For the last mile of the way, there had been a gentleman riding along in advance of Mr. Bolton, and as the horse of the latter made a little the best speed, he gained on him slowly, until, just as he reached the point where the road leading to his farm left the turnpike, he came up with him.

“Mr. Bolton, I believe,” said the gentleman, smiling, as both, in turning into the narrow lane, came up side by side.

“That is my name,” was replied.

“And mine is Halpin,” returned the other, offering his hand, which Mr. Bolton could but take, though not so cordially as would have been the case had the gate opening from his farm into Mr. Halpin’s been on its hinges.  “I have often heard my brother-in-law, Judge Caldwell, speak of you and your lady.  We promise ourselves much pleasure in having you for neighbours.  Mrs. Halpin and I will take a very early opportunity to call upon you.  How is all your family?”

“Quite well, I thank you,” replied Mr. Bolton, trying to appear polite and pleased, yet half averting his face from the earnest eyes of Mr. Halpin.

“We have had a beautiful day,” said the latter, who perceived that, from some cause, Mr. Bolton was not at ease.

“Very beautiful,” was the brief answer.

“You have been into the city,” said Mr. Halpin, after a brief pause.

“Yes, I had some business that made it necessary for me to go into town.”—­Another silence.

“You have a beautiful farm.  One of the finest in the neighbourhood,” said Mr. Halpin.

“Yes, it is choice land,” returned the unhappy Mr. Bolton.

“The place has been a little neglected since the last occupant left,” continued Mr. Halpin.  “And since your purchase of it, some ill-disposed persons have trespassed on the premises.  Day before yesterday, as I was passing along the lower edge of your farm,—­you know that, through some ill-contrivance, my right of way to the public road is across the south edge of your premises.  But we will talk of that some other time.  It’s not a good arrangement at all, and cannot but be annoying to you.  I shall make some proposition, before long, about purchasing a narrow strip of ground and fencing it in as a road.  But of that another time.  We shall not quarrel about it.  Well, as I was saying, day before yesterday, as I was passing along the lower edge of your farm, I saw a man deliberately break a large branch from a choice young plum-tree, in full blossom, near your house, that only came into bearing last year.  I was terribly vexed about it, and rode up to remonstrate with him.  At first, he seemed disposed to resent my interference with his right to destroy my neighbour’s property.  But, seeing that I was not in a temper to be trifled with, he took himself off.  I then went back home, and sent one of my lads over, in company with a couple of good dogs, and put the property in their charge.  I found all safe when I returned in the evening.”