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"You may see how it happened plain eneugh," returned the boy, the brig brak, and the cart couppet."           "And did you and the horse coup likewise?"         said Mr Stewart.            O ay, we a' couppet thegether, for I was         ridin' on his back.            "And where is your father, and all the rest of the folk?"           "Whar sud they be but in the hay-field! Dinna ye ken that we're takin' in our hay? John Tamson's and Jamie Forster's was in a        wook syne; but we're aye ahint the lave."            Having learned from the boy that the hay-         field was at no great distance, I gave him some         halfpence to hasten his speed, and promised to         take care of his herse till he should return with         assistance.           He soon appeared, followed by his father and         two other men, who came on stepping at their         usual pace, "Why, farmer," said Mr Stewart,         "you have trusted rather too long to this rotten plank, I think," (pointing to where it had given        way;) If you remember, the last time I passed         this road, which was several months since, I         then told that the bridge was in danger, and         shewed you how easily it might be repaired?" "It is a' true," said the farmer, moving his bonnet; "but I thought it would do weel        eneugh. I spoke to Jamie Forster and John         Tamson about it; but they said they wudna         fash to mend a brig that was to serve a' the         folk in the Glen."