, 1864-04-16
Diamond Cut Diamond.

tHleNeSj anu, 1Or Tue cfcUlb OI Jne corps,
We would willingly believe il; but the fol-
lowing story, we think, will show that in.
stances of bad faith have been sometimes
known to occur even amongst them, to great
scandal Of the profession generally. p
At the period when the lucrative trade
Of thieving was in its high and palmy state
on the Borders, there fourished a certain
pair of gentlemen Of the road, called Wal
ter Laidlaw, or Watty o the Dykes, and
Richard Armstrong, or Hating Dick-a
soubriquet, this, which he derived from
slight lameness in one of his legs. These
two worthless were sworn brothers; yet
neither Of them would trust the other the
length Of stirrup leather. They knew
each other too well for that; but, as this
was n mutual understanding, it was no
cause of quarrel; and they got on remark
ably well, in defiance of political econo-
mists, without the smallest particle Of con-
fidence being between them. The bust
ness they did in the way limited at--fOr We
feel delicacy in employing broader terms
in speaking Of Walter and his friend Dick
was rather Of small kind; somewhere
aboutfourth or fifth rate, perhaps; although
they certainly did sometimes make hits that
would have done credit to the proudest
chieftain on the Borders. What trade,
however, they did carry on, whether great
or small, was, as often as possible, done
jointly; that is, their deprcdations--we
find We must use these ugly terms after all
were committed in partnership; but the
proceeds were regularly divided, and ap-
propriated by each separatelyj and as they
acted on alloccasions with perfect unanimity,
were extremely active and industrious, and
rarely called in any of the other brethren
to assist in their operations, their gains were
considerable. Over and above all this, SO
loving were this worthy couple, that when
ever the one heard Of q promising thing, or
had hit upon good idea, he always gave
notice Of It to the other; and the two gen.
orally set out together 10 see what could be
made Of it. 04
On one occasion, however, it happened
that Walter found Il inconyenient to ac-
company Dick on certain predatory cxpe-
dition Of high promise, Of which the latter
had given him the hint; and Dick was
therefore under the necessity Of going
alone. This he did; and the result, after
all, was most satisfactory. lie secured a
score Of excellent well-conditioned sheep.
These, Dick drove homewards during the
night, from distance Of good many
miles; but, Notwithstanding all the cxpc-
dition he could use, morning threatened to
break upon him before he could reach his
own house; and in this dilemma he de-
termined, though not without much rcluc-
tance, to quarter them with his friend Wal
ter, whose domicile lay in the way, until
the following evening.
1t was with great reluctance, as We have
said, that Dick came to this resolution; for
he had sore misgivings with regard 10 their
safety in Walters possession--in other
words, he by no means felt sure that he
would ever get them out Of his hands again,
as he had the highest opinion Of his isfrichd's
ingenuity in appropriating other peoples
goods, and Of his tenacity in holding them
when once in his grasp, whether they be-
longed to friend or foe. But, on this oc-
casion, there was no other course left him !;
so he deposited the sheep with Walter, who
congratulated hun on his success, and prom
ised to keep them snug and safe for him
till he came for them on the following
night.
On the following night, Dick came and
demanded his sheep.
"Shccp!" exclaimed Walter, with we'll
affected astonishmcnt. I" What sheep,
Dicky, my man, do 20 mean 2"
"What sheep, Watty, do / mean!" said
Dick, in real amazement. "The sheep
l left wi yc last night, to be surc!'
"Shcep ye left wi me, Dicky!r replied
Walter. "The dell cloot O sheep o yours
ever ] saw. The mans gitc!'
"Aro ye in jest or earnest, Wattyg" in-
quircd Dick, with increased amazement.
"Never was mair in earnest in my life"
said Watty, coolly.
ado you mean to deny that l left score
o sheep wi ye last night, and that ye prom
iscd to keep them safe for me till cam for
them! Do ye mean to deny thati" said
Dick, cmphatically.
"Most stoutly," replied watty, with the
utmost composurc. al Gamma confess to
what's no true. Ny conscience forbids
Inc to do that. haena now, nor ever had
a tail bclangin to yc, Dick"
"And yc mean to stan by that, through
thick aud thinT said Dick, with one of the
blankest looks Imaginable; for he saw that
his sheep were gone gear.
"That l d." replied the other. "Takc
my word for that. The dell a sheep ycsc
get frae me on ony sic silly prctencc as that
yc hae mentioned"
by this time, Dick had recovered a lit
tic; and, moreover, by this tine, also, a
bright idea had struck him.
"Vcra weel, Watty--yera weel, |" Id said,
with sudden cheerfulncss Of manner, that
not little surprised Watty himself; "you
and I'll no quarrel about twa or three
sheep. Keep them, in GUIDES name, and
frucklc guid may they do yc!" And DUR
ing the short time that the friends remained
together, subsequently, Dick made no fur
ther allusion to tho sheep, but spoke on
indifferent matters, as II nothing whatever
had happened.
E,r scIor yrfaks affar th:s fnaffere wenr