In the early part of the present century a mason, whom, we shall name Jock Saunders, a Lanark worthy, was working with a farmer not over two miles from the village of Les m»hagow. The farmer had a horse affected with what is well-known as the " ill cauld ;" to he came out to Jock one day, and asked him if he would take the horse to Shotts Fair, which occurred the next day — for he knew that Jock w»s well up to such business. Jock agreed, and took the horse to the Fair, resolved to act on his instructions, and just take what he could get for it. He did not stand long in the market until an old farmer, also leading a horse, came up to him and asked if he would "swap." Jock fidgetted a little, and cmnily replied that he would ; bat, after scanning the horse, said he would require some "bute." Said the farmer, " I'll gi'e ye five pound if ye like." "Very weel," said Jock, "I think I'll just take it and get awa', for I've a lang road tae gang," so saying, the farmer took ont his pocket-book and handed Jock a five pound Hote. They then exchanged their borsis, and Jock came off, thinking that he had made a grand bargain. He was not long on the road until he found that his horse was completely "broken winded," but still he had the five pounds. When he got t j Car lnke he fell in with some acquaintances, and adjourned to tho nearest inn to drink a gill on the head cf the bargain. He had not much small money with him, and to pay the half mutchkin he gave the landlord the five pound note. The latter being a man of business habits, looked narrowly at the giver, and returning it, said "Man, that bank's broken aeven years since." Jock was no doubt taken down a little, but he paid for the drink with his other money, and re solved just to give the note to his employer and say nothing about Is. On returning

home he told the farmer how he had come on, and handing him the note, said, " He thouoht ib was not a bad deal after a." The farmer complimented him very highly, and gave him one pound for his trouble. 