“Plase your honor,” replied M'Evoy, “I can prove by them that's standin' to the fore this minute, as well as by this written affidavit, sir, that I offered him the full rint, havin', at the same time, as God is my judge, ped part of it afore.”
“That is certainly false—an untrue and malicious statement,” said Carson. “I now remember that the cause of my resentment—yes, of my just resentment against you, was your reporting that I received your rent and withheld your receipt.”
“Then,” observed the Colonel, “There has been more than one charge of that nature brought against you? You mentioned another to me this morning if I mistake not.”
“I have made my oath, your honor, of the thruth of it; an' here is a dacent man, sir, a Protestant, that lent me the money, an' was present when I offered it to him. Mr. Smith, come forrid, sir, an' spake up for the poor man, as you're always willin' to do.”
“I object to his evidence,” said Carson: “he is my open enemy.”
“I am your enemy, Mr. Carson, or rather the enemy of your corruption and want of honesty,” said Smith: “but, as you say, an open one. I scorn to say behind your back what I wouldn't say to your face. Right well you know I was present when he tendered you his rent. I lent him part of it. But why did you and your bailiffs turn him out, when his wife was on her sick bed? Allowing that he could not pay his rent, was that any reason you should do so barbarous an act as to drag a woman from her sick bed, and she at the point of death? But we know your reasons for it.”
“Gentlemen,” said the Colonel, “pray what character do M'Evoy and Smith here bear in the country?”
“We have known them both for years to be honest, conscientious men,” said those whom he addressed: “such is their character, and in our opinion they well deserve it.”
“God bless you, gintlemen!” said M'Evoy—“God bless your honors, for your kind Words! I'm sure for my own part, I hope though but a poor man now, God help me!”
“Pray, who occupies the farm at present, Mr. Carson?”