No body charged the governor with having a hand in this, or tampering with the justices, tho’ it was thought he could not have misliked it, as it would have saved him a world of trouble. The _same people_, a little while after, observed how unwholesome the fashion was of wearing _woollen cloaths_, that _linen_ coats were much better, and would come cheaper, as that manufacture was in plenty all over the north; and wanted a rule to be made, that the _exciseman_ should cutt the skirts off every coat made of wool, and the boys have liberty to squirt the kennel on them, as they do now on _callicoes_ and _cambricks_; but _Roger_ seldom changed the fashion _of his cloaths_, and told the projectors it would certainly throw the whole county into _agues_, and bring such _fits_ on them as all the _powder_ in _Mexico_ could never cure: So that project was never mentioned more; and, from that time, _Roger_ had so gained the good opinion of the justices, that for some years, all _whims_ and _projects_ seemed to be at an end, as they found he would never give into them. But all the while _Roger_’s credit with the justices was looked on with an evil eye, by many of the top men in the county, as well as neighbours in his own parish, who were trying under-hand to lessen it; but the first who set up openly against him was _Nim_, the _corporal_. He was a _cunning shaver_, and a notable _Jack at all trades_. He was first a foot Soldier, and a good duty-man, only he would play cards too _often on guard_. He was always at _putt_ and _all fours_, got most of his Comrade’s pay, and, in the end, stripped all his acquaintance. He was on the point of getting a halbert when he quitted the army. He married a rich widow; then another rich widow. He got by selling, got by buying, and every way money flowed in a-pace. He had lately bought a fine farm from _Roger_’s cousin, and almost bounded him. With this encrease of interest, he thought himself big enough to attack _Roger_ in his head quarters. Besides, he had concerns in other counties, monies in bank, and was twice the _better man_, as we say. He was moreover one of the _quorum_. He had a son, who was sent to see the world early, and learn fashions, and a clever person of a man he was, and a _beau_ among the play-houses and _dancing-schools_. _Nim_ laid a design to aggrandize his family, by marrying him to a daughter of the _new deputy_, who was quite a different kind of man either than _Slyboots_, or the last deputy; he seemed to desire nothing but _peace_ and _plenty_, and was as plain and _downright_ as any ordinary _Gaffer_; his friends would fain have him take state upon him, but he could not away with it. _Nim_ brushed up to him, told him how many farms he had; how many tenants; what an interest he had among the justices; that if he would let him manage his affairs he might _walk the fields_ from morning to night, and not trouble himself with business. He liked the proposal, (for he hated