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just put it to ye, neighbors, can any man keep time with such hinderances? Bain’t we full a’ready ? Who in the world can the man be?”

“He's a sort of gentleman,” said the school-master, his position commanding the road more comfortably than that of his comrades.

The stranger, who had been holding up his umbrella to attract their notice, was walking forward leisurely enough, now that he found, by their stopping, that it had been secured. Hie clothes were decidedly not of a local cut, though it was difficult to point out any particular mark of difference, In his left hand he carried a emall leather travelling-bag. As soon as he had overtaken tha van he glanced at the inscription on its side, asif to assure himeelf that he had hailed the right conveyance, and asked if they had room.

The carrier replied that though they were pretty well laden he supposed they could carry one more, whereupon the stranger mounted, and took the seat cleared for him within. And then the horses made another move, thia time for good, and swung along witb their burden of fourteen souls all told.

“You bain’t one of these parts, sir?’ said the carrier. “I could toll that as far as I could see ’ee.”

"Yes, I am one of these parts,” said the etranger,

“Oh? H’m,”

The silence which followed seemed to imply a doubt of the truth of the new-comer's assertion. “I was speaking of Upper Longpuddle more particular,” continued the carrier, hardily, “and I think I know most faces of that valley.”

“I was born at Longpuddle, and nursed at Long-puddle, and my father and grandfather before me,” said the passenger, quietly.

“Why, to be sure,” said the aged groceress in the background, “it isn’t John Lackland’s son—never—