I asked who brought it, and was told it was the son of the potato-merchant, accompanied by a tipstaff.

I requested the pleasure of their company, and asked the legal gentleman what it was for.
"'Eighteen shillings for ten rabbits destroyed by your dog, and 4s.

6d.
for costs of court.' "'Ten rabbits!' exclaimed I; 'why, he only killed one.' "'Yes, sir,' squeaked out the young potato-merchant; 'but it was a doe rabbit in the family way; we counted nine young ones, all killed too!' "'Shameful!' replied I.'Pray, sir, did your father tell the court that the rabbits were not born ?' "'No, sir; father only said there was one doe rabbit and nine little ones killed.

He asked 4s.6d.for the old one, but only 1s.6d.

a-piece for the young ones.' "'You should have been there yourself, sir,' observed the tipstaff.
"'I wish Caesar had left the rabbit alone.