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JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK Printed at the Free Press Office, Aberdeen, DAVID DOUGLAS, EDINBURGH. LONDON . . . HAMILTON, ADAMS, AND C» GLASGOWCAMBRIDGE . . .. JAMESMACMILLAN MACLEHOSE. AND CO. SIXTH EDITION

JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK

PARISH OF PYKETILLIM

WITH GLIMPSES OF THE PARISH POLITICS ABOUT A.D. 1843

SBith a dlossarg

By WILLIAM ALEXANDER Author op •• Sketches op Life among my ain Folk ; ” “ Notes and sketches Ulusikattvp: of Northern Rural Life in the f.iohteenth Century," eto

EDINBURGH DAVID DOUGLAS v? D oaX o, :<-J77 ^ PREFACE TO THE SIXTH EDITION.

The first edition of “ Johnny Gibb ” was published in January, 1871, and the second followed toward the close of the same year. In 1873, the third edition was issued, with glossary, and the fourth in 1877. An edition, in royal octavo, with illustrations by Mr. George Reid, R.S.A., was published very early in 1880. The present edition corre- sponds, in point of style and typography, with the fourth. As has been said in this connection before, the continued demand for the little book is taken as an indication that the native character and pure Doric of Aberdeenshire still possesses a fresh interest for a very considerable number of readers. October, 1881.

CONTENTS, CHAPTER PAGE I. JOHNNY GIBB SETS OCT FOB THE WELLS, ... 9 n. THE JOURNEY TO THE WELLS, .... 14 1IL RUSTIC COURTSHIP, .19 IV. JOHNNY GIBB’S POLITICAL EDUCATION, ... 25 V. LIFE AT THE WELLS, 30 VI. MRS. BIRSE OF CLINKSTYLE, 35 VII. BACK FROM THE WELLS, 40 vm. TAM MEERISON FLITS, 46 IX. PEDAGOGICAL, 53 X. BENJIE’S CLASSICAL STUDIES 59 XI. THE KIRK ROAD, 64 XII. THE SMIDDYWARD PRAYER MEETING, ... 70 XIII. THE DISTRIBUTION MEETING—ECCLESIASTICAL OPINIONS, 77 XIV. TAM MEERISON’S PRIVATE AFFAIRS, .... 83 XV. SANDY PETERKIN’S SCHOOL 88 XVI. A START IN LIFE 93 xvn. SANDY PETERKIN IS WARNED, .... 99 XVIII. THE PUBLIC MEETING, 104 XIX. MEG RAFFAN, THE HENWIFE, 114 XX. MRS. BIRSE AND HER OWN, 120 XXL patie’s PLUSH WAISTCOAT, 125 XXH. MAINLY POLEMICAL, 129 XXIII. JONATHAN TAWSE AND DAWVID HADDEN, . . 134 XXIV. PREPARING FOR THE CONFLICT 139 XXV. THE GUSHETNEUK MEETING 144 XXVI. SANDY PETERKIN’S FORTUNE, 153 XXVn. MAINS OF YAWAL AT THE SYNOD 158 XXVIII. THE FREE KIRK OF PYKETILLIM, 163 XXIX. A CHANGE OF TIME, 168 XXX. MEG RAFFAN ENTERTAINS DAWVID HADDEN, . 172 XXXL THE ELECTION OF ELDERS, 176 CONTENTS. CHAPTER PAGE XXXII. DAWVID HADDEN VISITS AT CLINKSTYLE, . . .181 XXXIII. THE MERCHANT’S SHOP 186 XXXIV. DAWVID HADDEN REPORTS TO SIR SIMON, . . 191 XXXV. THE SETTLEMENT OF MR. MACCASSOCK, . . 196 XXXVI. THE “ SETTIN’ ” OF GUSHETNEUK, .... 202 XXXVII. CLINKSTYLE AGAIN 207 XXXVIII. MEG RAFF AN GOES TO THE SHOP, .... 212 XXXIX. patie’s wedding, 218 XL. THE “ NEWS ” OF THE MARRIAGE 223 XLI. THE MANSE SCHEME, 228 XLII. SIR SIMON INSTRUCTS DAWVID HADDEN, . .235 XLIII. DAWVID HADDEN CONSULTS THE HENWIFE, . 240 XLIV. JOHNNY GIBB DISCUSSES THE SITUATION, . . .243 XLVI.XLV. DAWVIDHAIRRY MUGGARTHADDEN MAKESGOES TO TWO “THE BUSINESS TOON,” CALLS,. . . 254248 XLVII. JOHNNY GIBB MAKES HIS WILL, ... 258 XLVIII. THE CLIMAX OF GENTILITY, 261 XLIX. THE CONCLUSION, ...... 266 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK.

JOHNNY GIBB SETS OUT FOR THE WELLS. “ §l|5?EELY,hin shelvin’ heely, Tam,o’ the yecairt. glaiket Fat stirk—ye hae ye beenhinna haiverin on the weat, minwin a? mileThat fae cauff hame. saick See’t ’ll be yertint belly-ban’ owre the backbe ticht door aneuch afore noo.about blaikinWoo, lassie! that graithMan, o’ ye yours, been an’makin’ kaimin a hantle the mear’s mair adeetail, nor “balancin’ Sang, that’s yer cairt,nae vera an’ gettin’ easy deen,the things I can packit tell ye, in wi’ till’t.” sic a mearmengyie ?” o’ them. Faur’ll aw pit the puckle girss to the “ Ou, fat’s the eese o’ that lang stoups ahin, aw wud like pleuchtae ken ryn ? there,Lay that an’ wupbit baukit ticht across, atween an’ the syne stays tak’ ; we the canna auP haecorn thepat beast’sye in ?” maet trachel’t amo’ their feet. Foo muckle “ FourWe’se lippies—gweed—mizzour—will lat it be deein. Is their trockthat dee a’ ?”in noo, I won’er“ Nyod, ?” seerly it is.” wasIt preparing was in the to setlatter out part on hisof annualJune, 1839, journey and to Johnny “ the Walls Gibb atduction Macduff.” to him, He employed, was, at thewith moment the assistance of the reader’sof his servant intro- man,starting Tam £« Meerison,The in time “yokin’ was 4.30the A.M.cairt,” preparatory to horseJohnny “haudin” Gibb onwas the theproperty tacksman of Sir ofSimon Gushetneuk, Frissal of a Glen- two- verysnicker industrious ; and he lifetimeand his onwife the had place. spent the greater part of a IO JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. Mrs. Gibb, in personal appearance, looked to be a woman preservation.somewhere approaching Dumpy in sixty, figure, in aninclining exceedingly slightly good to stateobesity of incoloured “ condition,” apple, andshe was,with nevertheless,cheeks of the understood exact hue toof bea high- “ far fae“ drows.” stoot;” Henceshe was,this yearlyindeed, resort “nervish,” to the Wellsand aptat Macduff,to take renownedcome to be for a necessitytheir restorative for her. andWhen invigorating Johnny Gibb virtues, had hadgov backedthe “ neeps into doon,”the water, he took where his theycarts were to the first mill-dam, well soaked had them and then“ neep scrubbed muck.” clean,And thenafter onethe defilementof the first ofthings, driving ordinarily, out the wasIn to theprepare district for where the journey Johnny to Gibbthe Wells. lived, they believed in the Wells, old and young of them. Elderly people, male and female,sea-bathing, went combinedto Macduff with to abenefit course by more the orbracing less rigorous effects of sea water taken internally, followed up by the mineral water of Tarlair ; sturdy bairns were taken thither in troops for the whosecure of complaints “ scabbit faces seemed ” and often “ sic not like of ;” a youths deadly and nature, maidens, went thereto the for Wells the asbenefit they ofcould his contrive“sair een to ;” get; Peter Jamie Tough Hogg to miti-went gatesion theto “gae“rheumatics doon throu” ;” Mains on ofbusiness, Yawal, whenactually he haddrove occa- his insquare order wooden-looking that he might gighave five the miles opportunity out of hisof merelydirect routeonce in“ dookin to rest ” and at Macduff.feed, and HeI recollect“ lows’t ” distinctlythe gig and seeing put his his horse tall gaunthe strode figure away in bottle-greenstraight down surtout, from the as, fisher despising town, ceremony, or rather thestanes ropery, ” till throughhe found hillocks water ofenough slippery to ware“ dook and ” in“ knablick; and a tediousoperandi walk of Mains’s he had, “ dookin for the ” was, tide that was he out. first laidThe aside modus his hathandful and theof “sea-ware” bottle-green scrubbed surtout, the and, upper by partthe aidof his of person.a good ofHe the then remaining resumed part the hatof his and garments, surtout, andcompleted divesting the himself opera- followtion in thethe prevailinglike fashion. custom The farm; and servants this, their even, belief, were had fain not to beenDrogemweal. discouraged The by doctor the physician had a semi-militaryreputation, in ordinary, the elder inas- Dr. JOHNNY GIBB SETS OUT FOR THE WELLS. II muchthreats as, of wheninvading the ourfirst Island Bonaparte and so was on, disturbingthe doctor peoplehad been by theattached “fencibles to the ” tolocal Fraserburgh militia ; and at the he timewas ofwont their to annualaccompany drill. soldierIt was relateddrink a ofquart-bottle him how ofhe seawould water make by waythe delinquentof punish- conservedment, believing the man’s that, constitution.while the thing To had his a latestpenal day,effect, when it also a unce“chap” o’ salts,”went and,to him if the for case advice, were hegrave, would would prescribe take out “ twahis to“ lance” go to andthe bleedWells himthe ; firstwinding opportunity. up by a generalAnd thus,exhortation in the Johnnyvery year Gibb before went that over of to which Pitmachie I am to about “ fee ”to a write,man, hewhen en- whocountered would asuit “ stoot his purposeyoung folia,” admirably from well,the Upperbut was Garioch, deter- minedpoun’ ” toand have a shilling“ sax poun’ of “ten arles,” ” of fee.after Johnnymuch “ offered threepin,” “ sax as athis last ultimatum. a compromise They was “ tuggit reached, an’ andruggit the ” bargainto no purpose, concluded, till than,on the aw “chap” ’ll tak’ thethrowing siller ; inbut this ye maunstipulation, gi’e’s “Weel,an ouk atweel, the WallsSuch aifter was the the neep repute seed.” of the Wells at Macduff in my day, placebut that all butis long totally ago unknown. ; and to me the modern Macduff is a continued“ Come Johnny awa’, noo Gibb, ; come in an awa’, impatient an’ nae tone—patience loss the mornin’,” was notthe cartJohnny’s was properlyprime virtue,—when packed and he adjusted. had satisfied His himselfwords were that addressed,“ hoverin’ ” inbetween the first the place, door andto Mrs. the kitchenGibb, whofor somehad time,been anotherone part onof Jinseher thoughts Deans, restingthe servant on Johnny girl, to and whom the cart,she con-and tinuedsure “ stillan’ plotto address ’er milk another dishes andweel, another in this exhortation, byous weather to be ; an’caller get mou’fu’, the kye an’ pitten win inoot afore ear’,” they so ranthat aheat;they might ” to see “ getthat a other“ the caufiesmatters warna that concernednegleckit,” the and proper give dueongoing heed of to the sundry place duringMrs. the Gibb absence was ofdressed its mistress. in a home-made grey wincey gown,“ mutch a very” (they precisely were old-fashioned made up and people very wellthe starchedGibbs), andclose a JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. tartan plaid that had been in the family for at least a genera- tion.with theShe help was of assisted a chair—Jinse, into the thecart trusty, with duebare-headed, ceremony, bare- and witharmed provisions maid, handing for consumption up after her on a reticulethe way, basket, and a crammedbig blue umbrella.“ Faur’s the lassie noo ?” quoth Johnny. Smiddyward,“ Ou, I gart to ’er see rin ’at roun’ Eppie the was neuk up, o’ an’ the nae wood keep’s a filie wytiu.” syne, to “ That ’ll dee. Go on, Jess,” and Johnny pulled the whip fromhame theafore britchen sindoon as the he morn’s spoke. nicht.”“ Ye may be luikin for me “ Weel, weel, tak’ care o’ yersel’s,” replied Tam Meerison, asand he “ turned tie his leisurelypoints,” beforeaway to he complete and the hisservant stable “ loon,”operations, who wasI not have yet not out yet of bed,described should Johnny call on JinseGibb’s for personal their “ pottage.” appear- ance, and, if the reader in the least cares to know, let me say broad,that he sun-tannedwas a short, countenance, thick-set man, whereof or “ manniethe shaggy ” rather, eyebrows, with prominentand somewhat features. large, He but was well-set slightly mouth, bow-legged, were not which the rather least home-spun,added to the crowned stability withof his a appearanceblue bonnet, ; forhis thoughdress was Johnny blue wasdue tonot the a conventionalitiesman who would ofaltogether society, heignore averred the thatdeference “ that hatswearin’ is athem perfect daily mertyreesin day.” And to sothe it heid,came oonless to pass them’t’sthat, ex- Johnny’scept on the hat occasion was seldom of a to funeral, be seen. or Andthe Communionmy private opinion Sunday, is usualthat, evenlimbo. on theseIt was occasions, such an uncouthlyit had been shaped, better brown, left in and its hehairy certainly structure, looked that much Johnny better was andhardly more recognisable “ gatefarrin under ’’ in his it; blueAs bonnet. Johnny strode stoutly on alongside of his bonny bay dew,”mare, andJess, the “ ilka “ orient blade sun o’ grass” just ”beginning tipped with to struggle its “ ain through drap o’ glimpsesmasses of ofgrey his cloud, face, andwhile to gildthe thelark tree poured tops withforth occasional his song thenoverhead hirpled in streams up the ofdykeside—the rich melody, andscene a straywas, hareundoubtedly, now and butone thefresh most enough, mouldy and and lovely ungrateful enough ofto humanstir the beings.blood of any JOHNNY GIBB SETS OUT FOR THE WELLS. 13 littleRound beyond the where comer a trotting of the woodburnie from came Gushetneuk, down the hollow, and a unpretendingthere stood a edifices,small hamlet, scattered consisting here and of there, about and half-a-dozen including thewith smith’s an old-fashioned and shoemaker’s “ toon placesloan ” fringedof abode by anda few workshops, large ash andrustic-looking plane-trees. schoolhouse, At the top and of theone loan or twothere small was “a rape-very thackithere, there ” cottages. stood waitingThis was the Smiddyward.arrival of the cart,By theEppie roadside Will, Jock,“ a widow a “ fite ’oman,” heidet ”and youth friend of fourteen of Mrs. or thereby,Gibb, her tender only eyed, son, withencased a bandage from head round to foot his inhead a suit longitudinally, of grey moleskin, and tightly gar- nishedgirl of aboutwith abundanceJock’s age, of dressed brass buttons. almost asWith quaintly them as stood Jock, a hamthough, frock with for feminine the occasion tact, withshe hada fresh set offnosegay her primitive pinned inging- the tagefront. of Inhim point ; in of contrast physical tofeatures, Jock’s too,rather she flabbyhad the face advan- and sheepishably called look, her, “ thehad lassie,” a face as which, Johnny though and Mrs. somewhat Gibb invari- high inpleasantness point of colour, of contour, possessed which, that inregularity a different of rankfeature, of andlife, wouldinto unmistakable have been held womanly to give promisebeauty. of“The ultimately lassie,” maturing whose beingname wasthe Marydaughter Howie, of parents was the whose niece poverty,of Mrs. ifGibb not ; theirand wills,in a sort, could the very adopted well consentchild of to the spare Gibbs, her, who she had had no become, family of theirJohnny own. Gibb stopped Jess, got the whole “ hypothec ” into again,the cart fairly ; and under then, waymounting for the the Wells. “ forebreist ” himself, started CHAPTER IL THE JOURNEY TO THE WELLS. F need were, I could describe the entire course of the But perhapsjourney to fromdo so Gushetneukwould be an toundue the Wellstrifling atwith Macduff. a busy public,as well whoseas for manner business, of istravelling, so different for now.health Theand “pleasure, railway systemstrings ”of had carriers’ not penetrated carts, jogging to Aberdeen on night andeven, day, then. each Long with sameits creel half atop, or whollyand here asleep, and thereand, aperhaps, jolly carrier a more lying watchful in the mastiffof the business under the ; andaxletree—these then there was did thethe mailheavy coach, and slow and part the rattling“ Tallyho,” “ Defiance,” for speedy and conveyance now and againof passengers, such a vehicle at the as aver- the cludedage rate ; alsoof eightthe “ Flyboat,”miles an hour,or “ Swift stoppages Gig Boat,” not always plying in-on the Aberdeenshire Canal, whose sideway draught, to the un- fortunatedexterously horses “ joukin that ” ran inward on the and bank, downward with a at“ laddieevery villain-” rider, crueltyously low to bridgeanimals. under which they went, was the extreme of forgotten,These thingsand the are idlest, not only laziest obsolete, man inbut the almost shire completely grumbles loudly at the unconscionably slow rate of those trains that do not Suchrun faster is the than progress twenty of miles the human an hour. race; not to speak of the electric telegraph which threatens to land us in a material millenniummandments, before and do we whatever have had else time advanced to abrogate minds the mayTen Com-think needfulcommensurate to getting with our the moral advance equilibrium of natural steadiedscience. at a point “ nearHowever, cut ” at I themust outset, return had to Johnnyguided Gibb,his cart who, and in its taking freight a fullythrough out, one and or put two as “ painfully yetts,” the in barsagain, of and which after he gaining took pain- the THE JOURNEY TO THE WELLS. 15 high road, had received the salutations of sundry servant lads, earlyalready out returning on their waywith toloaded the peat carts. moss, By-and-by, from which the they “ voya- were gersthe junior” had passedpassengers, out of that “ kent is to bounds say, for ”—bounds to Johnny “ Gibbkent ”the to waswhole the way delight was as of familiar the lassie as hisand “ oxterJock Will,pouch; as ” theand scenegreat thenchanged another, and changed,came in andview. first And one Johnnygentleman’s would seat, tell aiidthe namessketch ofof the these, owners. and, in sententious phrase, give a brief carle,“Ay, an’ weelay, the fells fader the sino’ for’im that,”was awas lang-heidit the remark schaimin in one ilkacase, ane and had in thetheir next, nain, “ AI wudnabraw hoose say nor that, the isnintlaird wud? But, hae an’ to forhoo’s“Eh, bitsirs: bonny sic nest.”a weary wardle,” said Eppie Will. “'Fa cud“ ’a The thocht tae ithalf ?” o’ oor lairds is owre the lugs in a bag o’ somedebt. eesefuI wud trade.” hae them roupit oot at the door, and set to deprecatory“Na, sirs,” “ Hoot ejaculated man !” Eppie; and Mrs. Gibb put in a pride,”“ Stechin pursued up aJohnny, kwintra “an’ side wi’them them, nedder wi’ their able peer to manage stinkin’ fortheir them. awcres Ye’re themsel’s, luikin, nor Jock; can ginget everither yefowk be thata factor, can loon,dee’t tenan’see an’ straucht leern the i’ the eese theets.” o’ the grun, an’ keep baith laird an’ Will.“ Eh,Jock John himself Gibb ; gavefor shamea soft tolaugh, the laddie,”looked askance,quoth Eppie and rubbedAnd thethus chaff they sack moved with on the mile palm after of mile.his hand. “ Gi’e the bairns a bit piece noo, ’oman,” continued Johnny, threechanging hours the ; theme,“ the like when 0’ theythem’s had aye journeyed yap, an’ for it a’ll matter be twal) of o’clock“ Hear ere yewe that win noo,doon Eppie to Turra ?” said to lowse.”Mrs. Gibb, affecting the jocular.“ Aweel, “ That’s sae be’t. to latIt’s ’imsel’ an ill get servan’ a gnap ’t’s nonae !” worth’s maet. beastHere’s a adrink, bit coblie an’ lat o’ ’er fine get clear a mou’fu’ caller o’ water girss ;till we’ll we seegi’e fat’s the i’ thatAnd bit so basketie.” Jess was set to the grassy bank, with a wisp of l6 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. thrownhalf-dried loose. hay strewnMrs. Gibbbefore produced her, and an the abundant “bearin’ store reins” of face,cakes with and severalbutter ready “ kneevlicks spread, ” and of tempting the cakes blue placed cheese. face The to partyfare, andregaled drank themselves of the caller sumptuously water to which on their“ Jess wholesome” had been treated.And, verily, he hath but an imperfect acquaintance with theat the true mode philosophy in which of Johnny locomotion, Gibb andwho his shall charge affect journeyed. to sneer anceGrant of but fresh fitting straw, company, and the favourableart of man weather,hath not a yet fair devised allow- landa more than rational by the and use truly of aenjoyable common method cart, drawn of “ voyaging by a willing ” by andto the intelligent Wells had cart an horse. intuitive Of perception; this truth allif reliancepractised on visitors it was tirenot, institution. indeed, essential And howto the well integrity they could of their furnish belief out in thethe cart en- forwho the journeyed comfortable therein accommodation ! Time would and fail sustenance me to speak of of those the thecompendious vehicle. outfitI recollect they couldwell seeingstow awayone arrivalwithin andof a aboutlarge cartfamily, with the roughhead boardsof which till had he “had boxed achieved up ” the a kindsides ofof two his andstoreys, the theupper ground one thefloor live containing passengers sundry ; and kitchen he had utensils,actually wasbuilt an in extremea fixed stairexperiment, in the hindand thepart usual of the mode cart! was But simply this to packResuming well on their the basisjourney, of the the cart party itself. plodded on through townthe romantic of Turriff, den with of itsCask, bleachfield and down along on thethe handsomequiet burn side,little alongand its and common gradually herd, gathered who “ touted out the ” histown’s horn kine as heto wendedfeed on the Atpleasant Turriff, haughs Johnny adjoining. “lows’t” the mare, and put up for re- discussedfreshment aat gill the of Black the national Bull Inn, liquor, where very he amicably, and the between hostler bottlethem. ofAs “mulled” the “ gentlest porter ”; and,drink leaving for the them ladies, to siphe calledand sip a sandedof the samefloor andin the crockery-shop little back parlourstatuary, of he the sallied Inn, forthwith itsto toexhibit point the out lions to them of the the place “ Toon’s to the Hoose; youngsters, ” and notthe “omitting Cross,” THE JOURNEY TO THE WELLS. 17 the geographical position of which he took care to explain, as popularequally distich—distant from Aberdeen and Elgin. As saith the “ChooseEither gangye, choise to Aberdeen, ye, at the or CrossElgin 0’0’ Turra,Moray.” That was a delightsome road down by Knockiemill, and glenalong House,the pleasant Denlugas, banks andof the so Deveron,forth. Thisin full Johnny view of GibbFor- knew,do not andknow he that preferred he escaped it to “ thea toll toll by road adopting ” accordingly. this route, I byfor thethere man was who a passport went through system the in Turriffforce in bar those was days, armed where- with awithout ticket thatpecuniary gave himmulct. the Howeverprivilege ofthat passing may be, the the next water- bar mateside road consideration was chosen surely as the with more those picturesque—a who travelled most for healthlegiti- turnpikeand pleasure. road forUp somethey camemiles, again and nearagain by divergingEden, along to the right,till the on hill-top Johnny was and reached his cart ; when, went lo!under there the lay westering before them sun, theand calmhere blueand theresea, with on itsslight bosom ripples a brave of white schooner here and scudding there, brownalong thesail Firth,newly withhoisted, fully speeding spread canvas,away from or athe boat, harbour with fullymouth visible ; wherein as the lay eye sundry wandered craft, the inward top-masts over ofthe which irregular were thefield long of red-tiled steep street roofs, leading and settled down toon the the shore. vista afforded by admiration.“ Eh, that’s the sea!” exclaimed the lassie in a rapture of “ Is’t the sea, mither ?” said Jock, not quite assured. “ It’s surely“ ’Deed nae thatan’ it’scolour jist ?”the saut sea, whaur mony ane’s gotten a watery“Divnin shrood.” ye see the ships sailin’ on’t?” said the lassie. “ Weel,But they they’re ’re maybe nae vera hyne muckle awa’.” anes,” replied Jock. desirous“ Ho! of but vindicating a muckle hisship nautical sud hae knowledge,three masts,” “an’ said nane Jock, o’ that“Will has mair we getnor a twa.” sail on’t ?”was the lassie’s next question. alane“ ’Serve’s, the fear lassie,o’ the boatye little coupin ken an’ fat you ye gyaun ’re speakin’ to the boddomo’. Lat i8 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. o’ness.” the sea,And ye Mrs.wud seenGibb, be as asa warningdeid’s a todoor the nail young wi’ peoplesea-sick- to bewaredeep, related of trusting how, themselveslong ago, whenon the Johnny bosom ofand the she heaving were himselfyoung, and and Johnny his wife headstrong conveyed and from reckless, Macduff he to-would Banff have by boatwater; rising and up what and of down peril onand its fright very the ends, voyage and involved,leaning over the tillthe themonster spray ofactually a skipper “ skirpit sat coolly” her face,at his while, helm to laughing crown all,at her Asterror. this crack went on in the cart, Johnny stumped along searchby Jess’s of head,any stray scanning “ kent the face.” countenances By-and-by of those his eye he met,caught in a formal inscription, in the usual street-corner style, “ Duff “Street.” The fowk “ o’Fat this whigmaleerie’s place wud ca’ this their noo vera ?” tykesquoth aifterJohnny. the Yerl—Duff o’ Fife.Street; This fat issorra fat weither.” hed ees’t to ca’ the ‘ Main Street’ the TheWells, explanation the good was people that, ofsince Macduff Johnny’s had last adopted journey the to theirmodern streets. practice It wasof systematicallythen in the region naming of Marketand numbering Street, I thatdo not Johnny say that found it was a lodging-housein that particular for thoroughfarehis charge. Theiritself, followedlandlord thewas gallantDonald Abercromby M'Craw, a blind into oldEgypt, pensioner, and whose who had in- dame’sdustrious school helpmeet in the occupiedkitchen of her their leisure habitation. time inAnd keeping while a noisyshe energetically charge, the pursuedblind Donald her pedagogical was wont dutiesto sit amongin his armher chairgoing inon, the and corner, always a readynot uninterested at an emergency listener to cometo what in wasfull enceshout or with silence, his military as the caseword might of command be. to enforce obedi- CHAPTER IIL RUSTIC COURTSHIP. ^'AM MEERISON had been servant to Johnny Gibb only from the term of Whitsunday, that is to say, for about ing.three weeksHe was previous a stout tofellow the dateof six of or which seven I andhave twenty, been writ-with aing broad, whiskers good-natured of light complexionface, and straggling, fringing hisbut cheeks.very promis- On hisdownward head he on wore his aperson sort of you nondescript found a remarkablyblue bonnet, substantialand going atsleeved the knees, vest ofand moleskin spreading and somewhat a pair of aboutcord trousers,the ankles, narrow with about“ beetikin” half-a-dozen on either buttons foot. atThe bottom servant overhanging lass, Jinse theDeans, heavy a beensedate-looking, a resident atred-haired Gushetneuk damsel for aof couple fully ofTam’s twelvemonths age, had by-gone;two were masterand when and mistressJohnny hadof the set place out forfor thethe time Wells being. the alongTam pursuedwith the his“ orra work man,” industriously Willie M'Aul, afield a through youth of the sixteen day, orsix seventeen,o’clock p.m. and had son come, of theTam souter incontinently of Smiddyward. “ lows’t.” WhenThen tookcame in supper company, of kail amid and no kail little brose, badinage, of which consisting the three mainly par- . bilities,of equivocal from complimentsWillie M‘Aul, to orJinse as he on was her morehousekeeping commonly capa- de- i signaled,fitly described “ the asloon,” “a whorcyVnickum.” was of that Tam particular next lighted character his pipewatched and Jinse blew “washing clouds of up” smoke her todishes, the kitchenan operation roof, aswhich he Jinsenoise invariablythat made performedthe beholder with marvel an amount how itof happenedclattering thatand throughshe did nother breakhands. at leastWhether one half Tam of was the crockeryadmiring asJinse’s it passed dex- teritysay ; Iand rather vigour think, in goingat any through rate, that her Jinse work was or not not altogether I cannot 20 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. unconscious that she was making a considerable display of finished,these qualities when, beforeaddressing the new“ the ploughman. loon,” she said— At last she had milket.”