Obadiah rose from his chair, and was about to descend the steps, when he was stopped by Watt, who hastily asked,

“What was your filly worth?”

“A hundred dollars is what I asked for her,” replied Obediah.

“Wait a moment!” and Dood rushed into the house, from whence he soon returned, holding some gold in his hand.  “Here’s the price of your filly; and hereafter let there be a pleasantness between us.”

“Willingly, heartily,” answered Lawson, grasping the proffered hand of the other; “let there be peace between us.”

Obadiah mounted his horse, and rode home with a lighter heart, and from that day to this Dood has been as good a neighbour as one could wish to have; being completely reformed by the RETURNING GOOD FOR EVIL.

PUTTING YOUR HAND IN YOUR NEIGHBOUR’S POCKET.

“DO you recollect Thomas, who lived with us as waiter about two years ago, Mary?” asked Mr. Clarke, as he seated himself in his comfortable arm-chair, and slipped his feet into the nicely-warmed, embroidered slippers, which stood ready for his use.

“Certainly,” was the reply of Mrs. Clarke.  “He was a bright, active fellow, but rather insolent.”

“He has proved to be a regular pickpocket,” continued her husband, “and is now on his way to Blackwell’s Island.”

“A very suitable place for him.  I hope he will be benefited by a few months’ residence there,” returned the lady.

“Poor fellow!” exclaimed Mr. Joshua Clarke, an uncle of the young couple, who was quietly reading a newspaper in another part of the room.  “There are many of high standing in the world, who deserve to go to Blackwell’s Island quite as much as he does.”

“You are always making such queer speeches, Uncle Joshua,” said his niece.  “I suppose you do not mean that there are pickpockets among respectable people?”

“Indeed, there are, my dear niece.  Your knowledge of the world must be very limited, if you are not aware of this.  Putting your hand in your neighbour’s pocket, is one of the most fashionable accomplishments of the day.”

Mrs. Clarke was too well acquainted with her uncle’s peculiarities to think of arguing with him.  She therefore merely smiled, and said to her husband:—­

“Well, Henry, I am glad that neither you nor myself are acquainted with this fashionable accomplishment.”

“Not acquainted with it!” exclaimed the old gentleman.  “I thought you knew yourselves better.  Why, you and Henry are both regular pickpockets!”

“I wonder that you demean yourself by associating with us!” was the playful reply.

“Oh, you are no worse than the rest of the world; and, besides, I hope to do you some good, when you grow older and wiser.  At present, Henry’s whole soul is absorbed in the desire to obtain wealth.”

“In a fair and honourable way, uncle,” interrupted Mr. Clarke, “and for honourable purposes.”