Cuff’s four horrid snags of teeth have been mentioned. They were a source of continual annoyance to their owner, and the special aversion of Mrs. Cuff—his one defect, if the word may be permitted. Both thought—and their friends believed—that if the tusks were once removed and their place filled with a new and regular artificial set, he would be an elegant-appearing man. Cuff confessed to his boon companions that he knew the fangs did slightly detract from his beauty of countenance; and said if he had money to spare to fee the dentist he certainly might have them taken out, and a “dacint set put in the mouth!” When Fergus, on a certain occasion, thought of this, he cast a sly wink at McKenna, and said: “Now, Cuff, McKenna and I are your friends. We have noticed your anxiety about those teeth, and, with the assistance of Tom Hurley, Jack Gibbons, an’ some more, have got up a raffle, to come off two weeks hence, to raise twenty dollars for you, for the very purpose of getting a new supply!” “Yes,” said McKenna, taking the hint; “an’ it’ll not be long before the money’s all collected. Tom Hurley and I can raise most of it, I do believe!” Cuff was very thankful, believed all they said, and promised to have the four offending incisors extracted. In a short time Fergus informed the operative that Cuff, taking them at their word, had accordingly had the fangs taken out. “What I’m thinking of now,” said Fergus, “is where you an’ I will be afther hidin’ until Cuff gets over his anger! When he hears he has been sold, he’ll be as mad as Sam’s master!” “Then there was no raffle, afther all?” asked McKenna, innocently. “Sure, an’ you knew that all the time! What’s the use of your playin’ off ye didn’t, at this late hour?” “Oh, faith! I supposed you had got up a paper for Cuff, an’ I was ready to pay me share,” answered McKenna; but seeing that Fergus did not care to shoulder all the blame, he finally assented to an arrangement by which they were, for a few weeks, at least, to travel always in company, and never in the vicinities frequented by good old Micky Cuff. The raffle never came off—but the roof of Cuff’s house was nigh coming off with the solid imprecations that good but impulsive man indulged in when a neighbor informed him that McKenna and Ferguson had been playing a practical joke on him. No one in the place dared even look suspiciously at the horrid hole left in his jaws, without incurring his lasting displeasure. He went about his affairs with a more hideous countenance than he had sported before the doctor took away his tusks. Two men in Shenandoah never go to drink, play cards, sing and dance with Micky Cuff. When invited, they invariably decline. ————●———— CHAPTER XXIV. HOSTILITIES CONTINUED.