“ Gae ’wa’, ye haveril, an’ fesh hame the kye, till I get them ““An’ Gin fatye ’llget aw fat get ye fordeserve, that, Jinseye winna ?” braig aboot it.” “ YeWud ’re yea bonny gi’e’s aablich kiss ginto seek aw war a kiss. to dee’tI ’se ?” rug yer lugs G ye gin ye dinna gae this minit.” loon”“ Hoot retreated man, ye’vetowards nae the pluck door ava,” to exclaimedescape from Tam, Jinse, as “who the word.had shown “ Ganna a distinct ye tak’ intention a grip o’ ’erof ?”suiting the action to the fin”t“ Ishe’s wudna a sauter,” advise repliedyou to Willie,dee that, as heTam, marched or ye’ll off maybefor the cows.Later in the evening, when the cows had been milked, theconcluded, calves properlyJohnny attendedGibb’s three to, and servants the work were of theto daybe fullyseen loiteringclatter.” aboutTam, the who kitchen was door,seated and on talking the big over “beetlin’’ the “ countra stone bed,by the and door had cheek, given “had the spokenloon ” emphaticonce and warning again of of going the ex- to pediencypend on itof that his he,immediately Tam, would seeking pull him repose, out asof hethe might blankets de- byNotwithstanding the heels if he hiswere urgency not up with by five“the o’clock loon,” next Tam morning. himself asdid “ not the giveloon ”any failed distinct to “ obtemperindication ” ofhis hurrying repeated to hints, bed. heBut at lastway startedand up tothe his trap feet, stair and to wentthe “clanking chaumer across” over thethe stable.cause- And,once whileand again “the portentously.loon” proceeded He to then, undress, very Tam deliberately, yawned woundgan, by-and-by, up his watch, to “ sowff and, ”seating over “ himselfMy love on she’s his but“ kist,” a lassie be- yet.”and, underWhen pretence he had gotof going Willie to fairly the stable, into bed, slipped Tam downnext rose, the trapsure thatand Willieout by M‘Aulthe door, would which not hefollow quietly him. locked In somewhat to make lessDeans than were two seated minutes side thereafter, by side onTam the Meerison“deece” andin Johnny Jinse Gibb’sI don’t kitchen. know all what Tam Meerison said to Jinse Deans RUSTIC COURTSHIP. 21 thatlovers summer are hard “ gloamin.” to catch. HowNor should am I Iable ? The to saywhispers how farof Johnnythat took Gibb place would on this have occasion, approved in his of absence,the sort betweenof sederunt his thisservant was maidnot the and first his timeservant that man. Jinse Buthad certainbeen wooed it is inthat a wooer,similar manner,certainly, and for inuntil that three same weeks place. agoNot she by hadthe samebeen utterlyAt anyunaware rate, ifthat Jinse such saw a man no harmas Tam in receivingMeerison aexisted. little at- hertention company from an the additional reverse sweetheart,of disagreeable. Tam, evidently,The time found fled hadswiftly worn past, on asto twelveit is wont o’clock, to do to inone such o’clock, circumstances. and the lonely It ; note,corncraik, to break which the hadstillness so long of the kept summer up its twilight,rasping, hadyet cheeryat last i; ceasedquiet could its cry, be, andwhen gone footsteps to sleep. were surelyIt was heardstill andapproaching quiet as the “house Wheest!” of Gushetneuk. exclaimed Jinse, in a low whisper. “ Fat’s that“ ?—INonsense,” hear a fit.”said Tam, “ It’s some o’ the horse i’ the park at the“ It’s back naething o’ the hoose.” o’ the kin’. Here, I say—there’s some- i bodyminit!” cornin’ whispered up the Jinse, close in ! greatIn anethexcitement. the deece wi’ ye this '! not Tamthat felthe likedthere thewas idea nothing of doing for it butit, or to thatdo as his he judgment was bid ; !j butwas hefully failed convinced in getting of the up propriety any valid of thenegative course to prescribed, oppose to hortation,Jinse’s urgency Tam proceeded; and so, givingto squeeze way his to inconveniently-bulky the force of her ex- datedperson brooms,under the and “ deece,” “ sic like,”among with a horde all the of oldcelerity shoes, he dilapi- could achieve.shoulders And of some he was person not a weremoment already too soon, dimly for discernible the head and at theat the front back window. wall. A Thetap ordeece two stoodon the opposite pane were to thisimmediately window, heard,Now, followed Jinse’s by position a loudly-whispered at the moment “Jinse a !”little awkward. WithTam’s womanly retreat, whichtact she had had been remained accomplished by the deecewith tolerableto cover staringsuccess through; but here the thereuncurtained were one,window, if not and two there pairs wasof eyes yet 22 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. light enough to enable the owners of those eyes to follow the whereabouts,movements of if anythey onehappened inside, to and be fullyeven into view discover of the theirwin- dow, which the occupant of the deece unluckily was. She kepthesitated, up, “Jinse,yet remained I'm sayin’, still; butJinse the !” callJinse’s was persistentlywits could silencescarcely under have thebeen increasingly-violent calmed to the point demandof keeping of thecontinued assail- ants of the window to have audience of her ; to pretend that toshe knock was in over bed one was or hopeless, two chairs and and so, stoolsstarting —not up ina abad fashion feint mandedeither—Jinse what advancedthe midnight to thebrawlers window, wanted. and indignantly de- aul’ “cock Ou, theJinsie, nicht. ’oman, We dinnaken brawly tak’ the that huff—nae Gushets fear an’ ’so’ wife the tee’s“ Futherawa’ fae they hame.” be awa’ fae hame or no, ye hae nae bizness cornin’“ Wus here ye at sleepin’ this time terrible o’ nicht soun’, disturbin’ Jinse ?” fowk.” Gushetneuk“Sleepin’l” sleeps exclaimed noo oot o’a theirsecond beds, voice; an’ wi’ “the a’ their fowk claes o’ on!”“Gae’wa’ And at this this minit, sally ofI tell wit ye,”the twoexclaimed men laughed Jinse, loudly. with in- creased“ I wauger vehemence. she has a man wi’ ’er, the jaud,” was the only replyJinse, that whoproceeded either didfrom not the hear, first speaker.or pretended not to hear, arethis yeremark, wuntin then, here, in I’m a rather sayin’ less ?” indignant tone, asked, “Fat ither,”“ Fat said are the we voice wuntin that ! hadWuntin spoken in most. tae see ye, Jinse ; fat “But, Gae at awa’ this hame,juncture, I tell Jinse, ye.” to her great horror, heard the latchcourse of had the neverdoor beensoftly locked, lifted, evidentlyand the opening—adoor itself, whichdoubtful of locksmiths.”illustration, I Beforedaresay, she of could the sayinghinder thatit the “love two menlaughs were at ; wellinside, known and advancingto Jinse to towardsbe two theof thekitchen. servants They at the were farm quite of beenMains “ hereof Yawal—one afore ”—but, of forthem, all this,indeed, it was averred decidedly that he incon- had j venientof searching to have out themthe man in the who, house as they with asserted, the avowed was intentionthere be- fore them, and all to see “ fat like” he was. RUSTIC COURTSHIP. 23 demonstrative“ Faur hae yeof thepitten two; ’im “ noo,jist tell’s,Jinsie ’oman—we?” exclaimed winna the more hurt ’im.”“ I say !” cried Jinse, excitedly, endeavouring to push him back.“Jock, min,” continued the man, addressing his friend, yewho come had bennot yetan’ emergedgi’e Jinse from the fawvourthe “ trance o’ yer ; company.” “Jock, cannaOh- hoacross, ! he and’ll be openedi’ the bed,the doorsI wauger,” of the and “bun” the bedfellow in dartedwhich andJohnny excitement, Gibb’s servant partly maidperhaps slept. as aPartly stroke through of policy, vexation Jinse hadtormentor, now resort failing to to a findwoman’s the manlast defence—herhe had groped tears. for in Herthe bed,her round and with the his neck. compunctions slightly stirred, perhaps, seized comforter,“ Weel-a-wuns, “ we’se lat than, ’im rest’s Jinsie,” banes exclaimed in peace an’the quaetness; equivocal ” sayingcame downwhich onhe swungthe deece Jinse with round, ponderous and they force. both togetherNow, Johnnyon the whole, Gibb’s diddeece, yield though slightly, a substantialperhaps, under piece severe of furniture pres- it,sure Tam ; and, had moreover, unsettled inthe the deece process from of pushingthe two himselffragments under oi' wasthin that,slate inasmuchon which asits Tamfront Meerison legs stood. was Thebulky result enough of this to requiretween thein anydeece case seat all and the theaccommodation floor, the “doosht” he could of find the twobe- personssuch violent falling contact on it hadwith the a three-cornered effect of bringing ironing his percon “ heater,” into whichvoluntary happened “ Go-ch to !” bewith under considerable him, that emphasis. Tam uttered The an gene- in- beingral noise heard going ; but, on as fortunatelyTam lay there prevented a very closethis exclamationprisoner in- gathereddeed, without on his the brow power plentifully, of stirring and a hair’s-breadth, he began seriously the sweat to reflectnow also what taken was his to seatbe the on endthe deece,of it, for and the horrible second pictures man. had of beinghoped squeezedthe deece as would flat ashold a skateout, and rose so in long his asmind it did ; still so, he halfmight the hold super-imposed out too, seeing burden he tocertainly sustain. had not more than a halfNo had doubt elapsed it was before a weary Jinse lie managed for Tam, to for get a fullrid ofhour the andtwo 24 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. him,intruders. Tam hadIn the pleasurecourse of of the hearing conversation his sweetheart overhead ques- of himself,tioned in under a very the directtitle of and “ Gushets’ unceremonious new man,” fashion the interro- about leukingator adding,hurb, at as ony his rate.” own privateIt need opinion,hardly be“He’s said thata queer- Jinse answered discreetly in the circumstances. her Whencompanion the unsought exchanged visitors some wordshad left, of mutualI daresay congratula- she and andtion theand feelingscomfort; of butboth day-light Tam and was Jinse already had been showing too rudelyitself, disturbedto a quiet toand admit loving of their conference. settling downTam againhung atabout that fortime a littlewidely after of giving he had the risen two fromdisturbers below ofthe his deece, enjoyment and spoketheir the“ kail stable, throu’ and the crept reek cannilysome day,” up the and “chaumer then he slipped” stair. outTam to had hopeddeposited to get the quietly last article to bed, of athis any removable rate ; but, garments just as onhe hisin amongst “ kist ” lid,“ the and plaids,” stood hisin nocturnalbed-fellow, attire, Willie ready M‘Aul, to turned creep himselfye ’re a withgey boy,a drowsy cornin’ “ grane,”to yer bedand atmuttered, three o’clock “ Ay, i’ ay!the inornin’.”“Haud yer jaw, min !” was Tam’s abrupt response. CHAPTER IY. JOHNNY GIBB’S POLITICAL EDUCATION. fHEobtained reader awho sort has of followedgeneral notionme thus of farJohnny has, I Gibb’shope, joggingcharacter; leisurely but, whilehome thefrom worthy Macduff farmer in theof Gushetneukcart all alone, is leavingshould returnhis charge again tofor enjoy them, theirI may eight-days’ be allowed bathing to indicate till he a littleIn further point of the worldly stamp circumstances of man that Johnny the goodman was. of Gushet- reasonably-conditionedneuk, by dint of honest old industry “ tack,” andhad comethe possession long ago toof be a butvery tocomfortable. what figure Hehis hadwealth the repute,really reachedindeed, ofnobody being couldrich ; exactlygoodwife say, belonged or even to very that definitely worthy andguess, unsophisticated because he and order his of people—nowwealth brings becoming no change rare, either I fear—with in tastes orwhom habits increase of life. Johnny’stuously furnished table was than not, itin had any been noticeable thirty degree,years before, more sump-when heban’s.” began He life still on duly little every beyond morning the meresat down “lawbour by the o’ little his backspoken, table and onhaving the putkitchen aside deece, his bonnet whereof and Isaid have grace, already took upwooden his horn “ caup,” spoon the and milk “ suppit”that seasoned his porridge it being from contained a dainty in anda smaller the lads “ timmer at the luggie.”front “dresser” The only was, difference that Johnny between had himtea, andan’ breid” oat cakes only and on butterSabbath daily, mornings. whereas At the Klyack, lads got Yule, “ butter and otherthe same festivals, table, masteralong with and sundryservant invited feasted guests, royally usually together from at amongmoreover, the was residenters of exactly at the Smiddyward. same type as Johnny’sit had ever clothing, been ; indeed,since he some was piecesa young of itman. still extantWhat and is inyet use more had beenwonderful, worn 26 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. when we think of the general habit of the prosperous part of “society cutting in ” thisan oldparticular, acquaintance Johnny because had never of the once stigma dreamed attach- of ing to him on account of his poverty. There was he, a man independentperfectly “ independent” in his opinions in pecuniaryand feelings), matters who (andcertainly not hadless hinted,a very good had, balance under a at strong his banker’s, appeal, and, at one as was time pretty actually broadly lent accostmoney anyto his “ dyker” laird, orand “ ditcher”who yet, in at the kirk parish or market, on terms would of perfectseem in equality. the least toThe lower odd Johnny thing, too,in the was respect that all of this these did poor not folks,they werewho acceptedsometimes his disposed opinions to with accord greater to peopledeference making than muchIn higherpolitics, pretensions. Johnny Gibb was what would be called an beenadvanced invented Liberal,—only then. When the theterm, first I Reformrather think,Bill was had under not tionsdiscussion, in its favour.he became The conspicuous smith and theby souterhis vehement of Smiddyward declara- forhad mutual been wont edification, to meet all and the discussRadical theopinions subject, they and could to read, find incasual print hearer, in the serialand, by literature and by, of a thenot time.inapt pupil.Johnny Andbecame thus, a Johnnywhen the went Bill downhad passed, to the pollingand a contested place at electionthe “ Broch,” had come, and whothrew had up riggedhis blue out bonnet the “ toon’s among ” drummer the excited to headburghal their crowd, scat- tered“ Bruce procession for ever ! andGordon beat never for victory. !” and, inHe place stoutly of accepting, shouted likedirections the other of his newly-enfranchised laird, Sir Simon Frissaltenants of“ inGlensnicker, the lan’,” the to votethe pollingfor “ Captain place remindedGordon,” heSir resented Simon, thein hintvery given,plain andterms, at that“ theyStep twoforward, stood John,” now, politically,said the rather on an pompous equality. laird, when inclinedthey met toat hang the fronton and of see the whether polling-table. his presence Sir Simon would wasnot overawe“ Savin’ his yerrefractory presence, tenant sir,” even said at Johnny, the eleventh “ I wud hour. raither gi’e you the prefairence.” “ Weel,Step forward,” weel, sir,” said was the the laird, reply,—“ severely. to please you. We ’re a’ voters alike noo, ye ken, Sir Seemon—ay, ay, we’re a* JOHNNY GIBB’S POLITICAL EDUCATION. 2? alike noo. Fa is’t, said ye ? —Sir Mykaeal Breece !” shouted Johnny,the nose in of the his ears frowning of his laird.astonished Then neighbours, Johnny clapt and onunder his bonnet,Johnny and Gibb’sstrode awaypolitical out opinionsunconcernedly. undoubtedly damaged his ecclesiastical prospects. The eldership in the parish, toapart two from members, Jonathan whereof Tawse, one the was schoolmaster, much incapacitated had worn by down old best,age and seeing deafness, that he and not the unfrequently other was butgot anpublicly unstable tipsy pillar on the at market-day,in a neighbour’s and haddung-hill been onknown his wayto ride home, his ponyand then, belly-deep when theshout animal to some could supposed get no furtherwaitress, on, “sit Anither up in thehalf-mutchkin, saddle and andlassie!” the eyesThe necessityof not a few of recruiting were directed the eldership to Johnny was Gibb patent, as oneRoderick fit and M'Aul, suitable the person souter; for but, the in office.those days,Others in thehinted parish at ship.of Pyketillim, Besides, we the liked souter to select was menreckoned of substance very wild for inthe his elder- re- ligiousa Sunday-School, opinions, inasmuch and was believed as he had to maintainagitated thefamily question worship of in hisThe household. parish minister, the Rev. Andrew Sleekaboot, was a tremelyvery peaceable well to manhave inhis the own main, way, albeit which, a indeed,man that he generallyliked ex- got,to him amongst before his by parishioners. Jonathan TawseThe ideathat, had in beenorder suggested to keep Johnnyshould haveGibb him docile made and an submissively elder; and attachedMr. Sleekaboot to the Kirk,was not he aberrationsindisposed toon thinkthe part that of thisJohnny, might who have had preventedbeen guilty certain of the “irregularity missionar” of minister, hearing thatand evencame entertainingto the quarter as occasionallyhis guest a onas knownthe invitation in that ofregion, the souter—a had ever thingpresumed which to no do. elder, But so now far politicalthe daring opinions course andtaken wishes by Gushetneuk at defiance infairly setting staggered his laird’s Mr. disciplineSleekaboot, in andthe matter.he determined So he preachedto try the a sermoneffect of ostensibly indirect onbut the in whichqualities his ofmain those strength fitted wasto hold expended office in picturingthe Church, the anydreadful manner offence of way of ”which to be theysubject were to guilty“ the whopowers refused that be.”“ in 28 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. The allusions, though rather laboriously roundabout in their laird,putting, Sir were Simon clear Frissal, enough who, to being the meanestin the quarter, capacity. had comeThe “to pumphel countenance ” seat, the as occasion,it was called and bywho, the fromirreverent his boxed-in, youth, had or pronouncednodded approval it “ an frequently excellent during discourse,” the delivery and spoke of the vaguely sermon, of rishionersgetting it waspublished. of this sort,The “ generalNyod, didnin remark he amongtak’ a geythe flingpa- inat forthe a’lectioneerin’ bit scaad yon’er.” the day ?” “ Aw doot Gushetneuk cam’ deliveryJohnny of Gibbthis famousmet Mr. discourse, Sleekaboot when in a Johnnyday or two bluntly after theac- costed“ Weel, him Ithus daursay :— ye thocht ye hed me o’ the steel o’ re- pentance“John on ! JohnSunday, ! what sir do?” you mean by that ?” coorse“ Ou, was brawly mair ken like ye a that,hash sir; o’ Toryye ’re poleetics,nae so blate—yer nor an dis-ex- poondin“John! o’ thelet Gospel.”me warn you,—these Radical and irreverent notions“ That’s of yours preceesely can end fat in ye no taul good.” me fae the poopit on Sun- day, sir.” upon,“ I thosesimply general deduced principles from the that passages ought ofto Scriptureguide men founded in cer- tain“ relations Maybe; ofbut life.” I think, wi’ a’ respeck, it cudna be countit mucklesome o’ theshort remarks o’ a wrestin’ as ye did.”o’ the Word o’ Gweed to apply severity,“ Mr. “that’sGibb,” asaid style the of Rev. remark Mr. I Sleekaboot,have not been with accus- some tomed“ Sae to mucklefrom any the parishioner.” waur for ye, maybe,” was the undaunted reply.“ Will you be kind enough to condescend upon any re- addedmarks theof mineminister. that were not warranted by the Scripture ?” poo’ers“Weel, that sir,”be, an’replied the dutyJohnny, o’ absolute “ye made subjection a hantle to o’them. the upNoo, either sir, latthe melaird tell orye thethat minaister the Apos’le as anenever o’ theinten’et poo’ers to or-set approvedeen’t to so bear muckle rowle o’. owre’sThe lairdi’ the jistfashion sets methat a bitye seem’tgrun, an’to JOHNNY GIBB’S POLITICAL EDUCATION. 29 as lang as I keep my bargain an’ pay my rent, he has nae biznessfor the minaister,wi’ maitters I gi’eo’ conscience, him a’ due temporaldeference or as spiritooal. my spiritooal As theinstructor, text that gin he he s’all pruv be ’imsel’‘ servant worthy of all o’’t;’ ?” but fat mak’ ye o’ or another,Mr. Sleekaboot at that timedid notat any stay rate. to makeHe mumbledmuch of it out one some- way andthing with about a facepeople expressive being “ opinionativeof a good deal ” and more “ impracticable,” than he said, badeA Johnnyfew Sundays Gibb “thereafter Good day.” it was announced from the pul- whompit that was a batchnot stated, of three but newthe electingelders had body been was chosen believed ; byto ferredconsist to.of Mr.Anyhow Sleekaboot the batch and didthe notoffice-bearers include the already name re-of Johnfriend Gibb.Mains ofThe Yawal, new Braesidepillars of (who the waschurch the brother-in-lawwere our old Teuchitsmyre.of Peter Birse ofThey Clinkstyle, were allhereafter men of to reputable be introduced), substance, and originaland gifted or withremarkable. the minimum of liability to do or say anything (andAs their was wives)fully towere be anticipated,highly exasperated several expectantat being passedelders asperity.over, and canvassedJohnny Gibb the giftssaid ofnothing, the newly-ordained though his unexpected with some exclusionSleekaboot caused altogether more liked. talk Andin the thus parish it came than about, even by andMr. by,confidentially-whispered that, in quarters in amicable averment affinity was freely with thecirculated manse, that the histhe excellentunhappy pastor,tenant ofhad Gushetneuk, been found greatly to be ato good the distressway from of a“ soun’man of” on violent various and fundamental somewhat dangerous points of opinions doctrine; generally. indeed, CHAPTEE V. LIFE AT THE WELLS. ast note tyTwTfY leftl Johnny andJohnny his good Gibb’s mare excursion Jess plodding to the on Wells their wayand soundhomeward. ; and thereThey we reached shall leaveGushetneuk them meantime, in due time, while safe I describeThe dailyshortly round the habitswas uniform of the batherand systematic. and water-drinker. You were daysexpected at least, to drink and tothe bathe salt waterevery day.as an Theaperient water once was indrunk two inMoray the morning—theFirth at such spotpatients as they helping found themselves most convenient, out of andthe Tarlair,then walking where alongthey supplementedthe bare, bluff the beach salt water to the by valleydrinking of house,of the mineralcovered streamwith several that discharged large Caithness itself atflags, the thatlittle stoodwell- bank,there. whereThere a wasdrop a of little whisky house, could too, be at got the somehow foot of the in northcases liberalof emergency, libations as of whensalt water the patientpreviously got swallowed,“hoven” withor where the ofthe the taste recognised lay strongly regimen. in that direction ; but this was no part women—perhapsThen about mid-day I should was say the ladies—bathed season for bathing. at the Thepart whole,nearest very the town,excellent and andthe mensafe furtherbathing eastward; ground it and,is ; with,on the I modationrather think, since the the addition date of whichof baths I write. built forBut public I speak accom- of the oldfor fashiondinner, ofas things.water-drinking Bathing mayserved be to supposed whet the toappetite have mealwhetted over, the theappetite bathers for breakfast;spent the latterand the part former of the important day in goingpleasure on ; theredandering amongst about the the gallant quays tars observing and hardy the operationsfishermen, ringat the to risk their of presenthaving anmode uncomplimentary of life occasionally designation applied refer- to LIFE AT THE WELLS. 31 them; sauntering out to the hill of Doune to watch the cease- lesswaters breakers of the Deveronon “ the everbar managedof Banff,” to and make wonder their wayhow intothe themouth; sea throughor perhaps the ansandy excursion deposits would that allbe butundertaken shut up itsto specialtyBanff or beyondof visiting it; Duffand, inHouse, those wandering days everybody about themade fine a togrounds get some at pleasure, good-natured and, if domesticill luck forbade to guide it not,them contriving over the interiorThe ofcircumstances that noble mansion. being as I have said, Widow Will set herselfmale sex to to find whose out carea prudent she might and experiencedentrust Jock, person her son, of for,the at any“ An’ rate, deed the tat bathing ’ll no be part ill toof get,”the course. quoth Mrs. M‘Craw, “for bidinthere’s at a my vera gweedbreeder’s discreet, weel livin’ sister’s, man near fae thethe parishBuchan o’ tollMarnoch yett.” mair“ Eh,aboot but me aw an’cudna mine think nor o’the tribblin man ao’ body France,” that kenssaid naethe widow.“ Och, an’ he ’ll be muckle waur o’ tat! Maister Saun’ers for’ll no a crackbe so wi’easy Donal’, fash’t, an’I ’se we’se warran’. see.” For a won’er he ’ll be in ““Fat He’se ither,” an acquantens said Mrs. M'Craw.o’ your goodman’s “ An’ a weel-leemit than ?” man heDonal’ is. atThere argifyin ’ll be aboot few asKirk I’ve maitters seen cud ; but baud I b’lieve the can’leye he to’ll no loup“ Na, the sirs!” stank sagely so easy observed wi’ Maister Widow Saun’ers.” Will. good“An’ woman, aw b’lieve as a ruddy-cheekedhe’s here o’ te well-conditioned vera word,” added man the of middlecap of largeage, dresseddimensions in a oncomfortable his head, suitpassed of grey, the windowand a cloth and entered.Saun’ers fromThe stranger,Marnoch, who at onceproved agreed to be toin takereality charge Maister of Jock,that his both friend for Donaldwater-drinking had crept and out “dookin;” to the garden and, tofinding enjoy thebeams soft of air the of asun fine which summer he hadevening, long andceased feel to the see, declining he went theirin search favourite of him topics, ; no doubtin preference to hold tohigh wasting debate his on time some with of mereAnd women’s thus Jockchatter. was-itrtrusted to the responsible care of the gentleman from r /'■ 32 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. hadMaister enjoined Saun’ers, on the lad as thethe necessityCeltic landlady of being had out called of bed him, be- cordingly,times to accompany the two were him. stalking By six leisurely o’clock alongnext themorning, beach ac-on theirthe east steps side down, of the as town. other peopleAt a convenient of both sexes point were they doing, picked to whereregular the rocky tide pools.was washingAt the freshmargin and of clear one intoof these sundry Jock’s ir- guide,of the philosopher,salt water, and and then, friend, standing stooped bolt down, upright, filled solemnlya tin jug ampledrank measureoff the whole ; and quantity.when Maister The Saun’ers jug contained had emptied a pint, it, heneed observed no more; to Jock—“but an ordinar’ Noo, laddie, dose forI’m a stooteasy physicket.healthy man’s I ’ll theaboot juggie half asto muckleyou.” againAnd, as suiting I Ve ta’en. the actionHere tonoo, the I ’llword, full hevessel filled to the his tin head jug withand presenteda dubious itand to Jock,tardy whosort liftedof move- the ment.