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13 grass in 1800, and oats again in 1801; now you never remember any of the intermediate years, but only those that you 'shore on these fields. I cannot be mistaken in a rule I never break.”

The cooper had now got his cue. He perceived that the plea ultimately depended on proof relating to the proper cropping of the land throughout the lease; and he supported the farmer so strenuously, that Tibby, in her simplicity, fairly yielded, although hardly convinced; but the cooper assured the farmer that he would put her all to rights, provided she recieved a handsome acknowledgement, for there was not the least doubt that Mr Forret was right in every particular.

This speech of the cooper's gratified the farmer exceedingly, as his whole fortune now depended upon the evidene to be elicited in the court at Dumfries, on a day that was fast approaching, and he was willing to give anything to secure the evidence on his side; so he made a long set speech to Tibby, telling her how necessary it was that she should adhere strictly to the truth —that, as it would be an awful thing to make oath to that which was false, he had