"
"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.
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