“Drink hardy, noo !” cried Maister Saun’ers, as Jock made lips.a gruesome face, and threatened to withdraw the jug from his processHe made of drinking. a fresh attempt, but could get no further with the aneuch“ Hoot, for atoot, sookin laddie, bairn.” that ’ll never do. That wad hardly be The“But jug it’s was terrible hardly coorse,” half emptied. pleaded Jock, with a piteous and“ imploringCoorse ! awa’ look. wi’ ye, min. Gweed, clean saut water. Ye o”t.sud gaeCome at it noohardier, !” an’ ye wud never think aboot the taste Jock“ Hoot, made min, another dinna andspull not the much gweed, more clean, successful halesome attempt. water —skowff’t“ Weel, oot!”but aw canna—it ’ll gar me spew,” said Jock, in a tone“ approachingAn’ altho’, fat the maitter “ greetin.” ?” argued his more experienced mefriend see ; ye“ thattak’ ’lljist help ae itherto redd gweed your waucht stamack, o’’t, at andony synerate. weLat ’se tak’be deein owre forlittle—speeshally a day till we see. to beginBut wi’.”min’ ye it’s nae jeesty to fear,Jock had made more ashow portentous than effect, and demonstrativeso far as swallowing gulp, which, the re- I maining contents of the tin jug was concerned. However, he was reluctantly allowed to spill the remainder. an’ “tak’ Come a bite awa’ o’ noo,them—they an’ pluck ’re aa gweedprime thinghan’fu for o’ the caller constitu- dilse, tion,”This continued order was Jock more Will’s grateful new guardian. than the former had been, withand Jockalacrity, floundered to gather over dulse. the slippery“ Tak’ the tide-washed shally anes boulders aye fan upye cantowards get themhim noo,”with asaid bundle Maister of ratherSaun’ers, “rank” as Jock looking came material.Luik at that “ Theynoo !” ’re Anda very he halesame exhibited thing a bunch ta’en of wi’ short, the water. crisp dulse,shells ofpowdered the mussel about species. the root“ That’s ends thewith richt clusters thingand of tiny brinyMaister pool, Saun’ers, swung themafter into dipping his mouth. the dulse As theafresh shells in crackeda little and“ That crunched shalls awayhas a between poo’erfu hiseffeck excellent o’ the grinders, stamack. he added,We ’ll awa’When roon tothey Tarlair had walked noo.” on to Tarlair, Jock was exhorted tosuaded drink to as have much thirst of the for, mineral and to water“ gyang as aboot he could plenty,” be per-but banks.”to “ tak’ care an’ keep awa’ fae the edges o’ that ooncanny oftenThe was. scene About at Tarlair the Well-house was pretty were much gathered what Ia daresay cluster ofit visitors,people, butmale including and female, a couple of various of well ages, dressed mostly sailors, country who had evidentlycome there been to shakeout the offnight the previous effects of“ ontheir the debauch,spree,” and if onethem, might who judgelay stretched from the at disjointedfull length exclamationson his face onof aone long of fortstone he seat, was suffering,occasionally cursing complaining the day ofof his the return physical to Macduff, discom- andalong cursing the valley himself was as a an group unmitigated of sturdy fool. water-drinkers At a little distance of the others,male sex, male with and their female, coats off,were playing to be atencountered putting the walking stone ; hitherand some and thither,lay sluggishly or returning on theto the brow Well of for the another steep drinkgrassy ; bankspleasant that morning shut in sun, Tarlair watching on the any landward craft that side, might enjoying happen the theto be blue in view, hills orof trying Caithness to make across out theas muchFirth. as theyAnd could thus ofit 34 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. wentready onto gotill home the toseveral breakfast. water-drinkers found themselves nothing.Of Jock His Will’s guardian bathing was experiences, admitted by I daresay,his compeers I need to say be himself “ a hardy dooker,” a quality in which, notwithstand- cient,ing his Iutmost fear. exhortations,The first “ gluff Jock ” continuedof the cold to water,be rather when defi- it hardlycrept up withstand, on his person, and the was oft-repeated a trial which injunction his nerves to “ couldplype invariablydoon fan the shrunk jaw’s from, cornin’” unless embodied the iron graspa lesson of his which preceptor Jock happenedalways the tofeeling be on that his the shoulder. reflux of theTruth wave to would say, carryJock himhad awayNevertheless, into some there deep are unfathomed hundreds ofcave nice of convenient the Moray baylets Firth. periencedabout the Macduffmay safely bathing take ground,a dip; andwhere at evenany therate most no harminex- came to Jock Will during the period of his stay at the Wells. CHAPTER VI. MRS. BIRSE OP CLINKSTYLE. .cWN the quiet region about Gushetneuk. comparatively un- ti) important events attracted no inconsiderable amount circulateof public forattention; a wonderful and length furnished of time. topics Andof news thus thatthe annual would tovisit the of neighbourhood,Johnny Gibb’s family and formed to the Wells the topic was naturallyof conversation known amountfor the time of useful being. news It directwas also from a means“ the Shore.” of getting a certain fromAnd Macduff so it came alone, about Johnny that, had on athe visit evening from afterhis neighbour, his return partlyPeter Birse,one of the friendship, farmer ofand Clinkstyle. partly one Peter’s of business. errand wasBut hereactly, itwho will Mr. be Peterproper Birse shortly was. to define, somewhat more ex- as itClinkstyle, did on the next east to sideMains of ofthe Yawal, road, whichand a laylittle on nearer the west to thenity. Kirktown The tenant of Pyketillim, of Clinkstyle was kept the largesttwo pairs farm of horsesin the vici-and beinga stout a “recently-added shall,” or orra voucher beast which for the ran respectability in the gig, the of latterPeter Birse,She was or arather, managing I should woman, say, Mrs. the Birse,respectability a very managing of his wife. wo- manover ;for extremely thrift none desirous in the of parish being accountedcould beat “ her. genteelmore- Perhaps it . anywould rate be the wrong unapproachable to say that she sums boasted she realisedof her thrift; off her but cows at everyto fostering summer the in calves, the shape were ofno butter secret. and Yet cheese, it was inunderstood addition thattown, Mr. who, Andrew with theLangchafts, intention the of new distancing “merchan”’ all his at therivals Kirk- in hadthe district,prominently and securing avowed histhe intentionlion’s share of ofgiving the custom “ the highest going, modeprices offor transacting butter and business.eggs,” did Whennot altogether the sturdy admire sunburnt her 36 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. servant“ wrapper,” damsel came from to Clinkstyle,his shop deeply in “ chack freighted ” apron with and a basketcalico ofrate butter of eightpence weighing thirty-sixa pound—(a pounds, halfpenny for which in heexcess paid ofat the inother return shops)—and “ an unce when o’ spice, Mrs. Birse,a pennyworth by her messenger, o’ whitet broons,bought halfimagine a peck that o’ the saut, “merchan”’ an’ a stane did o’ whitenin’,”not deem itone encouraging. can easily flatteredAnd it would when be the difficult girl, havingto believe got that her he “erran’s,” could feel and greatly her goodlybad’s seeknugget some of shillings preens faein her ye. hand, Ye added,gyauna’s “ Theneen mistress last— customersshe says she preens.” never saw a merchan’ ’t cudna affoord to gie’s no margin—I’m“ Well,” quoth afraid Andrew I ’ll have Langchafts, loss, for gravely,the butter’s “ I havedeclining.” really “ That’s fat she said at ony rate,” answered the damsel, ‘‘an’the butter, she said forbye’t she expeckitye sud say’t there it’s wud scrimp be wecht.”some ootgang o’ each“ Iof tell these you, lumps, young I woman,would lack if I wellpress nigh the abuttermilk pound avoirdu- out of pois.”“ Weel, weel, ye better come awa’ wi’ oor preens at ony rateThe an’ lat’smerchant, be gyaun, a stiff or “ I gousty ’ll get uplookin’ my fit stock,” for bidin who sae had lang.” but recentlyperience begunheretofore business had, init wasthe shopunderstood, at Pyketillim, been mainly whose in ex- a nottolerably quite populousconversant back with street the inpeculiarities Aberdeen, andof thrifty who was country thus life,Mrs. had Birseno help had but a tofamily comply of threewith thesons request. and one daughter, begunwhose toages lay ran plans from for tentheir to future seventeen, establishment and she inhad life. already The ciderfarmer son, of Clinkstyle;Peter, junior, the was second, destined Rob, to must succeed be provided his father with as a farm as soon as he was ready for it; the youngest, Benja- bemin, married was to offget in “ leernin;due season * and to thethe daughterbest advantage. would, of course, the Well,gloamin as I afterhave Johnnysaid, Peter Gibb’s Birse return. called atAlong Gushetneuk with him on camesation histook collie somewhat dog, and of thishis eldestturn— son; and Peter’s conver- ye?”“ Week Gushets, ye’ve wun redd o’ the goodwife noo, hae MRS. BIRSE OF CLINKSTYLE. 37 “ F the meantime, Clinkies—mithna ye try something o' thecheenge kin’ to?” get on the breeks yersel’ for a fyou days, jist for a he gaveClinkies up thedid jocular not altogether vein, and relish continued— the retort seemingly, so “ Weel,Ou brawly; foo’s the bits crap o’ lyeukinthe com doon wud the be wye neen o’ Turrawaur ?”o’ a gweed“D’ye shooer, think but that, the feckthough, o’’t’s Gushets?—it’s settin’ for a gey blate, fair crappie.”blate, a hantle“ Ou o’’t, ay, hereaboot.” ye’ve a gey puckle i’ the laft, an’ twa ’r three aul' expeckinrucks to thrash an ondeemas oot, Peter; price but for’t—the I wudna advise corn’s you cornin’ to keep doon,” up, said Johnny. gi’ein“ Eh,at the man, Shore is’t ?” exclaimed Peter Birse. “ An’ fat are they gettin’“ Four-ah’-twenty slack at that,” saidfor Johnnygweed, Gibb. weel-colourt “ There’s stuff; sic cairns an' o’’t Peterpourin’ Birse, in sin’ senior, the neep could seed scarcely was finish’!.” conceal his chagrin at thisover announcement,by Mrs. Birse to the find truth out frombeing Johnny that he what had wasbeen being sent beingpaid for charged the quarter for the of bolloats ofat limeMacduff; and coals,and also the whatobject was of ingthese whether inquiries it wouldbeing tobe obtainprudent the and necessary advantageous data for to decid- send thatoff a port,couple and of to cartloads bring the of carts grain home from laden Clinkstyle, with either for sale of theat : articles“An’ just divnin named. ye think four-an’-twenty a terrible little sim- mer“ price,’Deed, Gushets Peter, it’s ?” pleaded aboot daar Peter. aneuch for them that has’t toafore buy. hairst,—ye Dinna yemay be get keepin’ a less, up, an’ lippenin nae blessin’ till a mucklewi’ ’t.” price We“ wusna Aweel, jist a’ theseer toosht gin we aboot wud oorthrash toon oot ’ll themak’ bit little huickie odds. or sizzontwa’t we?” hae, or no. Is there mony fowk at the Walls this “ ThereMuckle ’ll aboot be mair the ordinar’.”neist month, I daursay,—the water winnaFan div be ye at gae its doon strength again till to feshnear hameaboot the Lammas, goodwife ye ?” ken. “ ThisAn’ ye day ’ll tak’ouk.” a day or twa o’ the water yersel’, like ?” JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. “ Fae Wednesday till Saturday lickly,—we’ll come hame on Saturday.” “ JistI kenna.” that. They’ll be begun to the herrin’ gin than?” boats“ Sawna hurl’t yedoon nae to appearance the water o’aff the o’ fishersthe chingle, gettin’ theor the muckle nets rankit“ Weel, oot ?” I really tyeuk little notice, Peter; but I ’se keep my “Jisteen apen that,” fan added I gae Peter. back.” “It’s a sturrin place Macduff; speeshallyPeter had aboot an theobject time in o’all the the herrin’.” questions he had put. He had got a commission of inquiry from his spouse, and his business,to her. whenWhen he he had had fulfilled done soit, faithfully,was to go homeMrs. Birseand report pro- cornnounced, at twenty-four almost with shillings indignation, a-quarter against ; and the more idea than of sellinghinted prettythat if wellJohnny emptied, Gibb’s he wouldgranary not and have stack-yard been so communicative had not been ofClinkstyle. the sort of“ Man, advice ye he’re ahad saft tendered breet; cudna to the ye goodman’a speer’t fatof helaft wud ?” added tak’ for Mrs. a dizzen Birse, o’in quartersthe way ootof personal o’ the bing compliment on Jus barn to grainPeter question,; and, having she nextdelivered heard herself Mr. Birse’sof her sentimentsstatement onabout the the general run of things at Macduff, and the fishing in particular.The truth was, Mrs. Birse contemplated troubling Johnny namedGibb with to afetch small home order his when own. he returnedAnd on theto the evening sea-port before just , trustedJohnny withset forth the deliveryon that journey,of this order the ladto the Rob person Birse who was wasen-| toGushetneuk be honoured accordingly, with its execution.and, having Rob found came Johnny, across dis-- to charged“ My hismither trust bad’s in these tell words—ye—gin ye wud be good aneuch— : backfan ye twa gang dizzen to Macduff, o’ fresh herrin’.to fesh hameAn’ gin till thereher fan binna yer herrin’,cornin’ j^ bawbeegin ye cud partans.” get a gweed chape skate till her, an’ twa three- asked“ An’ Johnny, is that with a’, laddie—hasa slight tinge she of sarcasm,nae ither which bits o’ the erran’s youth- ?” ful Birse“ No, hardlyaw dinna appreciated. think it,” answered the lad. “ She was MRS. BIRSE OF CLINKSTYLE. 39 gyaunhedna toa pigbid teem ye fesh that half-a-gallon wud baud it.” o’ dog-oil till her, but she wifeDuring was absent these at eight the Wells,days ofJohnny temporary Gibb celibacy,persisted whilein taking his withmost Tamof his Meerison meals with and his “the three loon” servants. of whatever He partook Jinse Deans along sawadvice fit toabout make some ready; part and of whenher household Jinse ventured work, Johnnyto ask gothis somethingnor ocht aboot very it;”like andcrusty, that and if shesaid “didna he “ kent ken nedder better auchtaboot tohoosewifeskip the man that ” thangot her;he did, at whichshe “ wudJinse mak’ giggled, a peer tossed bargain her ” headBut slightly, Jinse wasand professeda competent that servantthere “was as well fyou as seekin’’er.” a “gate- outfarrin” of deference damsel; toand, him, though she was she quitehad consultedcapable of Johnny discharging once herand, household in point of duties fact, satisfactorilyshe did so discharge without themspecial at guidance;this time, householdin so far wereas both concerned. Johnny and the other members of the CHAPTEE Y11. BACK FROM THE WELLS. fOHNNYto him aGIBB’S somewhat return memorable visit to theone; Wells, not infor 1839, any wasre- wise.markable Johnny events had by the which fortune it was then distinguished, to make the but incidental in this acquaintanceown heart. These of two were men, Donald each in M'Craw,his way notand a the little gentleman after his what.from Marnoch,Donald, of like whom many the another reader hasCelt, already was a keen heard hand some- in andthe discussiona staunch upholderof all questions of the ofChurch’s a theologico-polemical exclusive jurisdiction cast, larin matters sentiments spiritual. with Donald And whiletheoretically, the Mamoch the progress man held of events simi- illustratingwas just then his bringingtheory by to a practicalhis own testimony.door the opportunity of andAnd “ Maister thus it Saun’ers,” was that whenas Mrs. Johnny M'Craw Gibb, called Donald him, M'Craw, had got engrossing“ fairly yokit “ confabulation” on the subject ” was of the Kirk,result. a lengthenedWhen general and principlesMarnoch manhad beingbeen sufficientlyso thoroughly expounded—Donald well up in the subject and thatthe Johnnyand learner—Maister was reduced to Saun’ers the position entered very on muchthe history of a listener of the JohnnyMamoch had case heard with ofall it the in exactitudea general way of personal before, andknowledge. sympa- grewthised through with the the protesting communications parishioners, of butMaister as his Saun’ers, information his righteoussympathy indignationalso waxed againstin intensity, those till who it had merited sought the to name deprive of them“ Ay,”of their said rights Maister and Saun’ers, privileges. “ whaur’s the richts o’ con- science there, I wud like to ken ? A man wi’ nae gifts fittin’ ^eeth’im for o’ thethe Vetowark Act.”forc’t upon an unwillin’ people i’ the vera BACK FROM THE WELLS. 41 “ An’ was there naebody in fawvour o’ this Edwards ?” asked“Judge Johnny. ye, Maister Gibb—oot o’ three hunner heids o’ faimilies,hunner an’ members sixty-one o’protested the congregation, against his beingnae less sattl’t.” nor twa “ ’DeedAn’ the no—I lave sign’tdinna for like ’im to ?” speak oot o’ boun’s: but I’m theseer maitter, there’s innae fawvour half-a-dizzen, o’ him—leavin’ that hae ootony Peterricht toTaylor, meddle the i’ innkeeper“ Dear atme, Foggieloan, man : but Ilat ken yer hardly Presbytery ane.” be fat they like, the “Ay,Assembly Maister ’ll never Gibb, thole but sic that’s ongaens.’’ jist whaur the creesis ordeen’tlies. The the AssemblyPresbytery o’ to last throw year—Thirty-aucht, the presentee oot ye : aweel,ken— thethat’s Auchterarder been deen sinsyne.case, whaur But the nae Coort doot o’ye’ve Session heard was o’ tillcall’t its into bar play, in person—it’s an’ the vera aneuch Presbytery to gar o’ ane’sDunkeld bleed brocht boil oorto thinkcovenantin’ o’’t, aifter forebears the nobleto mainteen struggles spiritooal and sufferin’s indepen- o’ dence.”“ It luiks like a joodgment o’ ta lan’ for oor oonfaithfu’- ness,”“ Aweel,” said Donald. continued Maister Saun’ers, “ the Apostle says, the‘ evil Presbytery communications hae been corrupt prohibitet good faemenners,’ takin’ onyan’ forderso although steps fatsomeverfollow, fa sudto induck hin’er this him ‘ stranger to gae ’ tothat the the Coort flock o’will Session never wi’neist the an’ sattlement seek a decree ?” authoreesin the Presbytery to gae on “ Ay,I’ the Maister vera teeth Gibb, o’ thethat’s Assembly the pass ?” exclaimedwe ’re brocht Johnny. till at Marnoch“ An’ has noo.” the airm o’ ta secular poo’er raelly been streetch’t ootasked to Donald,touch ta with ark an o’ airta ofKirk’s solemnity. spiritooal independence ? ” gotten“Judge a legal ye, dockiment Donal’—This fae the vera shoopreme ouk this ceevil Edwards Coort, hasre- quarin“ Alas the ! Presbyteryalas !” said forthwith the blind to pensioner, tak’ ’im on shaking his trials.” his head, o’“ sic us unhallow’tleeve to see wark ta day bodes whan ill forthe oorfaithfu’ coontra. people We o’ God may maunsome worshipD on the hill-sides again.” 42 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. you“ richtit. But,” interposedThey winna Johnny, daur “to your disobey Presbytery—they the Assembly.” ’ll see “ We“ Oor Ve hedPresbytery owre gweed ! Jist preef wait o’ye,” their said quality Maister in theSaun’ers. times byegane.I ’ll gi’e the They’ve lugs fae mydeen heid ocht gin but they befrien’et dinna gae the on people noo, neck- ; an’ or-naething,majority; for to aivencairry inoot Stra’bogie this sattlement—that’s we’ve a faithfu’ to minoritysay, the protestin’“An’ will against ye stan’ sic iniquity.”to hae this man Edwards forc’t upo’ ye, neck“ Neveran’ heels !—I ?” tellsaid ye Johnny the fowk Gibb o’ warmly.Marnoch ’ll never submit owlsto that, an’ thecome bats fat seener, will. an’They’ll gae forth leave oonder the kirkthe firmament wa’s to the o’ heaven“ Praise to worship.” to Him that rules ta hearts o’ men that we hae faithfu’something witnesses of the fervouri’ the lan’!”of an oldquoth Covenanter. Donald M'Craw, with congregation“Ay,” replied mairch Johnny, oot, an’ “it leave wud thebe barea gran’ wa’s sicht o’ theto seedese- a thatcratit hed kirk, nae raither better norcall bidetill’s still,office un’er nor fatthe theminaistry poo’ers o’o’ thisane ridin’earth thecan saacredgi’e ’im byrichts dint o’ o’ men’s the strong consciences.” airm o’ the law—owre- dinna“ Mark see sic my a sichtwords as weel,”fat ye speaksaid Maistero’ in Marnoch, Saun’ers, afore “ if ony ye o’’s is muckle aul’er, I’m far mista’en.” said“ Donald,Wae, wae, “ an’ to mayta men ta Christianthat forder people sic unsanctifiet nae be foun’ wark,” faint- heartit“ Never i’ the fear,” day o’exclaimed trial.” Maister Saun’ers stoutly, “ we hae o’stood an Erastianto oor prenciples Presbytery, as yet,wha an’ ken we nae ’ll dee’theicher still, homage i’ maugre nor renderin’“ Ay, ay,to Caesarman,” thesaid things Johnny that reflectively, are God’s.” and I rather think the image of Mr. Sleekaboot crossed his mind. “ There’s servin’owre mony characters o’ them ; mairtarr’t concern’twi’ the same aboot stick—war’dly, pleasin’ the lairdstime- nor “sairin Weel, their weel,” Maister.” added Maister Saun’ers, “ depen’ ye upon’t, bethough a clearin’ it may oot, begin an’ anat hus,estaiblishment it canna en’ o’ there. the true There prenciples maun thatScotian’ oor canforefathers be set on focht her richtan suffer’t foondations.” for, afore the Kirk o’ BACK FROM THE WELLS. 43 “ Ah, but ye ’re speakin’ ta Gospel truth noo,” exclaimed willDonald overturn, M‘Craw, overturn, who delighted overturn,’ in saithsombre ta prophet.prediction. An’“‘I ta mentKirk musthas been come.” too lang sattl’t on her lees—her day o’ joodg- littleAs stirred may be within imagined, him theby thespirit discourse of Johnny he Gibb had washeld not with a thatMaister he remained Saun’ers andat Macduff, Donald M'Craw.Maister Saun’ersFor the was day his or con-two stantWill trottedcompanion. behind They ; they took sat theiron the walks braes together, in the andsun, Jockand beachtalked intogether, search ofand “ bonnyJock traversedbuckies,” thehalf pebblyof which part Jock of hadthe homedestined ; the for other the half—welladornment Jock of his was mother’s gallant enoughmantlepiece to medi- at favourabletate a surprise opportunity for “ the lassie,”occur, byas presentingthey journeyed to her, home,should a choiceafforded. collection When ofthe the two finest new-made shells friendsthat the parted Macduff there beach was aturned vigorous out handshaking,to be the case, and that Johnny from that Gibb day avowed, forward as his indeed zeal inthat the should Non-intrusion bear no causerelation would to his be previous quickened state in aof degree hazy, beenhalf-informed attempted rebellion to be exercised against Moderate by Mr. Sleekaboot. domination, as it had The journey home from the Wells was necessarily very patientsmuch of were the charactera little more of tanned,the journey if possible, thither by ; onlythe sun,that andthe the—a storesfew dried they cod now ; herringscarried were ; partans chiefly ; dulse,of a maritime and a bottle nature of cure.sea water In duetaken course along they by arrived Widow at Will Gushetneuk. to perfect her son’s looking“ Hae, wicker lassie,” basket, quoth “ Johnnythat’s the Gibb, wife handing o’ Clinkstyle’s out a decrepit- herrin’. it.”Ye’ll better tak’ them owre at ance, or we’ll be bearin’ aboot man—an’“ Wudna a partan ye sen’ ?” a puckle o’ the dilse to the good wife, They“ Pleasewar owre yersel’, dear bocht’oman till ; butagree I sudwi’ herpartan constiteetion.” neen wi’ ’ef. goodwife.“ Hoot, ye sudna be sae nabal wi’ fowk,” answered the the Johnnydismantling gave ofan the expressive cart. “ pech,” and proceeded with 44 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. The compromise made was to send along with Mrs. Birse’s parcelwent off of to herrings Clinkstyle a goodly freighted bundle accordingly. of dulse ; and the lassie seeing“ An’ the that’s basket. my herrin’“ An’ dilse, is’t, naeMary less ?” ? saidNa, Mrs. sirs, Birse, but ye on ’ll be a far-traivel’t ’oman noo. Did the wifie Wull come hame wi’ yer“Ay.” aunt an’ you, no ?” “ An’I think Jock, they nae are,” doot—Is said the his lassie. sair chafts better noo ?” “ An’Na; ye auntie Ve bidden an’ me a’ bidet thegither oor lanes at Macduff, in ae hoose, I ’se an’ warran’ Widow ?” Wull“ Ouat anither.”yea, I thocht ye wud ’a maetit a’ throu’ ither—’t wud ’ain madefiles to it seechaeper you, an’for badeJock throu’an’ ’s mither, the aifterneen maybe. ?” They cam’ “ An’Ay, fafiles.” did yer aunt an’ you bide wi’, syne ?” “ TheyA muckle ca’d hoose,them Mr.I wauger, and Mrs. an’ M'Craw.”braw fowk ?—brawer nor the “fowk Ay, itthat was Jock middlin’ Wull muckle.”an”s mither bade wi’.” “ ItNa, wusna the man neen was o’ the an fisheraul’ sojer.” tribe’t ye bade wi’, than ?” “ ButAn aul’he wassojer! blin’.” He’s keepit ye in order, no ?” mair“ An’nor ’syou wife ?’’ made a livin’ by keepin’ lodgers—she wud hae “ An’Na, lodg’tshe keepit you i’a theskweel room for en’ little ?—jist littleanes.” that. She wud mak’ a gweed penny i’ the coorse o’ the sizzon that wye, I’se warran’.”As the goodwife of Clinkstyle leisurely undid the basket, she plied the girl with these and sundry other queries, marked ofby thethe likejourney laudable to the intention Wells of; findingand in outparticular, the inner whether history GushetneukWidow Will folks, had notbut onlyhad alsobeen sharedconveyed in theirto and bounty fro by while the scrutinised.at Macduff. At last the basket was emptied and its contents an’ “nae Ay, gryte lassie, sizes, an’ that’sweel-a-wat—Hoot, my twa dizzen lassie, ? They there’s ’re some only saft,sax dizzen—Ian’ twenty neverthere !tyeuk Keep less me, nor there foorteen sud ’a faebeen aul’ foorteen Skairey to the BACK FROM THE WELLS. 