with arms a-kimbo, stood directly in his way, apparently resolved not to yield one iota of her dignity, or her room. Master Handcuff, animated by the same accommodating spirit, brushed hastily past her, and as he did so, knocked her round-eared cap completely awry.

The Lord help us!' ejaculated the wrathful dame, as she adjusted her head gear, when some people get raised up to office they take such airs upon themselves!'

6

If you had kept out of his way, Deborah,' said her husband, the man would not have run against you.'

Sure now, Jacob,' returned the wife, was'nt it he that came in my way? but every body would'nt sit still and see their wife insulted for nothing,no, and you would'nt once, Jacob;' and she applied a corner of her apron to her eyes; but Master Cole could not perceive that it was at all wetted, and calmly answered,

• You can stand your own ground pretty well, dame; and it is only ill will that one gets by meddling in another's quarrels.'

It is well I can, Master Cole,' said the indig

nant dame, twitching the apron from her eyes, and I wish some other folk whom I could name, knew how to exercise a proper and becoming spirit.'

There is more than enough to keep the house in a turmoil from morning to night without my help;' retorted the good man; and like a prudent general, he retired from the field to avoid further contest and final defeat.

Major Atherton entered just as he quitted the room; and dame Cole instantly resumed her smiles, with the facility so natural to her sex on similar occasions.

END OF VOLUME ONE.

H.V