Page:Monthly scrap book, for July.pdf/8

8 taken snuff with his free companion. "Hae man, tak'a snuff, to be neighbour-like," said he; but on observing Edward's moderation in the use of the article, "tut, ye raw-callant," he added, "what for are ye feared at the sneeshin'? tak' a goupen o't, or I'se thresh ye." The argumentum ad hominen was not to be resisted; so passing it off with a laugh, Edward returned the mull collsiderably lessened in its contents. "Gude nicht" was given on both sides; the countryman rolled off, and Edward, with his enormous pinch between his fingers passed on.

It was about the middle of autumn when numbers of strange and dubious characters are to be met on country roads, and evening grey was putting on her sober livery, when Edward was again accosted, but in a different s'rain, by a swarthy fellow who carried a stout stick, and who, in no ceremonious way, with one hand seized him by the collar, and then endeavoured to trip up his heels. Edward, whose self-possession had left him on the suddenness of the attack, was soon convinced, by a pull at his watch, that his situation was no less desperate than real, so shaking himself free he was bestowing some hearty kicks on the rascal, when he closed with him, and being almost double his weight, both rolled to the earth. But when Edward found himself embracing mother earth, he received a fresh accession of strength, as did the Titans of old when they measured fists with Hercules; and though the fellow pressed his stomach very forcibly with his knee, he continued to hold his arms in such a manner as to render