45 creeliecadger, noo. lat aleenI sanna Macduff be speerin’ itsel’. theAweel, price o’tak’ them ye eenoo,hame butyer ianbuyer I seeo’ fish—nae yer uncle toI sailken lantthe cadger’shim the dizzen.”richt gate. He’s a het intentionIt is notof everquite asking certain the that price Mrs. of Birsethe herrings, had any if matured no one elselet it stirred rest meanwhile; the question. and Anyhowpolitic also, she indeemed a wider it politicsense, to dismiss“ Na, the Mary, lassie but graciously. ye are growin’ a lang lassie. Oor ’Liza gither.an’ you ees’tI dinna to believebe heid-y-peers, but ye ’re nearbut asye’re heich’s tynin Peter her there.a’the- gentlemanCome ’ere, inmin,” question, continued who Mrs.had appliedBirse, addressing himself industriously the young tosome the pair.mastication Gae ’wa’ of noo,the dulse. Patie, an’“ Awat, convoy but Mary ye mak’ a bit; a win-tak’ ’erafore basket ye turn.” i’ yer han’, and see’t ye help her owre the stank lad,Peter, “hirsled” a thriving off his but seat on with the ratherwhole evidentslightly reluctance,softish-looking and motherafter groping ordered about him. for And his withbonnet, this proceeded lesson in togallantry do as histo hercontinued eldest born,prosecution the goodwife of her domestic of Clinkstyle duties. turned her to the CHAPTER Y 111. TAM MEERISON FLITS. §HE style of life that prevails at such places as Gushet- sensationalneuk story-teller.would not, I canHe wellmight believe, wait a suit very the long taste time of thefor “'thrillingsober realities incidents” of every of dayany life,sort, as and there wait exemplified, in vain ; and would the behuman certain existence so to asconflict to drive with him his to distraction.spasmodic conceptionsNevertheless, of lifeI am is prepared,in reality, afteror necessarily, full trial, toeither deny dull that or such uninteresting. a style of suitsBut, whatmy present is more purpose, to the inasmuchpoint, it is as just I thecan verytake mything narra- that ortive so, in which the most I now leisurely do, with way, the and bare jump remark over that twelve I have months per- formedstatu quo that just exploit, as I left fully them. trusting to pick up my characters in JohnnyWhen Gibb the wantedMartinmas to know term of ofTam 1840 Meerison was drawing whether near, he Tam’swas disposed answer to thisremain question, as his addressed servant throughto him while the winter.he was busy“ Awcurrying cudna the say,” bay quothmare, wasTam not drily; decisive “ aw either wudna way. care a great heap, gin we can ’gree aboot the waages, an’ a’ ither thing“ Confeerin confeerin.” or no confeerin,” said Johnny testily, “ I wunt a mair direck answer—fat siller are ye seekin’ ?” continued“ It depen’s Tam. a gweed hantle on a body’s neeboors tee,” sharries“ Ou nooay, Iand ken than the ; loonbut an’he’s you’s a weel-workin’, been aye haein weel-con- bits o’ duckit“ Will loon, lie an’ be ye bidin winna ?” askedpit an aul’Tam. heid upo’ young shou’ders.” bidin—hae“ Lickly, ye though ony faut he hasnato fin’ wi’been her speer’t ?” at yet; an’ Jinse's TAM MEERISON FLITS. 47 wi”t,”“ I’ve said naethingadee Tam, pursuing wi’ hiswomen’s grooming wark, veryan’ never industriously. meddles sentence“ Roun’, Jess—wo—still,was of course addressed you thing.” to theThe animal latter thenpart under-of the going“ Weel, its daily weel, trimming. but tell me, ay or no, an’ fat fee yer seekin’,” insisted“ I cudna Johnny say Gibb. foo the fees ’ll be rinnin this term ; an’ aw wudna“ A likepuddin’ to name lug, min,” siller exclaimed till the mornin’ Johnny. o’ the“ That’s market.” aye the monthgate wi’ or youso here, chiels; sax tum’lemonth abootor so there,a haill forkwintra half o’ side,your saxlife time,“ Ian’ cudna never dee’t save though,”a saxpence said to Tam,bless yoursel’swho still wi’.” carried in his Johnnymind Johnny’s at once demandturned him to know about what and feeleft hethe wanted. stable. ‘ not Nowwish theto truthleave ofGushetneuk. the matter wasThe that “ loon,” Tam ofMeerison whom thedid readerservant, has was formerly just a little heard, of aand thorn who in hiswas side still occasionally, Tam’s fellow- by therehis lack was of much reticence seemingly in speech to balance on certain this subjectsvery partial ; but griev- then ance.on the wholeIf Johnny a kind Gibb and was indulgent occasionally master. a littleThe hasty, horses he Tam was drove were handsome, well appointed, and well fed—an im- portantTam’s position. consideration, Tam admittedand properly that theso, servantswith every were man “weel in ees’t”Deans inhad the come way to of be food something ; and thenthat seemedthe presence to be essentialof Jinse soto Tam’sfar the perfectslave of serenity habit that of mind. he could But not for clearly all that see Tam his waywas tocome departing to be considered one jot from the what,correct among mode hisof bargain-makingcompeers, had ideain covenanting that it was foron thetheir whole services an effeminate; he had a sortkind ofof thing general to eighteen“ bide owre months lang at i’ theGushetneuk. same place,” and he had now been doubtOn asked, the morning once more, of the what feeing wages market Tam day, required, Johnny butGibb evi- no whendently heJohnny had previouslywas in a decidedly mooted morethe subject. indifferent And, mood accord- than , doubtingly, whenhis previous Tam, policy,who by “ thatsocht,” time he somewhathad begun curtly seriously “ bade” to ten shillings less than the su™ Tam mentioned. With few 43 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. more words they separated, and each went away to the market theyin his “ ownwud interest,lickly meet but aforewith a they vague were notion lang on there.” Tam’s partEarly that in “the work day, a however,pair o’ horse,” Johnny pressed had aon “ hisstoot notice gudge,” and anxious easily ar-to rangedthe day withreceiving him. onlyTam indifferent hung in the offers, market and thefor goodupshot part was, of that“ foreman he at ” atlast, Clinkstyle. reluctantly Peter enough, Birse, engaged as was nothimself an unusual to be caseclean with toon him, ” of hiswas servants, about to and,make according what is understood to his invariable by “ a establishmentpractice, had been at the endeavouring cheapest rate to ;fill so up he the managed vacancies to inpick his crownup Tam less Meerison fee than at Johnnyan advanced Gibb periodhad offered of the Tammarket, on atthe a morningThe change of the samefrom day.Gushetneuk to Clinkstyle was one that TamIn explaining Meerison his did reasons not find for exactly making conducive the change, to Tam,his comfort. to put gettingthe best to face “ a uponmuckier it, toldtoon” his than friends Gushetneuk, that he waswhere desirous he would of have more “ company ” and so on. But, poor lad, the company penedhe got thatwere Mrs.a cause Birse’s of no notions little troubleabout theto him.proper It mode so hap- of generallyfeeding servants of those were servants not such who ashad to had command practical the experience approval of them, or to procure for Mrs. Birse herself a favourable re- servants—secondputation among that horseman, class where orra man,she was and known.cow baillie—were The new insurrection,disposed not onmerely the ground to grumble of the but unsatisfactory to break out character into open of vindicatethe victuals their supplied rights to in them.the matter; And athey duty expected which he Tam found to growling,by no means or theeasy utterance or pleasant. of an incidentalSo far as anathemamere inarticulate against the victuals in the hearing of the servant maid went, Tam foundBut a nocrisis difficulty came inby-and-by. going fully The along goodwife, with his in companions. her thrifty boiledway, had turnips for anda good “turnip many brose” nights to inthe succession, lads as the staplesupplied of faretheir thussupper. furnished, And inthey testimony latterly of had their no appreciation sooner smelt of the thanodour they thereof duly commencedas they entered to “ lowthe ” kitchenlike as manynight oxen.after night,Then TAM MEERISON FLITS. 49 Jlagranteit was that delicto, Mrs. byBirse bursting seized into the theoccasion kitchen to as catch they themwere thisbellowing unbecoming away ; behaviour.and a very stiff onset she gave them about sipper,“ An’ I sudfat haelike ye to token?” say againstdemanded gweed the iratesweet matron. neeps to yer day“ for Oh a weel, haill it’souk,” owre said af’en Tam. to hae them ilka nicht ’cep Sun- “ AOwre cheenge afen! files.” birst the stamacks o’ ye; fat wud ye hae!” better“For nor fat, set no?their servan’sThere’s doonfowk at maybe’t the same kens table their wi’ them-place yet,sel’s; the and seener gin yeye hinna’re taucht leern’t it thethat better; muckle fat gweed sorra breedin’ div ye wunt?”“ We wunt naething but a fair diet,” answered Tam. tell “me A fanfair your diet! fader—the An’ weel’t roch sets dyker,” ye—aw and wud here thank Mrs. yeBirse to faimilylooked directlyaneuch o’in onything Tam Meerison’s to ate. Butface, that’s “was ayeable the to gategi’e’s ; themThis that’s outburst brocht took up likethe beggars’swind so considerably aye warst to out please.” of Tam athat brief he pause,utterly went failed on, to “make Deed any they reply; ’re but and owre Mrs. gweed Birse, for after ye as—wi’ ever weel cam’ hir’t oot brose, o’ a byre.”an’ plenty o’ as gweed milk to yer kyaaks blaeworts“ Sang, ;—but it needs’t it’s a’—nearnae the auchtmilk days’t we auP,’re compleeninan’ as blue aso’ eenoo,”“ Na, said an’ yethe wud second be baul’ horseman, to compleen, after anotherye ill-menner’t pause. pack; butthe heidsye ’ll jisto’ ye tak’ ; oryer gin neeps ye dinna, there, wean’ ’ll nae ken anither fat wye cheep to tak’ oot an o’ order“Tak’ o’ ye.” an order o’ the aul’ Smith, an’ ye like ; neeps sax formernichts ootspeaker. o’ the seyven winna stan’ law at ony rate,” said the scornfully.“An’ it’s “muckleken Jist gae ye on aboottill I need law,” to replied gar yer the maister goodwife tak’ yestannin afore yerthe grunShirra, for anrefeesin ye ’ll maybea gweed hae halesome some diffeekwalty diet.” in “ Aweel,With awthis daursay deliverance, ye’ve had and the chanceunheeding o’ bearin’ the therejoinder, Shirra aforeparlour, noo,” where Mrs. she Birse proceeded turned, and to bouncedmake tea away for “her ben husband ” to the 50 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. sameand hopeful time letting progeny, the unspentnow gathered balance round of her the wrath table, blow at theoff holdin a generalgetting way,a slight to incidentalease her mind scorching, ; the headwhen ofhe the happened house- to come“ I’m in sure, the man,way. I’m jist keepit in a fry wi’ ae coorse pack fanaifter ye anither gae to ;the ye market.”seerly wile the vera warst that ye can get “ EasyHoot, to’oman, ye ; butye sudnaan’ ye vexhed yersel’the maetin aboot o’ them.” them’s I hae, ye wud“ Fat’s tell beenanither adee story. eeno?” A vulgar, ill-fashion’t set.” mony“ Adee! nowte fanrefeesin they cam’their in.” neeps, an’ makin’ a din like as “ Yes,”Hoot awa’.”interjected Miss Eliza Birse, “ an’ I heard the second“An’ horseman fat did he cursin’ say, my aboot dear?” the askedkitchie Mrs. cakes.” Birse. eat.”“He bann’t at Betty, an’ said they werena fit for swine to “She“An’ fatsaid’t did Bettyhoo’t say,she ’Liza?”cudna help it; that it was your ordersowre muckle.” to mak’ them weet i’ the hert to keep the men fae eatin' luikin“The a’ the dooble time’t limmer!” a bodie speaksexclaimed till ’erMrs. as Birse.gin butter “An’her wudna melt in her cheek.” stair,“ Weel,an’ stoppit I heard and ’er hearken’t at ony rate at the ; for back I was o’ the jist inner gaen kitchieup the door.”“ The oongratefu ill-menner’t jaud’t she is,” continued toMrs. get Birse. some leavin’s“ But Ii’ ’ll the sort taepot, ’er for tothat. be a Shecup ’lltill be ’er expeckin fan the wi’men clear gaes een oot ereto sippershe see the that beasts, again, as Ieeswal; doot. butThat’s she the’ll luik re- wardWhile ’t fowk this gets conversation for their kin’ness was going to the on, like the o’ tea’er.” was pro- ceedingBirse, with apace. their Therespected three youngparents, Masters were seatedBirse andround Miss a solids,somewhat an ampleclumsily store set of out bread, table, oatcakes, containing cheese, in andthe waybutter. of who,The “being olive designedplants ” werefor agriculture, all at school, was exceptunderstood Peter, to junior, have the literary part of his education about finished, and was TAM MEERISON FLITS. 5* taking to farming operations, including some minor attempts hand,at cattle very dealing kindly. at Suddenlywhich he Peter, had beensenior, allowed called acrossto try thehis table“ Benjie!to his youngest fat are yebom, deein Benjamin— pirlin aboot at yer breid that gate“ ?”Weel,” answered Benjie, sulkily, “TLiza’s gi’en’s a nae gweed bit, an winna hae’t ’ersel’.” ,r said“ PeterThe breid’s Birse, a’senior, perfeckly severely. gweed—ate it this moment, sir ! but Benjiefailed toput fulfil on athe look parental more dourmandate. and dolorous than before, thising“ Fat tones, is’t, myaddressing pet ?” asked Master Mrs. Benjamin. Birse, in her most sympa- “ Weel, it’s nae gweed,” answered Benjie, proffering his lookingmamma “the piece.” unacceptable The worthy bit of lady cakes—a examined thick, it rather for a sodden-second, hasand thatsaid—“'Liza! come here that’s?” a bit o’ the kitchie kyaaks—fat wye truncher.”“I dinna know,” answered Miss Birse; “it was upo’ the cudna“ Is butthere ’a mairkent o’’t?that sheEh wasay—here’s pittin’t twa upo’ korters! oor maun. Betty I tillsudna hersel’. won’er Sic nor creaturs she’s stownwi’ oonhonesty. as muckle o’Lay the that parlour twa korters breid by,o’ that, ’Liza, though till we it seesud better cost her in ’ertill’t. place.” I ’se Thebe at careful the boddom mother added,said this, “ There’s she handed a better to bittie Benjie to ye,a full my halfdautie,” of oneand asof shethe - “quarters”relation to the of “parlour kitchie cakes,kyaaks,” which that abore well-browned about the biscuit same does“ toHoot, a lump ’om—an,” of dough. Peter Birse had commenced to utter, cutin the him way short of deprecation by tossing ofthe this lump proceeding, of “ kitchie when kyaaks Mrs. Birse” to- wards“Weel, him, weel,and exclaiming—try’t yersel’, ■gin ye hae onything to say. But yethe canna like o’ expeck that.” the bairn’s stamackie to be able to disjeest and“ inHumph, proof of I thecud truth ate itof brawly,” his assertion said hePeter did Birse,eat it. senior;Only his next helping was taken, not from the remaining bit of “ kitchieThe result kyaaks,” of the but turnip from thecontroversy parlour cakes.was that Tam Meeri- 52 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. veryson and purely his companionsprepared with did salt get anand occasional water; only supper as ofthe “ kail,”three lads“ stuck’n coincided up better in holding to the aul’ decidedly soo,” his that influence Tam oughtand authority to have Tamas foreman was disposed were correspondingly to renew the quarrel diminished. with his And mistress, the less the moreto be didabout the the others kitchen. swear Not“ at lairgeseldom ” whenwas thisthey done, happened with manifestingthe evident theintention slight degreeof provoking of respect warfare, they entertainedas well as forof generalTam, and result for everybodybeing that elseTam connected would sit, withmainly Clinkstyle; dumb, a good the partat himself; of the evening, while Betty, hearing the nohard-wrought end of jibes be-draggled indirectly launched kitchen fellows,damsel wouldand be atat onenext timeturn coarselygiggle and tormented laugh with till shethe wasrough in anda state obscene of the allusions.highest wrath, As for or Mrs. be made Birse, the “bauld” butt of theirwoman oaths as errandsshe was, to even the kitchenshe found as mightit to herbe, whilecomfort “ the to boys,”make as fewher husbandAnd here, termed good them, reader, were I bethoughtabout. me of giving utterance farm-servantto a few “ moral class; reflections and how ” onblame-worthy the degraded they character are for ofbeing our ofsuch vision immoral came and always unmannerly to be obstructed boors. byBut a somehowfull-figure my image line ofparticular Mrs. Birse and of intimate Clinkstyle, acquaintance who, you willof mine.perceive, Mrs. is aBirse very vaguelywould come discernible into the in forefront,the background. and her husband,So I gave Peter,up the was at- whethertempt. Youyou willmay be make able itto on search your thoroughlyown account; into but the I causesdoubt of thisMrs. social Birse evilof Clinkstyle. without being also troubled with the image CHaPTEE IX. PEDAGOGICAL. 53? HEin parishthis history, which formsif not the amply theatre furnished of the principalwith the scenesmeans schools.of education, There had, was,at any first rate, of theall, advantagethe parochial of aschool; couple ofa donesample so ofmuch that fornoble the institution enlightenment which ofis ourunderstood native country.to have chialAnd Ischool, should though be the Ilast have to adepreciate strong opinion the value that theof thestatutory paro- adominies rule, highly of a inefficientquarter of fora century educational ago, up purposes. and down, The were, im- as provementI also believe, in the much general greater style than of is teaching imagined since by manythat timepeople. is, Pyketillim,The Rev. whose Jonathan name hasTawse, been of previously the parochial mentioned, school was of paredconsidered, with hison thebrethren whole, throughout a superior the educationist, Presbytery. as Whatcom- was,the parishioners that his ambition said about lay too him much in the toward early partthe pulpitof his careerto ad- mitcertain of an it isefficient that the discharge Rev. Jonathan of his duties Tawse as wasa teacher. not destitute And heof acould desire call to hiswag own, his powas his in promptsome particular readiness “ topoopit” officiate which for heany usually absent sought or sick opportunity brother of tothe air Presbytery his gifts still testified. farther afieldAnd bruitedabout the that time he madeof the bold, annual on onevacation. occasion, It tohad offer even himself been inBut this whether way to itthe was suffrages that the of people a vacant were town’s inappreciative, congregation. or patronsmand, the unaccommodating Rev. Jonathan Tawseto the influencesettled down that heas coulda dominie, com- freelyand a toconfirmed toddy and old snuff. bachelor, I don’t and think took that rather the Churchkindly andlost themuch dignity in respect of formal of the ordination. Rev. Jonathan For Tawse’s even infailure my totime reach he 54 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. preached at rare intervals in Mr. Sleekaboot’s absence ; and fearwe juniors did not liked tend him to ; edification.only it was forFirstly, reasons his which “ sneeshinie” I greatly ashabits contrasted were a withsort theof pulpitstiff and novelty demure that solemnity tended toof livelinessthe usual paredminister. with And those then of Mr. Tawse’sSleekaboot. services Not were that short he said as com-less, eitherrapidity in of prayer utterance. or in Therethe sermon, are religionists, but he hadI believe, remarkable in the \ JonathanEast at any Tawse, rate, whoin prayer, pray bybehaved machinery. exactly likeNow an the instru- Rev. anment exactitude which had that been was wound remarkable, up, and the must well-worn run down. phrases With fell asin incog rapid answers succession to cog to in each the other, mill wheeleach in and its ownpinion. due order,Thus , weregratitude daily acknowledged mercies, and the; thus weekly was returningour beloved day Queen of rest (a with re- centhigh changecourt of from Parliament, his Majesty the Assemblies the King) prayedof our national for, with Zion, the and all judges and magistrates of the land, that we (the parishionerspeaceable lives, of Pyketillim),that they might under be them a terror might to evillead doers, quiet and aTawse praise came and protectionto the sermon, to such he tackledas do well. it with Then corresponding when Mr. ( ductionsimpetus. ofThey a long were by-gone not new time, sermons when he that had he considered used, but him-pro- selfBlair, a probationer,though marked and by they an wereoccasional framed juvenile after the efflorescencej manner of ofage style of the that preacher. was rather Such out as of they keeping were, withMr. Tawsethe now read mature them-, offthose with principles a monotonous of elocution rapidity and that punctuation did great violencewhich he to was all ofwont his topupils. exemplify The with only impressive breaks in emphasis the discourse in the were, audience! when hecase made compelled a halt himto take to lift snuff, his heador when for the the purpose exigencies of blowing of the j his Butnose aswith I havehis speckled said, Mr. silk Tawse handkerchief. was reckoned an able assiduity,teacher ; andthe monotonyhe laboured of awaythe ordinary in his vocation routine withbeing tolerable broken frequentby occasional coruscations outbursts of of a a sortrather of irritabledry humour temper, that and lay the within! less •onhim. whom He hadhe bestowed usually a muchclass ofpains, two andor three a good “ Laitiners/’j deal of ! PEDAGOGICAL. 55 chastisement.lawyers of the Thesefuture; were only intended the results to didbe thenot parsonsalways fulfiland theLatiners expectations of my time cherished, who, at for this I couldday, are point even to sundryless reverend of the andhis classes learned generally, than myself, Mr. whichTawsehad is saying not amuch good that deal. deserved As to thethere name of thoroughness of method in in their the little management; that he had. and English still less gram- was himselfmar was on one having of the introduced, modern improvements and against which which not he a pridedfew of theing morean unwarranted practical sort curtailment of parents of loudly the time protested, that should as imply- have beentin.” devotedAnd I knowto the ofmore one useful pupil branches,at any rate, particularly who, being “ muchcoon- more earnestly bent on play than work at that period of his andlife, manageda respectable to maintain position ain decent the class, grammatical without hisreputation having everor ever possessed looked ina copythe most of any cursory Grammar way at whatever the day’s of lesson his own, out keepof the one’s imperative acquirements school modestlyhours. Thein subordination,mode adopted andwas ofto class.set purpose Then avoid when beinglesson inconvenientlytime drew near nearone could the topordinarily of the manage“buik,” andto obtainhastily ascan furtive the glancelesson. ofWith some the other thing body’s very numberfresh on betweenthe mind, you and and athe deft top, calculation, of the particular based biton youthe thewould first have round to repeat,creditably you ; stoodand that a fair accomplished, chance of getting it was yourover byown the fault time if youthe wholecould notclass get had sufficiently been gone up overin the to subjectenable eruditionyou to meet at thewith hands impunity of the any dominie. further Thisdemands was aon practi- your cablethe arithmetic course with department both the Grammarit was quite and possible, “ Catechis by judiciousand in guess-work,to have gone and well “ copyingthrough ”the from inevitable others as “ opportunityGray,” rule byoffered, rule, andor “ yetPractice be unable ” without to face heartfelta veryqfiain dread, question if it happenedin “ Proportion” to lie outside of Mr. Gray’s “ examples.” The annual Presbytery examinationmy day it was has felt been to be said anything to be verybut that;much forof awe farce. had oneIn scoldingvehement fits, member which wereof Presbytery much dreaded who ;broke while freelyanother out had in 56 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. an appalling facility in scribbling down arithmetical problems facethat inmade the theway hair of attemptingstand on end their to thinksolution; of, muchand thusmore the to formidableyearly appearance ordeal toof which“ the minaisterswe were subjected. ” came to beIn thethe mostordi- whonary wascourse alive we todozed the current away verydodges comfortably, of the time and might the pupilhave asfor muchthere wastrifling no realand systemremain of about testing as hisignorant acquirements, as he chose, and whenhe only some needed extreme to dreadaberration being on his“ brought part had to put the Mr. scratch Tawse ” in a thorough rage. Then he might expect a severe over- haul, with a ;,certain amount of punishment by having his with“ lugs the ruggit, “ tawrds the ” sides implanted of his onhead his cuffed, palms; or and a few thereafter strokes thingsNow, settled as I down have againindicated, to the itordinary had been routine. felt by many judiciousunder Mr. parishioners Tawse, was toothat much the parochial of a mere school high-class of Pyketillim, academy. tered,The complaint was lacking was in not general that Mr.efficiency Tawse’s and system, thoroughness, as adminis- but thatGremmar, he “ took an’ itherup his buik heid leernin—a owre muckle mixter-maxter wi’ that Laitin o’ figures an’ wi’ the letters o’ the ABC, aneuch to turn the creaturs’ heids.” Anddominie indeed had itreally was driven cautiously one pupilaverred doited by bysome, the thatdistance the heMathematics. had endeavoured Mr. Tawse to lead himself him into said the the abstruse lad was regiona natural of bornhim by dunce dint of; that hard he drilling, had hoped but that to makehis “ harns,”a decent after scholar deduct- of anding thethat outer his owncase, muddled might have stupidity been contained was the onlyin an disaster eggshell, of boyan intellectual was the elder kind son that of wasMains ever of Yawal.likely to befallOf course, him. MainsThe did not relish the insinuation, and complained to Mr. Sleek- aboot“ Oh, of Jonathan’swell, you know rude hisstyle temper of speech. is a little hasty ; but he is a man of sterling principle, and a very competent teacher,” said“Still Mr. Sleekaboot.an’on,” replied Mains, “it’s nae ceevil eesage to speak“ In that what wye branches aifter he has gat’s the nainboy failedgate wi’ ?” the laddie.” he’s“ jistWeel, a kin’ aw cudnao’ daumer’t say; hei’ the hisna heid been like.” makin’ naething o’’t; PEDAGOGICAL. 57 boy’s“ Hecapacity?” has perhaps increased his tasks too much for the upo’“ youngI cudna shou’ders, say aboot’s ye ken.capacity—ye I suppose canna he’s pit jist an like aul’ itherheid laddies.”“ H—m, yes ; well, I ’ll speak to Mr. Tawse, and get him to modify“ My rael his tasks.”opingan is,” said Mains of Yawal, resolved to deyknhave a athit the at commonMr. Tawse, coontin “that ’imsel’; the dominie’s an’ that naemak’s gryte ’im , asae kin’ fond o’ slichtto get o’them han’.’’ on to some o’ that rowles that works by “ what“Sleight works ofby hand!”sleight ofsaid hand?" Mr. Sleekaboot, with a smile, “ fan“Weel, I wuntit I’ll him tell to ye, gi’e sir,” Sawney answered a raith Mains, at lan’ pulling mizzourin’, up, ! tosae—there’s qualify ’im naebodyfor a lan’ wudsteward ken, or yesiclike, ken—he gin it begood ever happen’t aboot deein’tit was sic by an Algaibra advantage an’ toJiggonometry, dee't that gate. an’ threepitNoo, I’m owre seer me’t fan lerDawvid mizzourer Hadden, o’ grun the ingrun a plain offisher—an’ wye i’ the there’s seyven nae pairishes— a capital- naethingcam’ owre but to jistlay theaff achyne bit o’ an’oor ’s ootfeedles poles, an’ lasta bit year, sclattie he notan’ skaillie.Mr. SleekabootAn’ him an’ perceived me keest that it upMains in a washan’ rather clap.” gratified byof attemptinghis own success further in elaboratethe delivery argument of this speech. with him, So, he instead crept upthe hispractical soft side question by ostensibly of land measuring;deferring to Mains’sand then opinions promisinf on Tawse,that he andwould bring talk him the to whole a right matter frame overof mind with toward Jonathan the youngermuch difficulty, Mains succeededof Yawal. in Andhealing Mr. this Sleekaboot, breach. withoutBut h« thefailed west in eradicatingside of the theparish, opinion that thatit was obtained, desirable especially to have ina schoolbent on better a purely adapted practical to meeting education—the the wants “ of modern those who side wen ” in theirAnd view, thus in itshort. came about that the side school of Smiddy- wardoriginal was geniuses established. who seemSandy born Peterkin with anwas extremely one of thosegood I forcapacity turning for acquiringthe knowledge knowledge, so acquired and no capacityto any noticeable whatever ' -S3 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. otheraccount, people so far connected as bettering with theirthem own is concerned. position, or Inbenefitting his boy- easehood andhe had avidity sucked ; and in knowledgethen, when withhe came a sort within of good sight natured of a hopespractical of hisapplication friends by of changing the same, his Sandymind, anddisappointed turning out the a everkind ofhave “sticket had doctor.”sufficient I nervereally fordon’t the think medical that Sandy profession. could hisThen, fortune, in an and,equally after erratic twenty fashion, years, hereturned had gone without abroad finding to seek it. inIn thea general locality, way, willing then, toSandy settle had down, again but made without his appearance any parti- tocular apply vocation, himself or to. well-defined Luckily foridea Sandy, as to what the agitationhe would on desire the timesubject pretty of Mr. keen, Tawse’s and theshortcomings notion of wasanother at that school particular rather popular.Sleekaboot Iopposed would thenot projectinsinuate that that Johnny it was Gibb because lent his Mr.aid —whichso zealously they in pierced patching with up twothe windowsold maltbarn of four at Smiddywardpanes each, toat theadapt same the placetime converting as a school. the Butingle Johnny into a certainlyhearth—in did order take ingan activethe cost part of materialin planning and theworkmanship structural asworks, well asand in defray-recom- gweedmending coonter, the new an’ teacher a prencipal as a han’“ byous at mizzourinclever chiel, grun.” a feerious his Atschool the datefor only of my a few story, years, Sandy the usualPeterkin winter had attendanceconducted creased,numbering and about in order thirty to pupils.eke out Inhis summerstipend itfor naturally that part de- of tothe hire year, himself Mr. Peterkin out as awas raker, wont, or when general the errand “ hairst man, play to ” came,some of theSuch neighbouring were the two farmers. schools and schoolmasters of Pyke- tillim. CHAPTER X. benjie’s classical studies. .tWT was to Jonathan Tawse, such as I have described him, ^3 that the goodwife of Clinkstyle took her youngest son, ofBenjie, the law. with theShe view had of unfolded his addicting to the himself dominie to theher profession plans re- asgarding to the the requisite future curriculumof the young of study.man, and wished his advice for “Ou,the regular weel,” coorse said Jonathan, in classics.” “we’d jist hae to set him on classes“ I wudna will he won’er,” hae to gae answered throu’ synethe goodwife. ?—ye ken he’s“ An’ i’ foo the mony foort uncoclass, kittlean’ complete words’t’s maister nain fadero’ the canmuckle mak’ spell-buik, naething ’cepo’.” some nae“ classes.Hoot-toot-toot, Mair yeplainly, ’re wrang an’ i’he the war up-tak’—it’s a wee thing classics— better maungrun’it put in English—throughhim to Latin an’ so Mason’s on.” Collection may be—we “ TheDis lawvyersmair the better,need muckle whan they o’’t, want noo?” to bamboozle simple gat'sfowk,” grey said mare the dominie. droon’t whan“ Like he Davieran to Lindsay’s the coort:— carman, that WithinThey gave aucht me days first Iane gat thing but libellandum they call citandum. ; WithinIn half ane yearmonth I gat I gat inter ad loquendum.oppenendwn; An’But syneI cud I nevergat—how ane wordcall you yet it understand ?—ad replicandum him.” ; “ Keep me, Maister Tawse! ye’ve sic a heid o’ leemin yersel’.ye war toI try.dinna But believe mithnin but heye deecud wi’mak’ the up less a prentcoontin?” buik an’ “ No ; certainly not; he maun hae Mathematics confeerin.” I wud“An’ think, that tobe thenae gateloss o’’t,time. the Cudnaseener he’sye begin begun ’im the at better, ance awi’ gran’ a bit scholar lesson ?o’’s ‘ Leern size. ear’,He leern wud bleck’sfair,’ they breeder say, an’ that’s Benjie’s twa year aul’er nor him, ony day.” 6o JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. time“ Awed,no Latin lat dass, me see,”had begunsaid Mr. to Tawse,cast about who, as having to the possi-at the anitherbility of ane setting or twa, one agoingan’ try forthem the wi’winter, the Rudiments—ye“ I ’ll see if I can may get jist “get That’s a Ruddiman the buik i’ that the theymeanwhile, get the orLaitin we see.” oot o’, is’t?” “ No,It cudna no ; jistbe deenthe grammar—the wuntin, cud it?rules I o’dinna the language.” care aboot owre“ Caremuckle or o’no that care, gremmar, it’s quite ’s indispensableye ca’ ’t. ; an’ it’s utter tatednonsense tone. to speak o’ wuntin’t,” said Mr. Tawse, in an irri- “ They ’re sic a herrial, that buiks,” pursued Mrs. Birse. “Aye,Kroodymans aye needin’ lyin’ aboot?new buiks I’m ; but seer maybe Benjie ye wudna mith haeblaud an it—aul’ he’s“ richtNo, no, carefu’ Mrs. o’’s Birse. buiks, I’m peer nae thing.” a dealer in aul’ buiks”— ye hed“ Eh, hed forbid’t ane’t yeI sud cud mint a len’t at that,the laddie, Maister I’m Tawse seer ;we but wud an’ a. been“ If yericht dinna muckle value obleeg’t.” yer son’s edication sufficiently to think it worth yer while to pay for the necessary buiks, jist train ’im for “’Deed,the pleuch Maister stilts atTawse, ance.” I’ll dee naething o’ the kin’. ban’sThere’s for neen a liveliheid, o’’s fader’s an’ itfaimily cam’ torequarin that, noo. to workPeter wi’ ’ll their get an’the histack sister at hame, sanna ’s wunt breeder ’er providin’an’ Robbie ’ll be pitten gin that in war’ttill a place, a’ we cudBenjie; manage but fanto plenishcraiturs the has best pairts fairm for i’leernin, the laird’s it’s aaucht tem’pin for o’ Providence“ Oh, rara toavis keep in themterrisl” back.” “ Oh,Fat saidthat’s ye?” only the Latin way o’expressin’ my admiration o’weel the whatboy’s apairts,” comprehensive said Mr. an’ Tawse, elegant “ an’tongue it shows it is. yeIt verawud faebe aLatin perfect authors—I’m delight to ye sure to hearit wud.” Benjie rattlin’ aff sentences “ AIs merethat Kroodymanstrifle—a maitter a dear o’ twa buik, shillin’s Maister or half-a-croon.”Tawse?” sen’in“ Weel, to the I toon—theythink ye mith ’ll maybe jist get gi’e it somethe first discoont time’t toye the ’re likethe raith.”o’ you—an’ we can coont aboot the price o’’t at the en’ o’ BENJIE’S classical studies. 6i Ruddiman was procured in due course, and Benjie set to the study of it, along with a lad whom Mr. Tawse had got as —nobodya boarder, knewand whoexactly was who. understood He was to anbe idlethe boy,natural but sonquick of enoughBenjie made, when as he Mr. chose Tawse to applyconfessed, himself. an extremelyAnd thus bad he team. and eulogisticFor if the estimate truth must of Benjie’sbe told, literary notwithstanding capacity, asMrs. compared Birse’s thewith Messrs. that of Birse, his paternal junior, hadparent manifested and elder exactly brothers, brilliant none in-of showntellectual had parts; been andvery anydistinctly capacity in the or directionpredilection of intermed-they had thedling affairs with ofcattle the andfarm. horses, I don’t and think concerning that Mr. themselves Birse, senior, with waslong inago the reconciled least disappointed himself to at the this, idea though that Benjie of course was he some- had howRuddiman to be theagreed great but and ill learned with Benjie’s man of tastes,the family. and theHowbeit conse- hadquence scarcely was that got whenpast Ego the firstAmo, “ raithTu Amos, ” was andalmost certainly ended, had he thisnot thewas remotestnot all. Theconception effect ofof Benjie’swhat it wasstudies all hadabout. been But to growingdrive him frequency, home from in school,a shattered over andstate over of health.again, andNow with it “was wyme,” his andhead Benjie that shedwas manyin a dreadful salt tears state, over hisand deplorable next his condition.This state of things could not go on. Clinkstyle growled, andlearning; averred and that the his goodwife youngest coaxed son would and coddledbe killed with by too no muchbene- whetherficial result. he was Then not tasking she went the excellentto Mr. Tawse youth totoo ascertainseverely, aseldest it was son alleged and heir; he andhad shedone came in the back case in ofa greatMains rage, of Yawal’s for Mr. Tawsevery plainly had beensomething curt and about uncomplimentary, Benjie “shamming,” and hadafter hintedwhich ceededhe abruptly to the left interior Mrs. Birse of the standing school tooutside finish the his door,day’s andlabours. pro- need“ Weel,a heid weel,o’ iron’t ’oman,” could said gae Peterthrou’ Birse, that stuff; senior, ye “they ’ll need wud to pit a“ Gaestop ’wa’till’t wi’some yer gate.” buff; it’s muckle’t ye ken aboot it,” answeredvinced by Peter’shim at anydutiful rate. spouse, determined not to be con- 62 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. “ Jist wyte than till ye see the upshot. I sudna won’er norpen’t he wi’ mak’ Mains’s the laddieladdie.” an objeck for life—min’ fat naar hap- smeddum“ Mains’s aboot laddie ’im ! norHumph the like! An’ o’ my that son gawkie hinna trypal,some mair it’s time'taifter edication. he war set toYe herd micht the hae laird’s some geese regaird instead for ither o’ followin’ fowk’s feelin’s,“ But man, I’m ginnae yesayin’ hae ’t neen Benjie for hisnayer nain a better !” uptak’ nor the like“Better o’ him,” uptak’!’’pleaded Peterexclaimed apologetically. Mrs. Birse. “Sma’ thanks t’ ye for that! Foo afen hiv I seen ’im, peer innocent, bleck you an’Gweed. ’s breeders An’ that’s tee, readin’ fat he namiegets for’s chapters pains !oot I’m o’ theseer Word he sets o’ an example“ Hoot, ’oman!to aul’er fowk.”I wusna meanin’ to misca’ oor nain lad- “An’Peter foohad did not ye an dee’t answer than, ready—in Peter Birse? time at Tellany rate—andme that” ’tMrs. deet Birse Can’lesmas went on, was“ I’m a year,seer ye wan ken in brawly to be fat a lawvyerwye my uncle,aboot feckAiberdeen, o’ them an’ does. made Awat jist anhe len’itondeemas a hantle thing to the o’ siller—astoonship, thean’ leeft a vast o’ property forbye. Peer man, he did little gweed ferentwi’ 't i’ seetivationthe hin’er en’; fae orslavin’ some on o’’s till mith ony ’aane, been takin’ in achairge vera dif- o’ bestial,servan’s. andBut’s milkness, wife’s freensan’ a raivepack ao’ heapvulgar o’’t tragaff o’ o’ ’im fairm fan leefthe was fan livin’, he weer an’ awa’.”manag’t to get the muckle feck o’ fat was come“ But on saeaw weel,”doot he said hed Peter. a hantle o’ enfluence, or he wudna he hed“Aw ; fanwon’er he gaedto hear to theye speak,toon, as man. I’ve Fatheard enfluence ’im tellin’ cud a an’dizzen a’ ’s o’spare times, claise a laddie i’ the neukwi’ a o’’ttartan ? Forbye, plaid aboot’sisna there shou’ders, Maister fanPettiphog’t ye pat awa’ fell yerinto second my uncle’s horseman bizness, fernyear an’ was for oor stravaigin awgent ’sfae sharnie the toon beets o’ the on—a Sabbath vera respectablenicht, an’ gyaun man—didna in owre’s he bed begin, wi’ as he“ True, taul’s true,” ’imsel’, said upo’ Peter, the in‘ sweepin’s a half bewildered o’ the Shirra tone. Coort.’ ” tali’“Aweel, Benjie foraw a think’prentice it wudat ance, be ill’san’ pitpairt, ’im an’o’ the he roadwudna to benjie’s classical studies. 63 o’mak’ you a at wye ony o’ rate.” deein for ’imseP. He made a braw penny afl volubleIt was reasoning; impossible and for hePeter had to virtually answer succumbedsuch powerful before and ofMrs. her Birse discourse, reached which the revealedconcluding a part and ofmore the practical plan of Benjie’s portion althoughfuture of aswhich now he presented had not ithitherto rather commendedgot the faintest itself glimpse, to him. Thesentiments, effect upon was, Mrs.on the Birse whole, herself soothing. of so fullyBut expressingon one thing her Tawseshe was a fullysnubbing. resolved, So, come in addressing what would—to our promising give Jonathan young gentlemanments to Maister next morning, Tawse noo,she Benjie,said, “Ye’ll an’ tell tak’ ’im myto sen’compli- the rate—an’accoont wi’ gin ye—the he canna raith’s manage oot atto thebehave en’ o’ wi’ this common ouk at cee-ony vilitybairns to withoot them’t brakin’ he’s makin’their health, ’s breid maybe aff o’,anither and teachwill. theirWill ye min’What that, this noo threat ?” signified exactly, in the mind of the per- anyson whorate, uttered when it,Benjie it would brought perhaps the be accountdifficult toMrs. guess. Birse’s At forthoughts the ordinary took quite curriculum a practical of theshape. school Jonathan was 3s. Tawse’s6d. a-quar- fee ter;and whenwhen LatinMrs. wasBirse included saw the he enormous made it two charge shillings of 5s. more; 6d., followedlittle time by before 2s. 6d. she for could a half-bound give adequate Ruddiman, expression it was to some her feelings.an “extortion;” She declared and next first that that ere she she would did neverpay she pay would such certainlydominie beforemake Peterthe “ Birse,Shirra,” senior, where face the theaccount unconscionable would be rigorouslyin the face “taxed,” of the world. and theThe iniquity actual ofresult its authoras regards exposed the accountsent to pay itself it, waswith thatorders after to adeliver while certainPeter Birse,sarcastic senior, remarks was bearingof Mr. Tawse; on the andcombined which greedorders and Peter, professional as is usual incapacity in such mumbledcircumstances, some did sort not of awkwardcarry out apologyto the letter; for the but, withdrawal indeed, ofstantly Benjie removed—a from the resultschool; which for, Benjieof course, seemed he hadin no been wise in- to regretbe determined during thewhat interregnum should be donethat withoccurred him next.until it should CHAPTER XI. THE KIRK ROAD. ^OW shall I describe the Kirk Road of Pyketillim ? Of assemblingcourse for itpublic is the worship Kirk Road that whenI mean. the parishioners are SamuelIt is Pikshulea beautiful has spring duly Sundaytolled his morning eight o’clock of the bell,year which 184.2. hollowsends itsto thebillows furthest of pleasant end of themelody parish, rolling amid over the still,bank dewy and breakfast,sunlight; thenand shavedhe has off gone his beard,and deliberately and washed discussed his face, be-his fore he would ring ten o’clock and turn the key in the kirk door.It was at a quarter to twelve that Sarnie began to ring the werepeople to in.be seenBut forwending good slowlypart of onward an hour in beforetwos andthat threes they bywhich this winds and thatalong side by Smiddyward,path into the Gushetneuk, “’commodation and Clink-road,” style, and so on over the Knowe and down upon the Kirk- selvestown. intoAs theygroups, met larger on the or mainsmaller, road according they resolved to taste them- and includingother circumstances. one sturdy oldHere dame, is a knot with of close three mutch,or four women,ancient arm,shawl fineof faded as the hue, day and is big ; there umbrella another planted couple, firmly one under of herin- spinster,definitely andgoodwifely a lassie aspect,clanking the on inother heavy evidently “ tacketie a ”thrifty shoes atthe their semi-prophetic skirts, anxious gossip, to get and what to discover comprehension the individualities she may of referredthat occupy to in the the tongues confidentially-breathed of her seniors. “There she says, Dawvid says Had-she,” hisden, hat, ground-officer wipes his brow, to Sir lets Simon his wife Frissal, forgather pulls with up, whomtakes sheoff onemay, thumb and the in hisbairns waistcoat scatter armhole, on in front, and putswhile the he other hooks hand his below his coat tail to wait for Hairry Muggart, the wright. THE KIRK ROAD. 6$ and get the news as they jog socially on, picking up a fit com- panionsturdy chaps,or two freeby the from way. the ploughAt other for points one day,we have and knotsdone upof theiraccording brilliant to taste neckerchiefs in rough greyflying tweeds, loose, and tramping with the along ends byof andthemselves; fully conscious and “ skweel that Jonathan loons,” onTawse’s the alert rule for is idleintermitted pranks, utmostfor the speed.time, now loitering and next scampering on with of friendlyWhen the inquiries journey to is make about as accomplished, we cluster about we thehave kirkyard no end “ yettthen slowly filter inward to re-group ourselves on the croniesopen space on the in greenfront ofslope the under kirk door;the venerable to sit down trees, with or it a may few behow on far a “our lair notes stane” about in God’s the acreweather itself, and to takethe snuffcrops and agree. see andSarnie it beginsis only to when ring Mr.at the Sleekaboot quarter, butis seenwe let coming him ring up on;the thatlong wewalk betake in full ourselves canonicals to the(we interiorhad no ofvestry the kirk,in those crushing days) bein inallowed, a somewhat and plantingramshackle ourselves and irreverent in attitude fashion to sleep, it must or observe,But I aswill the not case describe may be. the church services farther than hasmuch, been I presume, already whatdone. mightOur have profiting been usuallyexpected. was Atpretty the closeseized Mr.the “Sleekaboot ladles ”—substantially sat down composedly, built ladles andthey thewere, elders and hadbulated served the kirk.their purposeWe gave for our generations “ bawbees ”past—and like loyal Presby-peram- teriansone, and ; thatsometimes is to say, his the wife head another, of the or family one alwaysof the eldergave bairns—aadhered to habit in most and congregations, practice which town have and been country, most faithfully till this andday; position,insomuch who that would hundreds be ashamed of worthy to people offer lessof fair than wealth six- thepence usages to any of otherthese goodancient object, Christians proclaim by theircarefully veneration abstaining for “from counterfeit ever dropping presentment” into the of “ herbrod Majesty. ” aught elseWell, than we a did copper this inmore the than parish once church seeing of a man—itPyketillim; was and up “I i’ dothe notlaft recollect”—put a hispenny offering into theto the “ brod statutory ” as it amountwas pushed by taking round, out and a then“ bawbee.” adjust 66 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. gathering.When the To“kirk be skail’t,”sure, if theSamie scene Pikshule was different had a fromroup the to and“ scry,” eager or aclustering strayed stirk about to “him adverteese,” at the kirk there gable, was asa generalSamie “ yabbled ” out the particulars. But otherwise we put on double “steam courts to ofwhat the was sanctuary,” in use when as weMr. were Sleekaboot dandering phrased up to the it. «I maleBefore parishioners we were clear (usually of the Kirktownelderly ones, some familiar half dozen with of the \ ishdwellers and flint”in the inKirktown, their “Sunday and who claes”) cared nothad to availed carry “them- fleer- ; seenselves in of a “cloudlet a het sod of ” blue to light smoke their rising pipes here ; and and the thereresult overwas I andthe streamswest; everybody of people nowas theymarching moved onward on in steadywith something flow east i of theNow, air itof so those happened who have that serious on the businessparticular on Sunday hand. morn- ingwith to him which over I havethe day,made as reference,a visitor, aPeter particular Birse friend had livingfrom been“ up-throu’,” out betimes an ardent in the agriculturist morning and like hadhimself. enjoyed The a twosaunter had theyover went.Clinkstyle’s After fields, the ten discussing o’clock bellmatters had relativerung in, theretoand long as : ofafter the breakfast, garden walk, it occurred not knowing to Peter well as howthey tostood occupy at the them- top ; spareselves timefurther, yet betweenthat a profitable them and usethe hourmight of be public made worship. of the the “wuds Nyod, gyaun fat wud to yethe say kirk. to takin’ The a lairdstap roonhas ab’ pucklethe back fine o’ , stirksaboot ?”i’ the Upper Holm park ’t the grieve’s aye blawin' “ OuOot ay.already They ?” war some scant o’ strae, ye see ; they i keep sae mony horse beasts aboot the place. But they ’re fine 1 lythewinter parks, naar.” an’ eaP tee; beasts mith live i’ them throu’ the stranger.“I wud like freely weel to see them, man,” said the “And Weel, they jist went heely by till the I gi’eback a cryof thein’t woods—itwe ’re awa’.” was a long admired.way round—where Then they the stumbled stirks were on a dulyfield seen,of the criticised, laird’s which and j thea “ skancegrieve was” of preparingwhat was togoing be laidon there.down in turnips, and took ; THE KIRK ROAD. 6/ “ It’s easy deen for them’t yachts the grun to try protticks wi’ ’t,” observed Peter. “ He’sOu na; been but trenchin’, they hed aseefly,” gryte strengthsaid his o’friend. beasts rivin’ 't up wi’ fat they ca’ a subsoil pleuch.” “ TheAy, ay,stibble stibbles.” lan’, likein?” bit faughWeel, across I cudna the say;rig i’ awthe wud en’ o’be the some year, dootfu’ an’ syne aboot a gweedit. A deep“ Oh,fur’s loshie, better ay, nor man,” turnin’ said up Peter the caul’ Birse. boddom.” “ But than, ye see it’sa crap a’ ae; an’ thing he ’llto haudhim faton hethe pit manure into the to thegrun mast-heid, gin he can fatever raise ga-anoit may cost.stuff’t Theythey speakwar sayin’ aboot.” he hed gotten a cum o’ that “ Yea, man!” replied the stranger, in a wondering tone. stoodThey up approachedon the top ofthe the corner “ backit of a dyke,” field off when the Mr.road, Birse and ga-anoexclaimed, i’ the “ Awneuk div o’ notthe believepark.” but here’s a hillockie o’ that manure,Peter whichwas right. he and hisGuano friend, was who then understood a newly-introduced the virtues ofa consignmentbone dust perfectly, of the hadIchaboe not yetvariety, seen. whereofThe grieve he hadhad gotde- positednip sowing. a small In parcel a twinkling in the corner our two of worthies the field had to await leapt tur- off the “dyke Eh, andman, were but busy it’s examining fushionless-like the guano. stuff!” said Peter tweenBirse’s his friend, finger after and inquiringly thumb. crushing a sample or two be- was“ Peter’sIsnin’t reply.a mervel fat wye that cud gar onything grow?” ““But Weel, does’t I’ve raellynae rizzon dee’t, to man?" misdoot the grieve’s word; an’ hefernyear tauP me like that the itvera sent shot up o’some a gun.” cabbage kail’t he try’t it on a body“ Man, gae aw the wud length like o’richt takin’ weel the to fu’try o’a puckliea sneeshin o’’t. pen?”Mithna “ AwatGin they ye maywudna tak’ think a nievefu’ it greedy-like, on-been an’tmiss’t,” were said kent.” Peter. wye’ll“Feint we cairry’t?”a fears o’ that,” answered Peter Birse. “But fat “ Ou, that ’ll be easy deen,” said Peter’s visitor, shaking haudout his it fine.”crumpled cotton pocket handkerchief; “the dud’ll 68 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. “ Wed,But wunnin it’s keerious ye tak’ aI didnastam yersel’?”think o’ that,asked no.” the stranger. “ Wed—aw dinna differ. I ’se tell the grieve't we wus tryin’And the so quality Peter ©’’snext ga-ano.” spread out his handkerchief, into which he too put a handful of guano. The samples were duly bestowedresumed theirin the journey coat pocketsto the kirk,of the at twowhich friends, they arrivedwho then in due Itime, do not highly know pleased how far with the their suggestion experiences may bybe thenecessary way. that the olfactory nerves of Peter Birse and his friend would factnot seembeen otherwise,to have been it wouldparticularly appear sensitive. to me highly But probablehad the thatfore thethey two entered gentlemen the kirk would of havethe likelihoodhad some indicationsof a perfume be- pockets.rather more It wouldpowerful appear, than however,pleasant thatproceeding nothing fromof the their sort enteredhad disturbed and gravely their seatedreflections themselves ; at any before rate, the the guano two had cost them a second thought. Things did not remain long in early,this quiescent entered next,state, withhowever. Miss Birse.Mrs. Birse,Peter who and seldom the stranger came usedid andnot risewont, to simply put the “ hirsledladies into yont,” the and pew, made but, room according for them to thenat the her end mother of it. sniffed,Miss Eliza and lookedBirse seated first at herself the floor and and sniffed; then at her husband. And all at once the situation flashed upon andpoor Peter’sthe man mind! before Yes! him, He who did had feel theturned odour half of theround guano; and shule,looked who into was Peter’s going pew, along evidently the “ pass” felt toit shuttoo. theSamie door, Pik- felt itit, wasand saidstopped by thoseshort withnear anhim inquiring that Samuel glance uttered around something him; and aboutstechin “someup the kirk.”chiel cornin’But what there could wi’ aClinkstyle foumart do?in’s pouch,There he was, shut into the top of the pew, and the service going on.predicament To rise moreand force widely his ; wayfor he out would would without be to proclaim fail perform his door.the function And thenof censer it would to the be congregation of no use unless all the he way took to thehis friendI have with no him. real delight in cruelty to animals, and will not sermon.enlarge uponHe hadthe agonyno doubt endured whatever by Peterthat Mrs.Birse Birse during knew the THE KIRK ROAD. 69 him to be guilty—his own imploring look had betrayed him werethere. fixedHe uponfancied him, that and the he eyes verily of believed the whole that congregation Mr. Sleek- personally.aboot was directingThe stranger, part ofwho his seemed observations to be atowards placid man,him satcourse, perfectly got abroadunmoved. pretty On generallythe whole, amongthe incident, the people which of Peter;Pyketillim, and didit maynot betend added to securethat heincreased was once respect or twice for illustrationthereafter judiciously of the necessity reminded for a ofmore it bydiscreet his spouse,head than as hisan etiquette.own to decide Thus in, farat anyon therate, social all matters aspect ofof breedingthe question. and momentPeter’s sole supposed defence he whencould beput wrong to it was, in following that he thenever example for a ofBirse; his visitor,and that who, neither moreover, of them was dreamt a distant that “relative the ga-ano of Mrs. cud haeTo hed his sic surprise a rank kneggum.”Mrs. Birse replied, with not a little solem- mentnity, “o’ Weel-a-wat, ye for brakin’ ye theneedna Sabbath.” be supris’t nor it be a jeedg- CHAPTEE XII. THE SMIDDYWARD PRAYER MEETING. VERJohnny since Gibb the had time been of applyinghis visit histo themind Wells more inactively 1839, versationthan before of tohis the Mamoch current friendecclesiastical had given questions. him an impetusThe con- in that direction, which occasional epistolary communications fromsionist the scenes same enacted quarter, there, with asaccounts recorded of inthe the exciting newspapers, intru- had41 burden served ” againstto prolong a jollyand intensify.and ease-loving And whereas clergy hadJohnny’s pre- nunciationviously partaken of them very as “much dumb of dogs the who nature cannot of abark,” general he hadde- now learnt clearly to distinguish between “ Moderates ” and “In Evangelicals,” the person of and Mr. these Sleekaboot, words were moreover, frequently Johnny on hisdeemed lips. thatset the he foundworthy the man very terribly incarnation on edge, of Moderatism. and as the soundsThis fact of wakefulcontroversy ears, in he the felt Church it only courts the more fell everincumbent and anon on himon histo thisstand crisis boldly was up Roderickfor the good M‘Aul, cause. the souterHis right-hand at Smiddyward, man in andnarrative, it so happenedthe Rev. thatAlister about Macrory, the date whom now thereached souter in hadmy aknown good inopinion, his youth, but who,and byof whosesome mischance,gifts and pietyhad hithertohe had throughfailed in gettingthe region, tied andto any felt parish that he in couldparticular, not dowas less passing than call upon his old acquaintance, by whom he was hospitably theentertained. visitor’s conversation;Johnny Gibb, andof course, it then was occurred asked over to tothe enjoy two pressedfriends that,for time, as the they Rev. might Alister retain Macrory his services was notfor aparticularly few weeks, onceand giveof hearing the parishioners the Gospel ofpreached. Pyketillim It wasthe opportunityan easy matter for andto secure it was the secured use of accordingly. Sandy Peterkin’s school for the purpose, THE SMIDDYWARD PRAYER MEETING. 