The Highland monthly - National Library of Scotland

Willie Gillies. 137
vant of winter feed. The honest man's arguments are
not according to known facts, and truly it would need a
prophet to tell about the winter keep and after-grass so
early. He wants to cheat the sheepish seller, but will he
let him catch him if he can. That
manage it ? Ah !
innocent-looking man knows the prices obtained for every
lot sold, and those asked for every one to be sold. With
mingled candour and false simplicity he has wheedled
e\ ery neighbour out of his secret, and he is makinij an ass
of the red-faced buyer himself. He knows when he is
chaffering with the argumentative customer, that another
one who has already offered to a fraction what he requires,
is looking on, and resolving to give the full price as soon
as the red-faced man turns his back. So it goes on, the
sharper man making the best bargains, and gaining the
most praise.
The honest men, however, left their sharpness and
mutual reserve, suspicion and strategy on the hill-side.
When they met at dinner the secrets of the afternoon
transactions were all divulged, and dealers and bu}-ers
rallied each other upon their bargains. I believe real over-
reaching was not practicable nor attempted, but farmers
pride themselves upon being sharp at bargains, and those
that exceed their neighbours in disposing of their farm
produce, dead or living, attain respect and honour. We
had a plentiful dinner and plenty of toddy. I do not like
the native beverage and always drink sparingly, but I am
constitutionally inclined to be infected with the spirit of
the hour, and without drinking, I became on this occasion
as talkative ai;d happy as my neighbours. I had intended
to stay at the Clachan, but my friend would not hear of it.
So I left my horse there and went home with him in his
dog -cart.
My entertainer and myself slided, I do not know how,
into the confidential mood of old friends, although this was
only the second occasion on which we met. On the former
occasion, I met him officially, and found him rather dogmatic