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 Clump; I shall not go down stairs."—Clump, who was his master's chief confident, and was a sharp fellow, did not fail to perceive the real motive; but professed to acquiesce in the ostensible. Some time afterwards as the esquire was declaring his ardent desire of having an opportunity of chastising both Mortimer and Hamilton, Clump standing at the window, informed him that an opportunity was arrived, for they both were entering the house. "I will go down, don't say a word against it, Clump." "I, please your honour, I am saying nothing against it." "However you may go down first, to see what is going on."—Clump in a few minutes returned, bear-in his hand a paper to the following effect:—

"Whereas, a peasant and clown named Bartholomew Blossom, cow-*keeper and horse-jocky, of Docktail