71 eitherThe as school regards at externalSmiddyward appearance was not anor interiorimposing decoration. structure, notIt was longitudinally; straw-thatched, and with inside the theredoor werehalved desks transversely, and seats and of “a openvery ”plain one, withsort thefor “about wood forty work pupils.” quite “ Thevisible roof ” (so was far anas the “accumulation divots ” that ofover-laid soot thereon it. There admitted), Sandy and Peterkin not less bore so rule.equalled His Sandy’s school, most let me sanguine say, was expectations. thriving in a wayI don’t that think, fully however,Macrory’s that services these had were been very held extravagant. in the school The on firsta week-day of Mr. evening,event had with caused an audience no little talkthat halfin the filled parish. the place;Johnny and Gibb the lect“ precented,” his having a serviceoccasionally which performed, the older parishioners on emergencies, could inrecol- the parishof Mr. kirk,Macrory, many without long years any “ago paper” ; and to the aid energetichim therein, oratory was contrastfitted to startle,it presented apart toaltogether the perfectly from theunimpassioned matter, by the perfor- very well-thumbedmance of Mr. MS.,Sleekaboot, which theas hemore read attentive over once parishioners more the dateknew of so its well last by preaching, head-mark and that also they predict, could withgive tolerableyou day andac- thecuracy, Rev. the Alister next timeMacrory, it would albeit be a putlittle to uncouththe same and use. violent But directlyin his manner, forward atand a particulargiven to pointshaking in hishis audience, fist and asstaring if he wantedto all appearance, to single you a manout individually really in earnest, to be preached and the at,general was, quarter.impression made by his discourses was something new in the drewNow, her ithopeful so happened younger that son, at Benjie, the very from time the Mrs. pedagogic Birse with- rule offitted Jonathan to stagger Tawse, that eminentlyone or two prudentlittle incidents matron, had and occurred even to someMiss Birseextent had to shakespent theher winterbelief in theAberdeen, human racein attendance generally. atwonderfully a fashionable successful ladies’ inseminary; picking and,up that let meuneasy say it,polish, had been and thethose manner stilted ofconventional our proper andphrases properly-trained that lend such young a charm ladies. to herShe an was acquisition coming home in the “ best finished society ” in in a thestyle parish. that should So thought make 72 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. herEliza mamma; had boarded and thewith idea a distant had occurredrelative whose to her, hospitality that, as kebbuckie,”was deemed onceamply for repaid all, with by the a dozen presentation of eggs ofand a “ a half-stane pound or totwo the of interestingbutter every young month, lady, when Benjie fresh might linen bewas sent despatched to some lodgerschool ofon classicthe same repute, terms. and Mrs.fill his Birse sister’s was vacated scandalised place when as a the ungrateful people made it known that they “ cudna tak’ a fillcountra o’ their loon nainand on nae accoont—they she was more hed than owre scandalised mony mou’s at the to the“ dryness goodman ” exhibited of the house, by them as ittowards seemed, Eliza had athad parting, to carry when her supplement“ things ” past for KittybrewsterMiss Birse the to sixpencethe “ Flyboat she was ” house, short andof her to fare“ homeward I’m seer fowk by that wudna admirable ken fat medium to dee to of keep communication. doon the ill acrap pawrent’s o’ some hert creaturs. b’ refeesin Fan thethey laddie, war onfeelin peer innocent, aneuch tothey try notnaday has ’a lattenshe kent oot theirwi’ them; breath an’ upo’ weel her; may mony seem—her a bare aneuch vera An’frocks she needin’ hedna takin’hed bawbees in to keep to themget pieces onfa’en till aff’ersel’ o’ her files, body. oot teno’ sicht a mischief o’ their o’ bairns, hunger.” aw div not believe but she wud ’a got- However,So said Mrs. as BenjieBirse, incould her notindignation. be transferred to Aberdeen, a dilemma had occurred; and during its continuance Master enjoyBenjamin, rural aslife; has in been such formssaid, seemedas, for example, in nowise those indisposed of walking to withpony Tamto water Meerison and back, at the and plough grooming for hours, it, despite and theriding warn- the ingscupations of his on mother a young as manto the destined degrading to learned tendency pursuits. of such Hisoc- lessnext howelder his brother education being was intended picked up.for theSo farm,things it hadmattered gone thaton for Benjie some wasweeks, to whenbe sent all to of Sandy a sudden Peterkin Mrs. Birse to continue announced his protested.studies. PeterBut Birse,Mrs. Birsesenior, was shook firm. hisFinding head dubiously sundry other and arguments“ But, ye unavailing, ken, Sandy Peter disna urged— preten’ to be claer o’ the Laitin ’imsel’,ithers.” ’oman; an’ ye cudna expeck him to leern’t weel till THE SMIDDYWARD PRAYER MEETING. 73 “ An’ fat for no ? There’s fowk preten’s to be claer upon’t that“ mak’sOu, but but ye a kenpeer Maister shot at Tawseleernin hednaithers.” Benjie lang.” at it;“ An’ an’ hedna aifter hea’, Jockhis peer Ogg, fader the wasgauger’s forced loon, to packhaill twa’im awa’year an’to the lees; sea. for’s The nain fient gweed-mither a flee hed he taul’ leern’t me but oot a o’ lot ’er o’ ain ill tricksmou. ondeemasAn’ that aul’, soom greedy, for skweel sneeshinie fees a’howffin the time. gaen Aon bonnie chairgin’ story an to say that the peer innocent was feingyin fan 5he tyeuk a drow!creaturs.” Jist his nain strunge mainner an’ ill natur ’t flegs the tinued“ Weel, Peter. I’m maist seer the minaister ’ll be ill pleas’t,” con- I’m“ seerAn’ fatthey raiks gat ? twaIt ’llas be gweed lang erehens ye beas madeever swally’t fat aff o’ black him! a’dist the fae upsettin’ this toon trash at Aul’ i’ the Yeel; pairis’ but at theI b’lieve, Manse though i’ the coorsethey hed o’ the “winter, But it wewudna never dee bruik to breidoffen’ wi’the them.” minaister, ye ken—gin fowk“ Peterwar in Birse, tribble fat orare onything”— ye raelly thinkin’ aboot ? Fat has that tomay dee be wi’ a thegweed edication aneuch o’ man fowk’s in’s bairns ain place,? Maister an’ he Sleekaboot war latt’n it!aleen But b’ ’s thenain’t peer ocht man’s to ken siclike better. led, Leddies ’t aw raelly !—they believe wud need it’s theGospel.” trowth that Gushetneuk says that he does not preach the preachin’’s“ Keep me, a hantle ’oman, better I won’er nor weat yepracteese.” speakin’ that gate. His they“ sayOu, that;I daursay but he’s some a fowk’srael wor’dly-min’et but speakin’ person.” the trowth fan weel-leern’t.”“ Hoot, I’m seer ye ken he’s a weel-meanin’ man, an’ a fat the“ Aweel, affcasts gin dee he !—hm!get’s nain So cronies ye ’ll jist a’ richt,gae doon he winna wi’ me care the kinnicht aboot to the Benjie; skweel an’ at Smiddyward.there’s to be aWe preachin’ can see i’ Sandy the skweel Peter- i’ he’sthe evenin’, weel worth by ane the Macrory bearin’, an’fae wethe ’se wast jist kwintra. bide an’ getThey a word say fae ’im.”It was in vain for Peter to remonstrate. Mrs. Birse had Tawse,found cause and ofshe offence was resolved in both Mr.to open Sleekaboot a campaign and Jonathan against 74 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. both. Jonathan would be punished by the conclusive with- ofdrawal his rivalof her ; andsons shefrom knew his school, that by and their sending going them to hear to that an initinerant a high preacherdegree, which Mr. Sleekabootwould be likely would to begive at opportunity once incensed for atin leasttending reminding his flock. him, as she knew how, of his shortcomings addressIt was that on thethe eveninggoodwife appointed of Clinkstyle for the ledsecond her sermonreluctant or spousePeterkin down was toeasily Smiddyward. despatched, TheirSandy, business who honestly with Sandy con- thefessed best that he hiscould classics with Benjie;were a littleand rusted,they were undertaking then free toto at-do tend“ Ou,the meeting.ay, it’s a prayer meetin’ the nicht,” said Sandy Peter- gaenkin, when awa’ Mrs.to pit Birse up thehad lichts—they’llannounced her be intention.gedderin eenoo.“ I’m Ye’ll jist sit still at the fireside here. I winna be a minute in bein’Sandy back.” groped in his aumry till he got hold of two penny stuckcandles, the one lower of whichend of hethe put other in ainto tin acandlestick, turnip suitably while exca- he vated.away out, He endeavouring lighted one toof them,keep theand wind when from he hadit until sidled he appealshould toreach his wife.the school, Peter Birse made a last despairing “u Keep’s, ’oman, did ye hear that?” “ SandyHear fat?” says it’s a prayer meetin’, an’ nae a preachin’.” “Ye“ Weel, seerly an’ winnafat for gangno?” till’t than?” “ ThereHoot, ’ll’oman, naebody it’s tak’ower a bitesairious o’’s forthough jokin’. we dee.”It’s as ill’s the vera missionars. There wus never the like heard o’ in this“This pairis’.” pairis’! humph! This pairis’ is some mark or than“ Fatno.” will the minaister say, an’ my ain gweed-breeder ane o’ hisPeter’s el’ers ?remonstrances ” were cut short by the return of geddePt.”Sandy Peterkin, So at who his announcedgoodwife’s thatbeck they and were bidding, now “and feckly in whichthe circumstances, he had accurately as to described,public facts, Clinkstyle and general had to feeling, do his THE SMIDDYWARD PRAYER MEETING. 73 conscience the direct violence involved in attending a prayer meeting.When they entered, the audience was found to consist mainlybe seen ofby women the dim and candle young light, people, there though, were six as or fareight as grown- might up menMr. Macrorypresent. conducted the opening services, and then applicationsread and expounded ; and leaving a chapter, it to be making clearly sundry understood very thatpointed the fromcold moralitySabbath whichto Sabbath, was droned was of intono avail the earsto save of theeither people the directteacher onslaught, or the taught both from in word everlasting and look, perdition. in which Thethe speaker sort of comfortable;indulged, made and, Peter judging Birse feel by a appearances,good way short others of perfectly of his neighboursMacrory’s energy,could have without dispensed complaining. with some As small for Mrs.part ofBirse, Mr. careshe at to once sidle adopted up far enough an air ofto edifyingbe full in demureness sight of Johnny ; and tookand servants,Mrs. Gibb, Jinse who Deans were andseated Willie near M‘Aul, by the with preacher, “ the lassie,” their occupyingfinished his theexposition; seat next he behind gave out them. a psalm Mr. to Macrorybe sung, andhad then,deliberate when tone the announcedsinging was that concluded, “ Our brother, in a very Mr. audible M'Aul, andwill engagea considerable in prayer.” part ofThere the audience was a sort at thisof electric intimation, start as among much theyas to hadsay, known“ The souterthe ancient engage adage in prayer!” primarily And, applying no doubt, to men if ofsame his theycalling, felt they the wouldsentiment have therein mentally expressed. repeated it.It hadAll be-the foretimefamily worship been bruiteddaily, and abroad two orthat three Roderick customers M‘Aul who kept had up at commence,sundry times had accidentally gone through stumbled sensations in when which he they was wereabout shy to ofin attemptingthe devotions. to describe,But that on Roderick being asked M‘Aul by Roderickshould stand to join up beforeM'Aul, awho public was justaudience, a souter, and and offer with upnot prayer—Rodericka shred of clerical characterscope of the about most him—the fervid imagination thing was among so utterly the generalbeyond body the ofthe the audience parishioners at the ofmeeting, Pyketillim, besides that Peter not only Birse, did feel several in some of doubt whether they stood with their heads or their heels 76 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. throughuppermost, the but parish the news next ofday. what The had occurreddeed was spread declared rapidly by “several blashpheemous.” to be “ daurin,” and by quite as great a number to be think,Nevertheless, fail in having the itsexample effects. set Ifby the the simple sou ter and did fervent, not, I feelingsalbeit slightly within ungrammatical,him had the effectutterance of dumfoundering of the devotional and werescandalising impressed some, in a theremore wholesomewere others way; of hisand audience among these that j inwas his Johnny breast Gibb, that whoRoderick went homeM'Aul with was the a honestbetter convictionman than aforehimself. men “aifter For,” a said fashion Johnny, that I“he’s hae neverready mintit to confess to dee Christ yet.” CHAPTER XIII. THE DISTRIBUTION MEETING—ECCLESIASTICAL OPINIONS. #F course, Mr. Sleekaboot was speedily made acquainted Smiddyward;with the but operations he took it ofall thevery Rev.coolly. Alister There Macrory had been at wouldranting no fanatics doubt inbe sothe to world the end long of beforetime, said now, the and Rev. there Mr. Sleekaboot.At the quarterly “distribution,” when all the bawbees begathered fully reckonedby the “ brod and ” apportioned,for the by-gone the three elders months met were at the to pients—quiet,Manse; and each and notgot hisparticularly share to uncomfortablepay over to the oldvarious “bodies reci- ” theof both clamorous, sexes; real thriftless, old residenters, and unsatisfied not your sort. modern And paupers this part of andof their even duty more the than Session creditable discharged humanity. with creditable Have I assiduity,not seen time,Mains carrying of Yawal, home who his lived portion farthest of thefrom offering, the kirk, all timetoo bulkyafter tospotted go into “ pocket-napkin,” any pouch he had,and danglingcarefully inenclosed his hand in withhis blue-solid nightweight? or foul,And tohe seewould Saun’ers thereafter Tapp, go and his Lizzyround, Glegg, be it andfair hertheir due ancient share contemporaries,of the offering bawbees. and all to give to each his or the But,distribution. meanwhile, Sometimes I am not whenconcerned the elders with metthe todetails arrange of forof theit at res the gestce Manse—though, to be minuted I daresay,by Jonathan this formedTawse—the no part se- wasderunt the would case beat woundthe distribution up by a quiet meeting glass that of toddy.occurred Such just Andtwo thenights elders after were Mr. all present,Macrory’s with meeting the exception at Smiddyward. of Clink- thestyle’s prayer sister’s meeting husband, came Braeside. up. Of course the subject of 78 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. “ An’ fa div ye think sud ’a been there bearin’ this ranter but “Clinkstyle Poor man, an”s poor wife?” man,” saidanswered Mains Mr. of Yawal.Sleekaboot, with a hissmile. own “Iwill fancy in the he matter.” had hardly been left to the freedom of taking“Deed a heavy I can pinch believe of snuff.yer richt “ Thatthere, wife sir,” o’ said his Mr.is a Tawse,perfect Xantippe.”“ Oh—I presume she heckled you when she withdrew her precious“ For sonthat from maitter the school.”I can usually gi’e as gweed as I get,” an’said for Mr. the Tawse. loon, I “never But she’s ruggit a rude,the lugsvulgar o’ ahizzie, more natheless complete - dunce.”“ Did you venture to tell that in the audience of the ma- theternal query ears, being Jonathan shared ?” inasked by onlythe theminister, dominie the andjocularity himself, of asin suchthe rest refined of the English. company failed to catch its flavour, couched was“ sayin’, Deed, Mains, I believe aboot I fell this little fanatic, short o’’t.Macrory, But whatsettin’ was the that souter ye to gi’e“ Oh, a prayerit was atfat the they meetin’ ca’ a in prayer Sawney meetin’; Peterkin’s an’ hovelaifter ?”he engaigehed roar’t noo on ;’ fanfor upa file startit ’imsel’, the hesouter cries an’ oot gya ‘ Some them brodera screed ’ll abooto”t by it, ordinar’. aw’m thinkin’.” Severals o’ them hed been sair pitt’n oot elder,“An’ who little was won’er,”a fat, red-nosed quoth Teuchitsmyre, man, with a very the thickother neck. new “ Ta’en“ An’ a heardfup to you them who wud all ’a were saiPt present them richt.”?” asked Mr. Sleek- aboot.“ Weel, aw’m thinkin’ Gushetneuk an”s wife, forbye, ’s I thewas aul’savin’, wives the aboot fowk the o’ Clinkstyle.Ward, an’ maybeThe laveafyou wud young be fowk.”feckly “ Eh—awDid John didna Gibb hear take thatany partsaid ?”; but he’s been ane o’ the heid“A deesters fractious, aboot heidstrong feshin this creatur,” Macrory said to theJonathan pairt.” Tawse. “ But there’s some brains in ’im tee; that was aye my opinion.”“ He’s too anxious to make himself and his opinions pro- minent,”“ It was answered a great Mr. mistak’ Sleekaboot. in you, Mr. Sleekaboot—savin' THE DISTRIBUTION MEETING. 79 thean’ thepresence souter o’oot Mains o’ the an’el’ership.” Teuchitsmyre—to keep Gushets “ How,Ou ay, how—men but an’ they who hed act been thus made ?” pillars i’ the kirk, like depen’the lave ye o’’s, upon’t,” ye wud said hae the heard dominie. less o’ ony sic divisive coorses, “ MyI don’t dear know; sir, fan we did ”— ye ever hear o’ an el’er in the parish thiso’ Pyketillim souter does, gaen it abootseems a ? kwintraAn’, tak’ side ye cantin’ my word an’ for’t,prayin’, ye as’ll hae “Gushetneuk Well, but Mr. followin”s Tawse,” example said the neist.” minister, evidently dis- asposed you to know, get very we seriousmust take on thegood point, care “ asfor I thewas order saying, of andthe ourChurch. Zion thanThere the can presence be nothing of unbridled more perilous spirits toin theoffice peace within of parish,her bosom. I being And responsible I, in the positionalike to ofthe spiritual Presbytery head and of thisthe patronthe revolutionary Sir Simon opinionsFrissal, Iheld would by neverthose men.”for a moment brook Mains,“Ye’re with vera great richt, emphasis. Maister He Sleekaboot—vera was getting hot richt,”and red said in tolerablythe face; wideand Iinduction, think had when, by this suddenly time based changing his opinion the theme, on a fusky.”and emptying his glass, he added, “Nyod, that’s capital raelTeuchitsmyre Glendronach, noddedseerly.” approvingly, and said, “It’s the was“Weel, half jokin’, weel, ye as ken. ye please,But ye sir,” canna replied won’er Mr. though Tawse. a sair-“I mithadung dominiebeen worth sud while,try to save’sas a stroke nain o’credit policy, by tillsayin’ hae that latt’n it Clinkstyle“ He would on to have the el’ership.”been in nowise a more efficient member of session“Neen, than neen—jist his excellent sax i’ relative,the ane Braeside.”an’ half-a-dizzen i’ the ambitiousither. Baith wife—D’ye hairmless seebreets. my drift?But ye Hooever,see Braeside to passhisna faean o’that these point, fanatics.” I think ye raelly ocht in some way, to tak’ an order “ OfNa, Gibb na; yeand had M‘Aul better ?” lat ill aleen there. But it mithna bethem difficult meet toin ’’frichr^-' “eterkin fae gi’ein’ that bit hole to lat 8o JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. “Well; it’ll die out. There has been in all ages of the especiallyChristian Church,among asthe I haveunlearned, said, anto everlapse recurring into fanaticism; tendency, thoughChurch thehave admirable effectually organisation repressed andserious discipline outbreaks of our at own all times.”“ An’ may it be for ever sae,” said Jonathan Tawse. “ But fatpairty are i’ye the to kirk?mak’ o’ Ye’lla’ this hae uncanny some steerdifficulty o’ the cceterisparibus, Non-intrusion in disciplinin’“Ay, Mr. Tawse,”the major said pairt the o’ minister,the Kirk withitsel’.” a half chuckle, is“ but such it’s a notthing a caseas the of azteris law of paribus, the land, my and good the friend. civil power.There partyWith inthat the at Church. our back, Keep we yourselfneed never easy.” fear the hot-headed the “luik Ou, o’ it these winna bits brak’ o’ collisionsmy rest, sir. atween But theI dinna spiritual muckle poo’er like asLethendy; they ca’t, an’ an’ syne, the nearercivil: han’siclike hame, as inat Marnoch;the by-gone whaur, case ino’ tlementthe first bycase, a Presbytery;the Coort o’ an’Session in the steps neist in its to aid interdict is requir’t a sat- to forcecoorse, an I unacceptableneedna speak presenteeo’ the starshie on a sinsynecongregation. still nearer An’, oor of ain “Well,door, at ICulsalmond, have you there, wi’ the Jonathan. goodman General o’ Teetaboutie.” arguments arebrethren never inso Strathbogieconvincing ashad special the firmnessfacts. I’m to gladendeavour that theto stancevindicate in mythe justown rightscase. ofWhen presentees. I had theHere honour you ofhave receiving an in- meta presentation a very cold from reception, Sir Simon let me to tellthe you, Parish from of the Pyketillim, people. I —withdon’t believe whom, that, though but forI say the it personalmyself, Ipresence stood high of Sir from Simon the thefirst—half-a-dozen call then. Now, people I’m sure,in the there’s parish not wouldhalf-a-dozen have signed in the whole“ I’m parish seer who o’ that, would sir,” not said sign Mains it.” of Yawal; and Teuchits- myre’s whole body gave a confirmatory “ hitch.” delusive,”“ So much added for Mr.the popularSleekaboot, voice—nothing with an air couldof something be more likeI triumph.do not know that the Rev. Jonathan Tawse would have indisputed his own this case last had sentiment not been at so any fortunate rate; but as inasmuchMr. Sleekaboot as he THE DISTRIBUTION MEETING. 8l popularityin finding aincidental backer to toenable him himas a topreacher, get over therethe initial was un-not ministerexactly identityon this ofparticular feeling point.between Therefore him and Jonathanhis respected took , conversationsnuff afresh, refilledto topics his more tumbler, congenial and incontinentlyto Mains and turned Teuchits- the i myre, who, being unable to follow the high argument that the ingtwo withdivines as hadmuch got of into, an elderlikehad contented and interested themselves air by as listen- they -1 could manage to assume. subjectsThe weather,of common and interest,the markets and onfor which grain theand whole live stock,party \i longam,could speak during with the practicallatter part intelligence, of the evening. were discussed ad I the Theecclesiastical case put bypart Mr. of Sleekaboot, the conversation and which to ahad close, brought had |1 been,Conflict, all histhrough standing the illustrationearly part ofat theleast utter of fallaciousnessthe Ten Years’ of histhe brethren,Non-intrusion as well principle. as to outsiders, He had and quoted had iteven repeatedly ventured to hadto direct signified the attentionhis approval, of Sir and Simon added, Frissal “ Yes, to yes,it. yourSir Simon style gratified.was very poor, indeed,” whereat Mr. Sleekaboot was much andNow, not many it so weekshappened after in the course “distribution,” of this very that spring Johnny of 1842,Gibb wasand joggingwhom should home onhe aovertake market nightbut the on Rev.his trusty Andrew grey Sleek-pony, . aboot,principle jogging of action, home as too,regarded from differencesthe Presbytery. between Johnny’s himself , andsequently, others, when was always he and to “Mr. dunt Sleekaboot it oot ” as he met, went Johnny along. hailedCon- vheoot” minister in their as lives. freely And and Mr.frankly Sleekaboot, as if they who had had never a lingering “ cas’en B suspicionwarmed towards that it mighthis parishioner, be otherwise, of whom felt once he, moreunder somewhat the mild evenimpulse yet. of Johnnythe moment, was keen almost on thoughtecclesiastical there matters,might be at hope any lessenedrate, and byperhaps his share his disposition in a friendly toward gill withdebate a hadneighbour not been at theabout stablePs, what thebefore Presbytery he took outhad hisbeen “ shalt.” doing didHis notquestions elicit draggedmuch information, into a discussion but Mr. onSleekaboot the general could Church not help question, being 82 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. when it became more and more evident to him that Johnny intrusionist.Gibb tvas a verySo distinct he determined and confirmed for once specimen to floor of theJohnny. Non- andThey they had and just their got “to shalts the point ” paused where in theirthe gloamin roads separated,light. law “against I tell you a presentee it’s the greatest involves delusion the greatest in the fallacy world. as wellA veto as theirrefutable greatest illustration, injustice;” “ andWhen then I wasMr. settledSleekaboot at Pyketillim began the I rishionersdon’t believe to havethat signedI would the have call”— got almost any of the pa- “An’But here ye kentJohnny it weel,broke Sir; in abruptly— feint a vera mony wud ye get yet!”Mr. Sleekaboot was grievously taken aback. In place of somethingfinishing the about statement the “ insolence of his favourite of ignorant, illustration, uneducated he saidper- insons,” the rapiditywhereat withJohnny, which who he hadmanaged at least to equalledget up his his temper, pastor retortedAnd inso wordsthey perhapsparted; moreMr. Sleekaboot vehement thanriding respectful. off toward inthe the Manse, direction while of Johnny Gushetneuk. turned the head of the grey “ shall” CHAPTEE XIY. TAM MEERISON’S PRIVATE AFFAIRS. ©IXneuk, months Tam after Meerison the date had of once his moreremoval to decidefrom Gushet- on the questionseeking a ofnew renewing one. His his experiencesengagement at with Clinkstyle his master, had notor beenhis master altogether or mistress of the mostor his pleasant fellow-servants, sort, whether and theas regardsnatural conclusionstay longer wouldthere. haveBut beenconclusions that Tam in such certainly cases wouldare some- not timesat. A affected day or bytwo circumstances before the feeing which market it is not day so iteasy had to leaked guess outsified that the Tam feeling was of “hidin’,” contempt and that the hisfact fellow-servantsconsiderably inten- had beenThey inhad the hoped habit to of leave occasionally Clinkstyle exhibiting with “ atowards clean toonhim. ” again,Peter Birseand theymanifested were angry his satisfaction at being disappointed.by talking more While than usualplough, to the Tam, lads or lost stalking no opportunity along for of a throwingbit with himout aat taunt the interludesat his craven when resolution Mrs. Birse ; or hadreminding chosen tohim express of those her by-gone private pleasant;opinion of but him I don’tand his.know Doubtlessthat they weighedthese taunts most onwere Tam’s not mindof Tam’s at that affections, particular combined juncture. with In thepoint adverse of fact, influences the state thatin a seemedstate of to no be little arraying anxiety. themselves Tam againstnow bitterly him, keptregretted him hadthat madepig-headed him, without sense ofthe self-importance shadow of a valid on hisreason, part, decline which Johnnyterm ; and Gibb’s thus first had overture earned tofor re-engage him a bad him situation at the previousin place moreof a good of Tam’s one—precisely class follow, the to course reach thatexactly I have the seensame many end. Deans.But this wasWhether not all.Jinse Tamhad hithertowas seriously reciprocated in love his with passion Jinse 84 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. in any true sense, I would be loth to venture an opinion. It certainwas certain that sheTam received was not Tam the onlyas a person suitor; so but favoured. it was equally Tam knew this. Nay more, while he had over and over again chantress,met with what he had he reckonedan agonising “ slichts suspicion ” at the that hands Johnny of hisGibb’s en- newscribed man, at firsthis sightown successor,as a “ stoot and gudge whom an’ aJohnny gatefarrin,” had wasde- outalso of“slickin’ the frying-pan up” to Jinse.into the Ah fire ! ! poorTam Tam, had thou writhed wert under truly andfrom soughtthe youth to resentWillie the M‘Aul slight on scorchingsthe subject heof hadhis courtship;to endure thennext, heleft had Gushetneuk, assumed the a highhalf-repentant horse with man,Johnny allowing Gibb, andhis Whereas,successor hadto come he remained in and courtthere hisstill, sweetheart he would athave leisure. had opportunitieshave had. It for was baulking like abandoning competitors a strongly which none defensive other couldposi- tionSo in thoughtface of theTam enemy. Meerison, and his meditations were not contrivedsweet. When to get the early next information term approached, about Johnny Tam accordingly Gibb’s ar- neukrangements. was “hidin’.” Unhappily “Jist for likehim, ’im;his successorinhaudin atscoonrel,” Gushet- “thought bocht witTam. ” on Howeverthe subject; that and might he feltbe, Tamthat, ifhad he gotstood a littleat a certainasmuch disadvantageas the gudge, with being Johnny at Gushetneuk, Gibb’s “stoot had gudge,” so much in- ifreadier he left access Clinkstyle, to Jinse and than ran he the had, risk being of having at Clinkstyle; to transport then wouldhimself be several yet farther miles damagedfarther off, in hisproportion position to and the increasedprospects distance.Therefore it was that Tam Meerison made up his mind to bearAnother the ills hesix had,months and tohad remain passed, at Clinkstyle.and left his courtship footmuch in in it,the by same talking state disrespectfully ; but by that timeof Master Tam had Benjamin put his awareBirse. ofIt it, was Miss in Birse the kitchen,was behind and, the though “ inner Tam door,” was where not wewas haveto the heard effect of that her “being Benjie before. was an Whatorpiet, Tam peeakin, had littlesaid sinner;”flunkey, norand tothat gae he to was the “fitter college;” to be sentiments a dog-dirder, which— or a TAM MEERISON’S PRIVATE AFFAIRS. 