honor; we've lived here so long we'll just stay ourtime in it."
"But the rent is heavy, you say."
"Well, we'll pay it, plaze God."
"And I'm sure it's a strange wild place in winter."
"Its wholesome, any how," was the short reply.
"I believe I must go back again as wise as I came," muttered thegentleman. "Come, my good old man,--and you, Owen; I want to know howI can best serve you, for what you've done for me: it was my son yourescued in the fair--"
"Are you the landlord--is yer honor Mr. Leslie?" exclaimed both as theyrose from their seats, as horrified as if they had taken such a libertybefore Royalty.
"Yes, Owen; and I grieve to say, that I should cause so much surprise toany tenant, at seeing me. I ought to be better known on my property;and I hope to become so: but it grows late, and I must reach the valleybefore night. Tell me, are you really attached to this farm, or have Iany other, out of lease at this time, you like better?"
"I would not leave the ould spot, with yer honor's permission, to get ademesne and a brick house; nor Owen neither."
"Well, then, be it so; I can only say, if you ever change your mind,you'll find me both ready and willing to serve you; meanwhile you mustpay no more rent, here."
"No more rent!"
"Not a farthing; I'm sorry the favour is so slight a one, for indeed themountain seems a bleak and profitless tract."
"There is not its equal for mutton--"
"I'm glad of it, Owen; and it only remains for me to make the shepherdsomething more comfortable;--well, take this; and when I next come uphere, which I intend to do, to fish the lake, I hope to find you in abetter house;" and he pressed a pocket-book into the old man's hand ashe said this, and left the cabin: while both Owen and his fatherwere barely able to mutter a blessing upon him, so overwhelming andunexpected was the whole occurrence.
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