This person was the gauger of the district, a bachelor and a man of considerable wealth, got together, it is suspected, by practices that were not well capable of bearing the light.

His family consisted of a niece and a nephew, the latter of whom had recently become a bosom friend of the accomplished Hycy Burke, who, it was whispered, began to look upon Miss Clinton with a partial eye.
Hycy had got acquainted with him at the Herringstown races, where he, Hycy, rode and won a considerable sweepstakes; and as both young gentlemen were pretty much of the same habits of life, a very warm intimacy had, for some time past, subsisted between them.

Clinton, to whom M'Mahon was known, addressed him in a friendly manner, and, after some chat, he laid the point of his whip gently upon Bryan's shoulder, so as to engage his attention.
"M'Mahon," said he, "I am glad I have met you, and I trust our meeting will be for your good.

You have had a dispute with Hycy Burke ?" "Why, sir," replied Bryan, smiling, "if I had it wasn't such as it was worth his while to talk about." "Well, M'Mahon, that's generously said on your part--now, listen to me; don't allow yourself to be drawn into any illegal or illicit proceedings by any one, friend or foe--if so, you will only put yourself into the power of your enemies; for enemies you have, I can assure you." "They say, sir, there is no one without them," replied Bryan, smiling; "but so far as I am consarned, I don't exactly understand what you mane.
I have no connection with anything, either illegal or--or--wrong in any way, Mr.Clinton, and if any one tould you so, they spoke an untruth." "Ay, ay," said Clinton, "that may be so, and I hope it is so; but you know that it could not be expected you would admit it even if it be true.

Will you in the mean time, be guided by a friend?
I respect your father and his family; I respect yourself, M'Mahon; and, consequently, my advice to you is--keep out of the meshes of the law--avoid violating it--and remember you have enemies.