85 although they seemed to meet with a rather hearty response fromBenjie’s the mother,audience were immediately productive before of a him—whenstorm, that retailedthereafter to fear,burst had with been no littledesperate fury aboutat any Tam’srate, and ears. he nowTam’s retorted mood, on I proodMrs. Birseto see by ’er somewhatloon wi’ a bluntlypair o’ yallatelling breeks her she an’ “mitha strippet be man,waistcoat wi’ aon; wife it wudthat bewudna ten faullat better’im ca’ nor ’s niz be ahis muckle ain.” good-Mrs. leftBirse Clinkstyle, took this ashalf personal. reckless, Andas itwhen seemed, the termof his came, fate; Tam for hesurely care Jinse’s for! heart was too hard to win, and what else need miles,Tam and Meerison for the hadnext gone twelve off tomonths a distance the regionof over of a Pyke-dozen andtillim still saw less nothing, from, him. and IFor really Tam believe was not heard a man very of littlethe pen. of, school,He had, but indeed, the accomplishment learnt to write awas sort of of wondrous decent small little textuse toat gencies,him. He and never not wrotemore thanletters, three except or four on of very these pressing had occurred emer- dismayedsince he becamehim, it wasa man. the composition—“It was not the foo mere to begin writing ”—and that chiefthe “ backin’.”exercise in Thesepenmanship were the had grand been theobstacles; occasional and copying Tam’s horseof some harness, approved in the receipt way of for friendly the composition interchange of with blacking a cronie. for principalAt the man-servant. Martinmas ofThe 1841, gudge, Johnny whose Gibb ambition changed it washis to rise,go to was school leaving for a on quarter a friendly with understanding,Sandy Peterkin, with to rub a view the learnrust off the his business literary of and a mole-catcherarithmetical whenacquirements, spring came, and thenand Johnnynineteen, promoted to his place. Willie M‘Aul,The gudge now grownhad been a stout at ladthe offeeing over market,in high fromspirits, which with hesweeties came homein his at pockets, a pretty notlate merelyhour, and for Jinse, but for Mrs. Gibb as well, when fit opportunity should occur“An’ for fat’spresenting the news them. o’ the market, min?” asked Jinse of tothe eat gudge, his supper. who had seated himself at the top of the “ deece ” “ TheLittle waages o’’t; slack doon feein’; ?” an’ plenty o’ drunk fowk.” 86 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. ten;“ Doon!an’ women Ay forare they.oot-wark Gweed hardly men winnin feein’ abeenat seyven-pun- a poun’ note.“ It’sAn’ braw dizzens wardles never wi’got them’t an offer.” disna need to fee,” said Jinse,“ Weel, with aJinse, sly reference fat encouragement to the gudge’s is there hopeful to the prospects. like o’ me bestto bide han’ on ’t an’ ever loss gaed my timeatween at fairmthe pleuch wark ?stilts, Ye butmay yebe canthe never“ Div get yean meanondependent, a place o’or yer sattlet nain wye ?” o’ deein.” craftie.“ Weel, But gin I’ll a appelbody tocud yersel’, hae theJinse—Fat chance o’comes gettin’ o’ maista bit ilka fairm servan’ ’t gets a wife ?”■—(and the gudge looked gaesweetly awa’ on an’ Jinse) bide aboot—“they’re the Broch, forc’t orto sometak’ to gate the siclike.” dargin, an’ turning“But the hinna conversation. ye nae mair news?” said jinse, desirous of chapter;“In fack, oonless there’s ye naewin chance in to butsome slave ither on wyeto the o’ en’deein o’ thein occupiedtime,” continued a favourable the placegudge, in whosehis thoughts own schemeat the time. naturally “ Hoot,Weel, min,fat news gi’e’s wud the ye news like o’?” the market,” said Jinse. “ Weel,Fa’s bidin I didna or flittin’ hear ?”particular. Ye see I was oot o’ the throng“Gweeshtens, a gey file arreengin ye’ve seerly some been things sair o’ myta’en nain.” up. Didna ye traffike“ Ou weel, neen ye wi’ see, common fan a bodyfowk thehas daysome ?” buzness o’ their onnain in togeneral.” atten’ till they ’re nae sae sair ta’en up wi’ fat’s gaen “ Weel,Sawna the ye onlynae bargainsbargain’t made aw cud ava say’t ?” aw saw was Mains o’ Yawal feein’ a third horseman. I was in ’o Kirkie’s tent gettin’toon wi’, a sharefan Mains o’ a gillcam’ wi’ in, a skirpitcheelie’t wi’ Idubs was toance the veraaboot neck the theyo’’s kwite. war jistI didnaaboot kenbargain’!, the chap, Mains naething luiks aboot owre ’im, an’ but refars fan to‘ an’ me. ye can‘ That’s speir anat himaul’ servan’aboot the o’ mine,’place.’ saysThey he hedto the threepit chap, onMains a lang socht time; the drink, but anan’ atcoorse length wus he cornin’bargain’t nearer’t wi’ ’im aforefor a onlycroon bargain’t oot o’ seyven I saw.” poun’ to ca’ ’s third pair; an’ that was the TAM MEERISON’S PRIVATE AFFAIRS. 87 “Did ye see ony o’ oor fowk—or hear onything aboot them“ I?” didna see neen o’ yer breeders.” Clinkstyle’s“ I wud likefowk richt bidin’, to ken aw ginreckon they ?” be asked flittin’ Jinse. or no. Neen o' vivacity.“That’s “ weelBidin’! min’et,” na, nae exclaimed lickly; thebut gudge,fa div withye think’s some cornin’“ Cornin’ there thereagain again?” ? Fa cud tell that—somebody hard up for“ Jist a place, guess. seerly ” ?” naething“ Ha! aboot—fowk’t’s fa cud guess that cheengin ? Like aneuchthe feck’t somebody’t they hae atI min’ilka term.“ Weel,” ” said the gudge deliberately, “ it’s jist Tam Meeri- son The?’ light of Johnny Gibb’s old iron lamp, with its one rushworse wick, in consequence was not brilliant of the atprotracted best; and sederunt it had beenin which getting the didgudge start had slightly, indulged. and Therefore,colour a littlethough at Ithe rather intimation think Jinse just madetruth toby say, the gudge,the gudge I don’t himself think was the a gudge very littleobserved agitated. it; and, “ see,“ Gae ye’ve ’wa’ keepit to yer me sittin’bed, than, wytein this ye minute,”till the vera said nethmost Jinse; shallAnd o’ thethe lamp’sgudge wentdry.” to his bed accordingly. CHAPTER XY. SANDY PETERKIN’S SCHOOL. *HESmiddyward occasion ofschool a “muckle was an eventscholar” of some coming importance. to the And, therefore, when the embryo mole-catcher presented himselfthirty odd on urchins a Monday under morning Sandy toPeterkin’s meet the charge, scrutiny there of wasthe a good deal of commotion and whispering. He wore a pair tops,of moleskin and were leggings, there suspendedwhich extended by a littleup to tag the of very the thighsame bonnetcloth to his the head side buttonwas seen of his to trousers. be “huddrythat When he took is, notice-off his ablyHe hadhuddry been for to such Andrew a civilised Langchafts’ place as shopthe inside at the of Kirktown, a school. aand pennyworth had there furnishedof “ lang sheethimself ” paper, with a unruled,“ sclate” and and two“ skallie,” quills furnishingsfor pens. These, for the with ensuing an old scholastic copy of campaign“ the Gray,” that were was the to fit him“ Weel,” for entering said the on new the scholar, practical laying study down of mole-catching. his equipments raithon the ; an’side aw of wudthe “ like maistePs to win ” asdesk, far “throu’ aw'm ’s jist aw gaun cud.” to be the “ OhCoontin, ay ; inye fackmean a ?”body canna weel hae owre muckle o’ it at ony rate.” Peterkin.“ Fat progress hae ye made in arithmetic ?” asked Sandy The gudge scratched his head for a little; and then, leaveswetting of his his thumb, “ Gray.” proceeded “ Fack Ito dinna turn jistover min’ the richt.dog-eared It’s half-a-dizzenMaister Tawse o’ year; an’ Isin’ daursay I was yourat the wye skweel. winna beThat the wassame’s wi’ his wi’ the coontin, mair nor ither things; so it winna maitter muckle.”“ Ye’ve been through the simple rules at ony rate,” sug- gested Sandy. SANDY PETERKINS SCHOOL. 89 here-aboot,”“ Hoot ay; and aw’m the seer aspirant aw was mole-catcher that. Nyod, pointed I think toit wasthe place“Compound on the book. Division?” said the “maister,” looking at the “Ay,”page. said the scholar, with a sort of chuckle; “but aw’m thenae beginnin’.”sayin’ ’t aw cud work it noo—aw wud better begin nearer “That“Weel—maybe wud de Reduction.”fine. It’s an ill-to-work rowle, an’ I awnever cud oon’ersteed win as far it throu’sricht wi’ wud Maister mak’ Tawse. oot to mizzourAw won’er aff ginan awcre“ That or twa ’ll depen’o’ grun, o’ or your cast ain up diligence,”the wecht o’said a haySandy soo Peter-?” kin,“ with Weel, a Ismile. ance was neepours wi’ a chap’t cud ’a deen that, jistas exact’s a mason’s ye like;tape line’tan’ he he not hed nae i’ theleems locker till’t, o”s nedderin, kist.” but swered“It’s the quite dominie. possible to dee that wi’a marked line,” an- fan “a It’sbody’s richt gyaun eesefu’ aboot the like,like o’they that,” wud said aye thebe gettin’gudge; ’t “adee an’ Tawsenoo an’ wud than, never and cudnalat’s try hardly naething foryet o’ the that wye. kin’, Noo, ’cep Maisterwe hed disnafirst gane dee wi’throu’ the likea great o’ huz’t heap hisna o’ mucklelang time rowles; at a skweel.” an’ that maister.“ An’ fat ither lessons wud you like to tak’ ?” asked the leernin“Ye to ken mak’ best; oot onlyaccoonts it was maybe.” for the coontin’t I cam’; an’ ““We Na, haena; aaw grammar winna fash class wi’ noo—wud ’t,” said the you gudge, try it with?” a de- thatcisive gremmar.” shake of the head. “ It’s nae for common fowk ava here’t“ Maybe ye cud geography get a skance than. o’ I’vethe aprincipal gweed chart countries on the upon wa’ vera“Weel, shortly.” but is’t o’ ony eese to the like o’ me, that geo- graphyIf there ? I wunnawas one lickly branch be gyaun more to than forrin another pairts.” on which man,Sandy he Peterkin loved to set descant, a high value, it was and geography. on which, Soas ahe travelled pressed itshour importance, at it once and a-week, a dubious it being consent understood was given that to the trying future an O 90 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. mole-catcher would not be subject to the “ catechislesson pupilon Saturdays. was not tooThen, well asup he in hadhis ageneral suspicion literature, that his Sandy new suggested“ Na ; awthe hardlypropriety think’t of his I ’lltaking fash awi’ reading that edder,” lesson. was the thereply. muckle “ I wasBible never class that afore deen aw leeftill at thethe skweel.”readin’, an’ I was i’ get “a Butlot o’ye usefu’ maybe information hinna read i’ themuckle Collection sinsyne lesson.” ! an’ ye wud ter,”“ saidBut thethe likemuckle o’ me’s scholar, nae needin’with a laugh, to read “ an’like it the wud minais- gar’s losssyne athe hantle vreetin—the o’ time faeday thewud coontin. be deen Anin a’oor han’-clap, at that, afore an’ a bodyHowever, cud get Sandy oot mair succeeded nor a question in persuading or twa.” him to take the “to Collection bid him stand ” lesson. up amongWhen a thedozen lesson urchins came, so hemuch did notsmaller like crowdedthan himself. in below The the muckle incommodious scholar sat desk. with hisHe sturdyfloundered legs throughclass-fellows his didturn not at alwaysreading conceal in a style their atmirth. which Buthis hejunior was tooPeterkin self-centered was indulgent, to be evenparticularly to the extentthin-skinned, of taking and care Sandy that the graceless young rapscallions should spell every hard word suchin the trials; muckle albeit scholar’s he improved hearing, the while time Sandy when sparedthe gudge’s him toturn correct came byspelling. a short homilyThen wouldon the ourimportance mature ofclass-fellow attention tionseize of his “ “the sclate,” Gray,” and from gravely which set occupation on to the it piecemeal was found solu- that writingnone of time, the whenordinary the dominiedevices wouldsat in hisdistract desk, him.knife inAnd hand, at withchief-loving a chevaux hands, de/rise surrounding of quill feathers, his nose held as in he idle diligently or mis- scholarmended, spread or new-made, himself pensto his for task, a score and ofgrimly writers, performed the muckle his writingschool was exercise. dismissed, He and would get the also benefit at times of Sandy stay Peterkin’safter the privateIn short, instructions there couldfor an be hour no ordoubt so. that the gudge would contemporaries;pass into the world and again thereafter accomplished he could hardlybeyond fail many of attain-of his thating somethingdistinction ofthe distinction attendant emoluments.in his destined walk, and with SANDY PETERKIN’S SCHOOL. 91 (he Ashad Johnny got boarded Gibb’s lateand servantlodged, movedfor the abouttime, Smiddywardwith Widow Will),occurred he tocould him notthat help in his reflecting own person on these he presented things ; anda very it woman.eligible matrimonialAnd why should bargain he notfor lookany well-disposedover occasionally young to andGushetneuk, Mrs. Gibb, to andkeep letup Jinse his friendlyDeans knowrelations how with expansive Johnny a placethat Jinse the worldstill needed was to a menlittle of contrivance enterprise. nowI ratherand then think to hearts.prevent undesirableAnd this was rencontres the real betweenexplanation certain which of theher gudge,sweet- whosittings, was ought a simple to have soul, got and to account still loved for theto indulgeperemptoriness in late withBut Jinsewhich condescended he had been toonce no orexplanations twice ordered on what to his seemed home. hercould capricious not help treatmentwhat might of emerge the lad. beyond And, theof course,range ofJinse her influence.So it happened that, on a certain evening when the gudge andhad gotwas himself talking comfortably away full “swing fixed inup a” onhalf-oracular the smiddy hearth,sort of instyle with to severala long otherstack lads,of plough his old irons rival, on Tam his Meerison,shoulder tocame be clanksharpened. ; then afterTam saluting first threw the smith, off his lifted burden it into with the aglowing heavy lightmer heof hadthe firelaid athold the of,edge proceeded of the hearth, to knock and, the with piled a ham-coul- glancedters and acrosssocks theout hearth,of connection and without with eachaddressing other. anyHe bodynext verybirslin directly, yer shins exclaimed—“’Wa’ lang aneuch there.” oot o’The that; gudge’s ye’ve lessons been probablyof the evening. required At his any attention rate he about soon thatfound particular that his period time wouldTam took not thepermit vacated further place loitering on the in hearth, the smiddy and lighted just then. his pipeso when with the every smith, appearance who was of notsatisfaction. unaware apparentlyHe had just of done the relationsflame of jealousy,between bythe waggishly two, wickedly informing endeavoured Tam of tothe blow hopeful the prospects“ Tak molesof his rival.!” quoth Tam, whose manner had evidently progressedas seen ca’ ofstinkin’ late infish the wi’ direction a horse worthof brusqueness. auchteenpence.” “ I wud 92 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. fanever“ Hoot, his min,apprenticeship’s but he’s gyaun throu’,” to get said Jinse the Deans smith. for’s wife “ It’s“Hah, been hah,to help ha-a-a,” ’im wi’ roared that that Tam, he heeldwith ain loudwi’ Johnny laugh. Gibb“ I saewudna lang.” won’er,” said the smith. “ But she’s a muckle thochtthe place, o’ ’oman,aifter theyJinse. Ve ganeThey hynespeak awa’, o’ lads jist cornin’for her back sake— to that’s“Fat! a greater That ferlie, they’re seerly. great Fat geese. wud yeNa, say na, to smith, that ?” ‘The backhah, ha!”o’ ane’s the face o’ twa;’ that’s the style for me. Hah, to the“ An’ quarter ye hinna ? ” been at Gushetneuk than, sin’ ye cam’ back sock“ aNane grippie o’ yer o’ jaw,yird. min.Clinkies Min’ likesyer wark his stibbles there, an’ weel gi’e riven that upmakin’ ; an’ bonny the set’t wark he till hed ’im hed i’ the wi’ back-faulds.” ’im afore the term’s been manag’t“ Ou, to I keepthocht them young richt—nae Peter an’to speakhim atween o’ yer aul’them freen wud the a’ mistress.”“I wuss ye hed jist seen the place than. Nae the vera forpattle wunt shafts o’ cleanin’.but wus broken,I b’lieve an’ the the wife harness was atgrey them an’ abootgreen that“ an’Ye gotwudna jist adee richt the nizzin like o’ for that, ance Tam i’ the ?” wye o’ ill jaw.” to see“ Sang, the wye’t she ’ll they better hed nae been try’t guidin’ though. the Butbeasts. a body’s Yon’s mad a jistsnippit clean horsie’t spoil’t. was He i’ wasthe secontsome skittish pair—yon at onyyoung rate, beastie— an’ the spoil’tchap hed i’ the laid mou’ upon completely; ’im an’ twistet an’ ’imI’m wi’ seer the he ryne hed till latt’n he’s ’im a’ lang’soot amon’ ye wud ’s ban’s turn i’ yerthe fit.theets, Clinkies for ye cudnagart me lippen tak’ ’imtill an’’im pitas ’imI can on tell to theye it’smuckle nae broongryte jobhorse, haein’ to try to an’dee steady wi’ ither ’im. fowk’s But botch’t“ Deed wark.” no, Tam; but I’ve nae doot ye ’ll dee yer best wi’ ’t. I’ the meanwhile ye mith gi’e me a chap to tak’ doon the Tampoint put o’ the his coulterpipe in ahis bit.” waistcoat pocket, and started to the fore-hammer with the greatest promptitude. CHAPTER XVI. A START IN LIFE. yS'V N daya certain term afternoon,of 1842, Johnny about aGibb, week whobefore had the been Whitsun- busy on,afield, and came went toddlinginto the home“ mid whenhouse,” the to afternoon look out sundrywas wearing blue- ingchecked of that cotton valued bags root. with He turnip was hotseed, and for tired, he meditated and his spouse sow- inviteddrink of him ale ?to rest for a little on the deece. Would he take a Lat’s“ Ay see will the aw,caup ’oman,” there.” said Johnny, “an’ ye hae’t at han’. reamingMrs. liquorGibb obeyed with evident the command, satisfaction. and Johnny drank of the never“ Rest devall’t ye a the minit haill than, day,” an’ said drink Mrs. oot Gibb; the drap and ; sayingfor ye’ve so, enteringshe “lean’t on aher confab doon,” with with her somehusband. intention apparently of day“Are ?” asked ye thinkin’ she, with o’gyaun that kind doon of to air the which market seems on Wednes- directly claimed—to provoke an interrogatory answer; and Johnny at once ex- is bidin“ No : ; I’vefoo arenae yeerran’.” speerin that ? Ye ken’t baith the boys Gibb,“Ye still never in the think key thato’ speirinsuggested aboot the Jinse,”necessity replied for an Mrs. ex- planatory“Jinse note.Deans !” exclaimed Johnny. “Fat’s the eese o’ speirinseerly ’a at tell’t her ?ye An’lang she ere binna noo.” pleas’t wi’ ’er waages, she wud Jinse’s“ I doot needin’ it’s awa’.”nae the waages a’thegither, peer ’oman. But someMrs. further Gibb explanationhad evidently about made this up newher mindmovement, now to when, give Jinseas Fate (who would had havebeen it,unaware the colloquy of her wasmaster’s broken presence in upon there) by 94 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. herself at the moment stumbling into the kitchen, from which she “had Fat been haiver’s temporarily this't ye Veabsent. ta’en i’ yer heid noo ?” demanded Johnny,speak o’ leavin’addressing yer placeJinse. ; and“Are it only ye angyaun ouk cleanfae the gyte term to tee “? HameFaur towud my ye mither’s,” gae till ?”answered Jinse, exhibiting some- whatJinse’s of discomposure mother lived at Johnny’snot far off vehemence. Benachie, in a very un- pretentious“An’ fat residence. on the face o’ the creation wud ye dee gyaun hame ?—Yer mither’s but a peer ’oman; she has little need o’ youJinse, wi”er,” who saidwas making,Johnny. on the whole, an uneasy defence, averred“But that is sheher motherwuntin “you wasna hame?” vera wasstoot.” Johnny’s demand. “ TellHere me Jinsethat.” gave symptoms of breaking into tears, and ramshMrs. Gibb wi’ fowk.” interposed with a “ Hoot, man ! ye ’re aye sae marched“ Weel, toward weel,” the quoth door Johnny, ; “ye’re as a’ he alike. seized Fahis wud bonnet ken and fat ye wudI don’t be at!”know that Johnny Gibb meant to include his wife. The reference was rather to the class to which Jinse belonged, women-kindthough, no doubt,in general he went are awayabsurdly with impracticable the conviction in theirthat ways.provide Buta new be servant that as lass. it may, Johnny found that he had to withIn many private sighs audience and tears, Jinse that Deans Tam Meerisonrevealed tohad Mrs. “promis’t Gibb, to mairry her.” What more I don’t know; but the worthy goodwife,nature to do,after told scolding her to “Jinse wash asher severely face, an’ as nae it mairwas o’in thather naethingsnifterin. mairAn’ gaeaboot awa’ it tilland theget readyterm day’sthe sowens. by. NaeI ’se doot say ye ’llPoor be i’Jinse, yer tribbles the prospect seen aneuchof marriage wuntin did that.” not seem a cheer- thereful one had to beenher, notwithstandingfor her hand. Ofthe her number reputed of sweetheartscandidates affectedTam Meerison to care thewas least; the oneand for since whom the timeshe hadTam at had any begun rate rousedseriously by to the court undisguised her, his preferencejealousy had given been to againothers andhis rivals.again A START IN LIFE. 95 wrongAnd yet to Tam say thatMeerison Tam washad tonot have a certain her to feeling wife. ofIt wouldsatisfac- be latterlytion in theof a thought more seeming-reckless of this; for, notwithstanding style, Tam had his been adoption from ansatisfaction early date was severely presumably smitten considerable,by Jinse’s charms. else heIndeed had pro- his bablythere notwere formed counter-balancing the laudable resolutionconsiderations. to marry. The But idea then of kindmarriage of staggering as an actual suddenness, event had which been forcedcaused uponthe approach him with ofa responsibility.the reality itself Tam to awaken began ato rather see thatuncomfortable it would be feeling trouble- of pensablesome to go technicalities. about, and he Thenhad but there a dim was notion the question of the indis- of a meritedhouse and commiseration. home for his wife;There and was here no houseTam’s whatever case no doubtavail- locality,able within in thea circuit plenitude of several of their miles; wisdom, for and the foreseeinglairds in the incidenceshould be ofno a possibilitypoor law, had,of paupers as a rule, seeing determined the light that on theretheir properties.their estates. They What would could rather poor knock Tam down do? everyJinse cottage said she on wouldthree milesgo to off; her andmother’s. with herWhere mother Jinse’s Jinse mother could livedonly wasget roomwhat forshare two she beds might in its darkof a andhovel diminutive that very “but” barely and afforded “ben.” farmAnd thereservice, also claimed an unmarried to have thesister only and home two theybrothers, possessed. all in andIt was began not togreatly consider to bemarrying wondered really at aif stiff Tam business. felt perplexed, It was underto Clinkstyle’s this feeling offer of perplexityof a renewed that engagement,he succumbed and once in againorder toagreed get one to “ foot bide” at withleast Peter planted Birse down for anotherwithout sixmore months. trouble, hourTam on thehad nightventured of which across we tohave Gushetneuk been speaking, at a suitable to talk her.over with his affianced what most nearly concerned him and disturbedThe two them. sat onJinse the was deece sobbing. again; Tamand putthis histime arm nobody about her;I have and not there the leastwas genuine doubt, asfeeling he said in thein his poor tenderest chap’s words,tones, pun’“ Dinna o’ butter noo, asJinse—Ye’se lang’s I’m neverable to wunt work a for’t.”peck o’ meal nor a 90 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. By-and-by Jinse’s emotion moderated, and they got into a more“ Does business Gushets strain; ken yet?”and then Tam asked— the “nicht Eh, awi’ the dinna aifterneen, ken richt, fan aw aw never haumer’t got sic into a gast’s the kitchieaw got meupo’ gyaun the mistress awa’.” an’ him speakin’ something or anither aboot “ ButShe an’jist coorsekent theshe streen’tkent aboot I wudnait afore be?” here aifter the wasterm; leavin’. I gyauna But ’er an’ muckle ye hed audiscence heard the fanmaister she speir’tfan he foobrak I deenoot—I fat cudna I hed ’a liket!” haud’n up my heid, Tam, nor been ongrutt’n, “ GeyanAn’ did lickly!ye tell himFa wud’aonything deen mair, that, than noo? ?” But I tell’t herthreatened aifter he“ greetin was awa’—it ” again. was rael sair, Tam,” and Jinse ““No; Did shebut saythough ony illthe upo’ maister me ?” wasasked in Tam.a terrible ill teen jist,wun, aboot’s fan she gyaun scault’s, awa’ an’ an’ gya’s that, saeI was muckle waur, gweedgin waur advice, cud tee.”