Page:Interesting stories.pdf/6

 guinea for change. Boniface and his rib having both rummaged their pockets for the amount found they were seven shillings deficient. " What the devil hast thou done with all thy silver ? cried Boniface. " Why, my dear," replied she meekly " didn't I give it to Dr Kind out of the half-guinea for the hire of the horse?" This rather confused our disinterested host: but not being easily put out of contenance, and thinking silence best, he took no other notice of the circumstance, than to bid her go and get change; winking to her very significantly, at the same time, to withdraw. The company had sat for some time, enjoying themselves in silence, here and there interrupted by a trite observation, when the piper offered to play them a tune. A dance was accordingly proposed ; but objected to, at first, by Boniface, who observed as how it spoiled good company. However, finding it necessary to conform to the humour of his customers, he determined to lose nothing from the temporary suspension of drinking; and, having emptied the only mug that had liquor in it, ordered his wife who now returned with " She couldn't get change, though she had been at a dozen places ! -to fill all again, and stood up with the rest. The piper began; and at it they went, if not with skill, at least with glee.

How fragile is the tenure of joy! the piper had scarcely thrice repeated his strain, when in came the landlady, and informed her spouse, that Mr Martin was come for his horse, which they had lent the Doctor in the morning. She was followed by the gentleman. Scorum was again confused: and stammered out, that as how it had wanted shoeing, and so he had sent it to town. But Mr