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army of them as there was! It was a real sight to see them.
“Which of you,” said the young squire, without making further words, “which of you all did this honest woman give my purse to?”—but there was no answer. “Well, I suppose she must be mistaken, unless she can tell herself.”
John’s wife at once pointed her finger towards the head footman “there he is,” said she, if all the world were to the fore—clargyman, magistrate, judge, jury and all—there he is, and I’m ready to take my bible-oath to him—there he is who told me it was all right when he took the purse, and slammed the door in my face, without as much as thank ye for it.”
The conscious footman turned pale.
“What is this I hear?” said his master. “If this woman gave you my purse, William, why did you not give it to me?”
The servant stammered out a denial; but his master insisted on his being searched, and the purse was found in his poeket.
“John,” said the gentleman, turning round, “yov shall be no loser by this affair. Here are ten guineas for you: go home now, but I will not forget your wife’s honesty.”
Within a month, John Carson was settled in a nice new slated house, which the squire had furnished and made ready for him. What with his wages, and the reward he got from the judge, and the ten guineas for returning the purse, he was well to do in the world, and was soon able to stock a small farm, where he lived respeeted all his days.
