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145 BUCK'S HEAD. 145 liate a feller who'll change his old ancient doctrines for the sake of getting to heaven. I'd as soon turn king's-evidence for the few pounds you get. Why, neighbours, when every one of my taties were frosted, our Parson Thirdly were the man who gave me a sack for seed, though he hardly had one for his own use, and no money to buy 'em. If it hadn't been for him, I shouldn't hae had a tatie to put in my garden. D'ye think I'd turn after that ? No, I'll stick to my side; and if we be in the wrong, so be it : I'll fall with the fallen ! " " Well said — ^very well said," observed Joseph. — ^^ However, foUis, I must be moving now: upon my hfe I must. Parson Thirdly will be waiting at the chm-ch gates, and there's the woman a-biding outside in the waggon." Parson Thirdly won't mind. He's a generous man; he's found me in tracts for years, and I've consumed a good many in the course of a long and rather shady life ; but he's never been the man to complain of the expense. Sit down." The longer Joseph Poorgrass remained, the less his spirit was troubled by the duties which devolved upon him this afternoon. The minutes ghded by uncounted, until the evening shades began perceptibly to deepen, and the eyes of the three were but sparkhng points on the sm-face of VOL. II. L
 * ' Joseph Poorgrass, don't be so miserable!