“Ou weel, Jinse, we’re nae waur nor ither fowk, nor yet sae Withill’s plenty.” this comforting reflection the conversation turned, and Jinse asked— “ ButI’m fatbidin’ are yeagain.” gyaun to dee a’ simmer?” “ Bidin’ at Clinkstyle ?” “ Ay.”But it’s a coorse place to bide in, isnin’t ?” the “circumstances, Weel,” answered to make Tam, that slowly, admission, and not “ quitethe wife’s willing, some in ’imsel.”roch an’ near b’gyaun, but there’s little tribble wi’ the maister “ DidnaBut I wasna ye hear there. o’ nae I itherbargain’t place the at daythe marketafore, and ?” didna seek to gyang. Ye see, I taul’ the maister’t I wud tak’ a day for’tTam fan theevidently neeps consideredis laid doon.” this a stroke of management, and“ Jinse, An’ fan brightening wud it need up toa Iktle,be ?” asked— on twa“Jist Sundays, as seen’s at thingsony rate.” can be sattl’t. We maun be cried A START IN LIFE. 97 ““Twa Ay, there’s Sundays?” nane but pucMes o’ the gentry gets’t deen in ae Sunday,“ Weel, yeaw maunb’lieve.” come up to my mither’s on Saturday’s nicht.”“ Ou ay, an’ we can speak aboot it better than. Your mither’Ilshe ’ll be kenpitt’n a’ abootaboot thewi’ ’swye bidin’ o”t, there.I ’se warran’. I wuss Butwe cudI doot ’a gotten“ Weel, a hoose we onymaun wye.” jist pit up wi’ things like ither fowk, I suppose.”“ But it ’ll mak’ sic a steer in her hoose, ye ken.” bed,“ it’sOh, naewe ’ll vera manage sair finein order for that eenoo maitter. ; but IThere’s Ve twa herfedder but pillowsblankets’t o’ mythe mistressnain, an’ helpit’sa patch’t to coverin’,spin, an’ gya’sforbye the a pairfeck o’ yethe maun ’oo’. haeThere yer ’ll ain be kist plenty aside o’ roomye, ye for ken.” my kist i’ the but, an’ stant,“ But it’s yer nae’s mither gin’t winna war onlyhae gweeda fyou sparin’weeks. ’er Sheroom winna con- get “nae Ou, eese but o’’t ye hersel’.”ken there’s nane o’ oor fowk comes hame fareenoo, awa’. ’cep An’Rob, ony an’ nicht’t Nelly Rob’sat an antrinthere, gintime; ye chanc’tJamie’s toowre be thecud samesleep wi’nicht, my youmither, twa an cud Nelly sleep tee, thegither, for that maitter.”seerly; an’ I “ FooAboot af’en ance does i’ the Rob fortnicht come ?” or three weeks.” upon“ Iwhose think mindI ’ll winthe neargeneral as afen’seffect of that this mysel’,” conversation said Tam, had beennot merely rather exhilaratingcontrivance; than she otherwise.had also foresightHis sweetheart and thrift, had evidently,testified. asStill the he general hankered inventory after a given house of that her he “ providin’could call ” extravagant.his own. It wasIf henot could that Tam’sget one ambition end of aon “ butthis an’point a ben was ” cottage,breid” of about a garden, such anda place the aschance Smiddyward, of going with to see a “his cannas- wife onceBut a-week, this Tam he would found have to be been impracticable. well content. He made full inquiry;smith, whose and bantereven invoked was turned the aid into of hearty his acquaintance sympathy with the thetackled statement Dawvid of theHadden, case nowthe ground-officer,laid before him. and Theurged smith the 98 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. reparation of part of the old erections of which Sandy Tam.Peterkin’s As theschool manner formed of sycophantsthe main wing, dressed as ina dwellinga little dele- for whatgated heauthority imagined is, Dawvid’sSir Simon answer would was have a kindsaid, of“Na, echo na,of ecomonysmith, it’s to a encouragevery fallawshus the doonsittin’ prenciple ino’ fatthe they like ca’ o’ thempoleetical in a place.—Ou, it’s nae the expense. Na, na, the biggin o’ a richtscore ino’ hoosesprenciple—a wud be mere a mere triffle. triffle, But gin thereSir Simon they sitthocht doon, it peeran’ fesh fowk—the up faimilies brod till cud they never wud keepthraten the to tae full halfa destrick o’ them. wi’ tillim.”No ; I’m weel seer they ’ll get nae hoose i’ the pairis’ o’ Pyke- it expressed,It was not firstly, a kindly the speech newest that view of Dawvidof political Hadden economy ; albeit in carriedthe locality, out; whichand, secondly,was just thenan accurate beginning statement to be practically of Tam thisMeerison’s particular, chances Tam of hadgetting his a stronghouse withinwish andthe parish.reasonable In whodesire lives completely in a comfortable defeated. home It maywith behis difficultfamily aboutfor the him man to deterioratingestimate with effectsprecision involved either thein keennesssuch disappointment. of feeling, or theI don’t think it should be difficult for any man to make up his landmind policy as to givingwhich ahas hearty entailed condemnation the like cruel to the hardship too common upon hundredsTam belonged. of honest hard-working men in the class to which haveBut only my to businessadd to this is chapternot to moralise,that, as better I daresay; could notand be, I married,Tam Meerison and commence and Jinse theirDeans career had ofno weddedhelp for bliss it but under get the slenderly equipped conditions already indicated. CHAP TEE X Y 11. SANDY PETERKIN IS WARNED. XA'&HETHERtered to thethe Rev.unceremonious Andrew Sleekaboot home-thrust by adminis- Johnny preparedGibb had toanything say, but to so do it withwas, thethat matter very speedily or not, afterI am thatnot occurrence,“ had his attention the patron directed of the ” toparish the current and lord state of ofthe opinion, manor wasand onerecent of thoseon-goings lofty individualsat Smiddyward whose School.attention Sirrequires Simon to- bemany directed common-place to this or that;events or transactingthey might themselvesfor long overlook before ortheir wrongly, view ; andthat inthe the Rev. present Mr. Sleekaboot,case, it was insurmised, his own rightly quiet dignifiedway, had, baronet. on second Anyhow thoughts, Sir takenSimon means was stirred to stir up up ; andthe heden, made that itthe known, “ conventicle through ” hisheld ground in Sandy officer, Peterkin’s Dawvid school Had- mustIt forthwithwould not “ have cease been and indetermine.” accordance with Sandy Peter- kin’sand policy antecedents as to “joukhad he an’ exhibited lat the jaw” as much of Sir worldly Simon’s prudence wrath “about gae owre.”finishing So, a secondalthough spell the of Rev. preaching Alister inMacrory the school, was justand thereoccupied was in no the immediate same way, prospect Sandy choseof the to place return being an furtherabrupt venticleand rebellious stopped. answer Sandy, to Sir without Simon’s consulting orders to any have one, the replied con- thatof the he school was a tocitizen anybody of a freehe pleased. country, and would give the use better“ Yea, ca’ cannySaun’ers, ; aw man,” wuss answered that bit Dawvidmou’fu’ dinnaHadden. craw “ Yei’ yer ’ll crap“ Weor a’ ’ll be tak’ deen.” oor risk o’ that, Mr. Hadden; for even Sir Simon“ Maybe hasna no;the poo’erbut it ’llo’ potbe cheeng’tan’ gallows wardles noo.” an he binna IOO JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. ablehaein to a reefbaud’s o’ ony nain kin’ wi’ abeen them’t’s their heids.obleeg’t I till’s’se jist leenity warn forye ance mair to be cowshus ; or ye ’ll hear mair aboot it.” reckonedAlong abovewith anhim, abundance Dawvid Hadden of toadyism exhibited towards not athose little he of het}ie imagined, spirit of the came petty fairly tyrant within on the the side compass seen by of the his people particular who, toauthority, Sir Simon and of it Sandyis not toPeterkin’s be supposed behaviour that the toward version Dawvid given anythingas Sir Simon’s of its representative, offensiveness. sufferedAt any that rate, behaviour Dawvid to verylose connectionspeedily began between to let attendancemysterious hintsat the drop Smiddyward about the servicesgeneral and brevity of tenure on the lands of Sir Simon Frissal, and kinhe did had not put scruple himself to entirely let it be at understoodhis, Dawvid’s, that mercy. Sandy Peter- hadI beendon’t consulted,know that would either have the souteradvised or Sandythe smith, Peterkin if they to nevertheless,do the rash thingthey werehe did both in contemningroused at the Dawvid idea thatHadden; “the ascreatur they ”agreed should in insult considering a man thewho dominie was so ofmuch the hisWard superior, to be. withoutProbably, any however, particular their result, indignation had it not would been havethat just subsided about the time when it was hottest, Johnny Gibb, who had been cularadvised act, of came Dawvid’s across general to the smiddyongoings, on butsome not lawful of this errand. parti- Thethe wright, smith washad goingcome onacross at the from hearth, the “Toon-en’,”for Hairry Muggart, carrying toon “strap.”his shoulder Hairry a plough was abeam, ponderously which hebuilt wanted man, thewith smith feet redmuch with bigger which than his they face were was shapely, amply splashed.and a bluish He tint was in de-the hadliberate to sayin his with movements, a certain copiousand delivered and opinionative himself of whategotism he goingwhich onwas full rather swing. enjoyable The “ strappin’ to listen ” ofto Hairry’swhen Hairry beam washad whichbeen completed,the conversation when turneda breathing upon Dawvidspace occurred,Hadden andduring his proceedings.“ Fat div ye say ?” quoth Johnny Gibb. “ Did the crea- tur “raelly Or to gae dee the ’im length nae oonjustice,o’ threatenin’ we the sail maister?” suppose that he only delivefft the laird’s orders,” said the smith. SANDY PETERKIN IS WARNED. IOI “ Laird or nae laird, he ocht to keep a ceevil tongue in’s heid.”“ Weel, I winna say but Sandy spak back in a wye’t was lickly to gar the body cantle up. Ye ken we Ve a! oor weyk- nesses,“ I maunGushets!” see Sandy about this at ance. I ’ll tell ye fat it is, smith, things is cornin’ till a heid in this countra, ’t fowk sudcan-not gae pitto theup Placewi’. Ian’ ’se seebe Sirat theSeemon boddom ’imsel’ o’ this,the morn.” though I Muggart,“ Aw’m in dootin’an oracular ye winna way. fin’ ’im there, John,” said Hairry “ An’He’s fat awa’ for tono the?” Sooth yesterday. Dawvid cam’ up to me afore sax o’clock i’ the mornin’. She was jist up an’ the baran’ heraff o’nicht the door,mutch an’ nae was aff, o’ fanthe heroad comes oot wi’roon the by ais-backet, the stack mou’Dawvid. like a‘ man’Serve gyaun me, fat to areredd ye fire. on sic‘ Isa chasethe vricht for at up this ?’ says oor an’i’ the throws momin’ on ?’my says waistcoat my wife. an’ stapsI heard my thefeet clatterin’o my o’ sheen,them, owrean’ gin yer that bed,’ time says he he. was ‘ Fanat the did door. ever ye‘ Ou, get ye’ve me i’ wunmy bedoot wi’at this ’im, time ye see.i’ the Butmornin’ Dawvid ?’ says rebats, I, an’ wudan’ says’a ta’en he, a‘That’s bit fun neddersma’ borin’ here brace nor there, an’ a Hairry,fyou ither man; teels ye’ll this needmoment to getan’ ca’your a thebit framiecairt.’” thegidder, ’t’s wuntit to keep the loggage steady o’ skweel?”“An’ heardasked yeJohnny onything Gibb, aboot who Sandy had listenedPeterkin notan’ thetoo patiently“ I’m tocornin’ Hairry. to that eenoo, Gushets. Ye see, they sud ’a beenaboot atit, mean’ thethe nichtcairt hedafore. to beHooever, awa’ at theaucht butler o’clock forgat i’ the a’ formofnin’. ance. ButWeel, I b’lieve as aw ginwas Dawvid sayin’, the didna cairt soun’ was thema’ in orderaboot init fineOh, time.he wud An’ hae Dawvid nae na-say, was i’but the I gran’estwud gae humour’t up by the cud Wasc be. wi’Lodge, ’im. faurAweel, Meg thisRaffan fares the on, henwife an’ we bides,hed oor an’ dram tak’ my thegidder, brakfist likethis onyan’ that.twa lairds;An’ it an’was syne than’t Dawvid he taul got me rael that crackie the laird aboot was gyaunwudna awa’lickly to be the hame Sooth for aboot a puckle some months faimily p.t affairs,ony rate.” an’ ’t he 102 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETN-EUK. “An’ Dawvid was to reign in’s stead, nae doot!” sug- gested“ Weel, the smith.he was gey lairge upo’ that. ‘ Ye see it’s nae a lichtbuzness responsibility o’ an estate at like nae this. time,’ An’ says it’s he,aiven ‘ till mair conduck seriouser the atBut a Itime hae fulllike poo’er this; tofor ack Sir accordin’ Simon has to my naebody nain joodgment.’” but mysel’. “ ButHe jist he saidnadid that, naething John. abootSays hethe ‘ They’veskweel than been ?” haein’ a in’s.gey on-cairryAn’ that doon creatur at thePeterkin Ward, gyawi’ thatme thenon-intrusion grytest o’ ensol-meet- myence poo’er, the tither gin Inicht. dinna Butgi’e ’imjist abide grip still,that tillhe hisnaI get ’imgotten rich! the i’ like“ o’’t An’ forye somedidna time.’ tell Dawvid’t ” ye hed been a regular hearer aton theat meetin’sthe light yersel’and easy ?” said job theof sharpeningsmith, who thewas prongs now going of a graip“ Oufor na,”Johnny replied Gibb. Hairry, with a “ fozy” laugh. “ Fan he maistdidna seerappear that to he ken, has I keepitnae orders my thoom fae Sir upo’ Simon that. toBut meddle I’m wi’ “ThatSandy Peterkin,wud only fatever mak’ hemaitters may thraten.” waur an’ waur,” said decidetJohnny stepGibb. to lat“ But oor at opingans ony rate, be it’s kent, high an’ time tak’ tomizzours tald some for vilegesgettin’ theo’ the commoonity Kirk o’ Scotland, instrucket as weel’saboot thefat richtsbelangs an’ to pree- the ceevilkwintra.” poo’er. That’s gaen on in a hantle o’ places throu’ the meetin’“ At ?” public asked meetin’s Hairry. ? Weel, foo sudna we hae a public noveltyThe ofsmith the idea.and Johnny At last seemed the smith a little said— taken aback at the mith“We’re mak’ but nae a peer vera job public o’’t—Wud kin’ o’ ye characters, tak’ the cheer Hairry, yersel’?” an’ “ CudninEh—weel, we failin’get Sandy a better, an’ awthe dinna souter differ.” in aboot, an’ try Johnnyan’ sattle Gibb. upo’ something, as lang’s we’re thegither?” asked smith,“ Naething who speedily easier had nor a juvenilethat, at messengerony rate,” despatchedanswered thefor the Andtwo worthiesso they resolved named. to have a public meeting. It was the opinion of Roderick M‘Aul, the souter, that they should SANDY PETERKIN IS WARNED. 103 followinviting up some the Rev.prominent Alister membersMacrory’s of evangelical the non-intrusion services sec- by intion the of great the clergy controversy to address now themgoing on on the within principles the Church involved of oughtScotland. to be Butkept while in view there as wasan ultimatea general object, agreement Johnny that Gibb this demonstrationexpressed a strong on their opinion own inaccount, favour ofas somea sort more of embodiment immediate shape,of their or protest from whateveragainst tyranny quarter. and Hairry, oppression, as in inconsistency whatever thebound, only supported place where his ownit had idea entered of a public anybody’s meeting. head Of course,that it thecould smith, be held, in view was inof Sandywhat had Peterkin’s occurred, school. indirectly The soutersuggested and aquite little out caution of place on in that the point.circumstances—(Johnny This the other two in hisdeemed heat, evenonly pointdefined was, Dawvid would Hadden Sandy Peterkinas a “pushion’t be willing ted,”)—the to give them“ Weel-a-watthe use of the ye schoolwinna hae’t? twice to seek,” said Sandy, an’cheerfully. heicher. “ ItI’m does only fine sorry wi’ me; that but my fordesk’s a public nae speakera bit wider it’s uncoOnly there’scrampit; great an’ principlesMr. Macrory at stake, compleen’t an’ nae wiPdoot ill the upon’t. man geythat hameo’erfeels their place. importance I ’ll be ’ll richt mak’ prood nae words to think to speakthat I incan a accommodat’So there only a meetin’ remained for sic the a gweed duty purpose.”of “ adverteesin ” the manmeeting, personally as Hairry inviting phrased those it, withinwhich hiswas own to be circle, done to by attend every atagreed the proper upon. time, when the day and hour had been finally CHAPTEE XYIII. THE PUBLIC MEETING. would not be correct to say that the promoters of the as?* to■) theSmiddyward order of business meeting that omitted should preliminary be observed consultation when they andhad gotdebated the public much assembledthereanent, in only the theirschool; ideas they on deliberatedthe subject were“ Wenot maunvery definite. get the principles for which the Kirk o’ Scot- Johnnyian’ ’s conten’in’ Gibb. “ expoon’it It’s a sair in pity a wye’t that theyMaister can Macrory’soon’erstan,” awa’; said memory,but ye’ve souter, heard mithnaj*a hantle o”stry an’discoorse, rin owre an’ye’ve the heids a o’’t gweed ?” poo’er“ I wud; but be ye richt ken willin’,I’m nae Gushets, gremmarian, to dee onythingan’ cudna within conneck my it nae“ Get gate Sandy nor ither’t Peterkin the fowk ’imsel’ cud tofollow pit ame,” bit saidnarrative the souter. the- gidder,”subjec’, an’interposed aiven though the smith. he war “He’s to jot doonweel bitsacquant an’ read.” wi’ the “ Fat“ I’mexpairience nae in wi’cud that he haeava,” ? never answered oot owre’s Hairry skweel Muggart. door toLat ken some fat’s ane’t’s been gyaunbeen a on. wutness ‘ Seein’ to the ’s believin’,’ootrages o’as the they ceevil say. poo’er,seen you as atGushets vawrious says, Presbytery tak’ up themeetin’s; leems. forbye’tGushets, ye I’vewas yonup at knowe-heid Culsalmon’, saw tee, a sichtat the that fawmous day’t intrusionI wunna foryetcase.—Ay, in a hurry.“’Wa’ Fat wi’ for ye, sudna_ybraid hill-heid!’ bonnet, says gyaun he. at‘ Ou,an unco ay. flaucht.’There ’ll be’Weel, twa- binna,three there nae thanksthe day—Is to them there for’t,’ to besays ony the din?’ mannie, ‘Gin meanin’ there wi’the GushetsPresbytery an’ like,me. an’‘ An’ wi’ willthat they he daccles raelly gaea bit, on an’ till keeps a sattle- on theirment han’iwarkwi’ this Middleton?’ winna be confeerin says Gushets. wi’ their ‘An’ teels,’ they quo’ dinna he. the‘Ye Presbytery’smean the Presbytery?’ ill aneuch theirThe leens. mannie Bit gi’es bide a lauch,ye still ‘Ay, till ceevilwe win poo’er up to the the day’t kirk. the Gin Garioch ye dinna hisna see seen a turn the ootlike o’ o’the i’ Jockthe memory o’ Pittodrie, o’ leevin’ it’s a ferlieman, to or me. aiven The fae Shirra the days o’ the o’ coonty, Black 108 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. Maister Murray, they tell me’s been there sin’ yesterday, an’ faethe Fiscal,Pitcaple, Maister an’ I Simpson,believe the ’s there; Captain, forbye fae Shirra Logie, Lumsdell, tee. Of coorse,an’ they the say Presbytery’s anither lawvyer legal awgent’sor twa. upAn’ fae mair Cromwellside, nor a’ that, them,there’s up a thebatch road, o’ naethat fyouer new ruralnor aboot constaabulary, foifteen o’ themas they oon’er ca’ theirchiel, captain,wi’ a besom ane An’erson,o’ black hair a muckle aboot’s blawn-up mou’, ’t hed red-fac’t-like been i’ the lattin’tairmy, theylicht’t say; he an’did fuddersay’t he or sud no hesattle said the it, minaistersome o’ them to them was theat the Culsalmon’ point o’ the mannie baignet.’ taul’s, Isna Gushets that aboot ?” the rinniris o’ fat' aifterhin“ Ye’re clinch’t weel withinthe feck boun’s, o’’t to Hairry, the ootside.” man ; an’ fat we saw Chairman,“ Ye maun inspecting aye keep his inMS., min’, “that my fanfreen’s,” the Presbytery continued metthe langon the meetin’ twenty-aucht it was : fato’ Octoberwi’ objections to moderat and interjections the Call—an’ they a theywar affmet an’ ye on maun at it recolleck’t for aboot a’a haillthe namesroun’ o’pitten the knock—fanto the Call norin fawvoUr auchty-nine o’ the heidspresentee, o’ faimilies wus only exercees’t forty-five their ; an’ veto nae against fyouer ment’im. wasThase forc’t were on thewi’ circumstancesa’ this mengyie oonder o’ shirras, which an’ the lawvyers, sattle- kirk,an’ constables.—It’s it was gyaun upon a vera eleyven stiff brae,o’clock. an’ ere‘ Hooever,’ we wan up says to the begin,mannie, an’ ‘ weI ’se ’ll bewarran in braw they time; sanna it’s apen twal the ere kirk the doorssattlement till’s till than.’ So we tak’s a luik roun’ for ony kent fowk. They hunners,war stannin’ fowk aboot fae a’a’ thegate pairis’es roun’ aboot roun’ the aboot, kirk, an’in scoressome faean’ hyneo’ the awa’ tither, as faraw doon’sb’lieve; Marnocn some war o’ thestampin’ tae han’ their an’ feetKintore an’ a-heat;slappin’ pucklestheir airms wus like sittin’ the o’ yauws the kirkyard o’ a win’mill dyke, to smokin’ keep them an’ mairgyaun gedderin on wi’ a’ inkin’ aboot—it o’ orra jaw was aboot thocht the there minaisters, wus weel an’ on aye to cornin’twa thoosan’ up fae there the manse ere a’ wasaboot deen. fat theAn’ Presbytery aye a bit fudder was deein was *—they Nyod, war they chaumer’t maun be there, sattlin ye see, ’im wi’ i’ thethe lawvyersmanse,’ an’says so ane,on. ‘ we ’ll need ’a gae doon an’ see gin we can win in.’ ‘ Na, na,’ says anither, ‘ a bit mair bather aboot their dissents an’ ap- THE PUBLIC MEETING. I09 fatpales they bein’ try. ta’en But ; muckle here’s need Johnny they Florence,care, wi’ sicthe a bellman,Presbytery, at An’the langwi’ that length, he pints I ’se betill ata carliethe boddom cornin’ o’across fat they the ’re green, at noo.’ wi’ hingin’a bit paper aboot in’s the han’, manse an’ adoor gryte at’s squad tail. o’‘ them’tOo, it’s hed Johnny been gyauno’ them to gya read a theroar edick,’ o’ a lauch. cries a Itgey seems stoot Johnny’s chap, an’ naetwa parti-three cularthe edick. scholar, ‘Noo,’ so the saysPresbytery they, ‘ye’llhed been read in thatsome at doots the abootmost patentest‘Can ye read door vrite?’ o’ the church—the‘An’ it be geyanwast door.’ plain,’ ‘Yes,’says John says ; he.so theharkenin”s edick was gin read he owreuner’steed and owre it—(We again heard till ’im, aboot an’ Johnnya’ this aifterhin,o”t. Johnny ye ken). was farBut fae they claer gae upon’s ’im a geylesson. time wi’‘Speak ’s readin’ oot, that,min !’Johnny,’ cries ane. says ‘ anither;I think ye an’ mith they pronunce interrupt some ’im fanbetter he wasnor tryin’mou, an’to readmakin’ wi’ the a’ kin’uncoest o’ haivers, style o’’t’t takin’ cud the be. words ‘ Weel, oot o’’shae yeJohnny, ony speeshalfairly dung objections wi’ the paper. to Maister ‘ Haena Middleton?’ we than ! A crieshun- Johnnyner o’ them, wan an’mairthrou’ the !’ edickroars in’sseverals. nain fashion,Wi’ ae an’put syne an’ row,cuts faurawa’ weback wus to afore.—Saethe manse, farwi’ o’ a the lot edick,”o’ them continued aifter ’im, the leavin’’s Chair- man,readin’ pausing ’t, jeedge to gather ye. Hooever,himself again. aw b’lieve “ Gin the that Presbytery was to be ca’dwus contentthat ‘ objections wi’ the bellman’s were called endeavour, for an’ and none pat offer’!.’ it upo’ theirThe buiks mul- wartiteed ‘cornin’!’ wus tynin patienceThe Shirra gey sairo’ the fan coonty,the sough Murray, gat up’t Shirra they Lumsdell, the Fiscal—an’ neen there hed a mair maroonjous o’face the that constaabulary, day—Captain came Da’rymple, up wi’ an’them, this ackin’An’erson, as thea body- heid guardtheir chairge. appearandly, An auncientto defen’ poetthe shepherds hath said— fae the flock oon’er WasThe hurlyricht weelburly worth noo began, the seein’. An’ gin it war lawfu’ to be vyokie owre sairious maitters o’ that akin’, roch it’s an’ a richtrael trueset geywye puckles o’ descryvin o’ them, the andthing. a sadOh, ongae they theywar littlemade to o’ be ’t; expeckit only they fae them,war but by’se ignorant fae the setkwintra o’ leern’t fowk, men’t an’ IIO JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. thehed richtsta’en’t o’upo’ the them people to provokeoon’erneath them their to mischief, feet. They tramplin’ war there,makin’ an’ for puckles the wast at door the tither: but severaldoor, a’ hunners ettlin for hed into congregat the kirk faneverconstaabulary, the doors an’ sud a fyou be apen’t.shirra-offishers, This Captain tried An’erson,to birze throu’ wi’s an’ make an apenin. ‘ Stan’ back noo, my men : stan’ back cairnsnoo.’ But,o’ them instead rinkin o’ that,up upo’ they the ’re jammindyke. Thetee at Presbytery their heels, wus wi’ stoitinMiddleton, here an’though there the : ane Shirra gat’s washat ca’dtakin’ owre’s speeshal een, an’care Maister o’ his ba’ssafe-aty, ; an’ gat there’s a bit a clinkstory, orthough twa, Iit sanna was said,vooch wi’ for’t, bits thato’ snaw fan rax’tthey warowre fairly atweesh stuck’n the forshou’ders a minit o’ or twa twa, three a lang o’ them,airm wasan’ nosea han’ o’ thatane o’naebody the heid kent deesters fa’t belang’tan’ gya’t till sic gat a thrawa grip thato’ the it fordidna a file.tyne theBut purpie the trowthcolour o’nor the come maitter back was,to the naebody aul’ set wudSome ’a o’ kent the ceevilsair fat authorities was deein begood or fa towas repree maist an’ to thraten,blame. butspak’ a back,chap or‘ Fat twa, wye naar can grippit we help braid it?’ i’an’ the ithers, crood maybe themsel’s, nae touchin’owre weel naebody; inten’it, roar’t'Fatwe’re nae arebrakin’ we deein?’ the law:’ ‘We’re an’ some nae yeto’ them’t ?’ But cudna aw wat see theyspeert keepit gin theirthe ‘policetemper hedbyous strucken weel: atweenthough itane was o’ said the that heid some deesters gey roch an’ andsome win’y orra words chiels pass’t ere thea’ was door deen. in coorse, Hoosomever, an’ apens’t, ae chielan’ in wi’ they the gaed, key jistwins like at asthe muckle jaws’ o’ wrack, the sea, alang cairryin wi’ them. minaisters, I tint shirras,sicht o’ an’Gushets a’, like in fana minit, I’m jistan hedat the muckle door cheek,adee tofa baudsud be o’ dirdit my fitinto ava. the neukAn’ fairMel’rum. afore meYe’ll but min’ Geordie upo’ him,Wobster, some theo’ ye, shirra’s sin’ the offisher, time’t faehe hedThe raithersic a pilgit him norhuntin’ me, upfor aul’he gatLindsay a yafu foryark stealin’ against bees, the j doorcries, cheek.‘Ye’re killin’Wobster a man gi’e’s !’ agullerBut fa ootcud o’ help ’im, it;and ye some mith ane as weelFoudland; try’t toan’ stop in theythe northgaed. win’Only cornin’ the like throu’ o’ ’im’s the Glenssicklike o’ brokenees’t wi’ rib, sharries’t or sicklike. they ’reAweel, nae ineasy we fell’t—theygets to the kirk,say he an’ gat I ’se a THE PUBLIC MEETING. tell you I was blythe to edge into the first seat’t I cud win an’at. inThe o’ shirrasthe heritors’ an’ the seat fiscal i’ themanag’t forebreist; to win the up Presbyteryto the laft, wusnever seatit in a atkirk the nor fit ooto’ theo’’t. poopit. Some Butane saidsic a the noise moderawtor ye heard wudfaurt preach—thatyoung chap—but was Maisteraw b’lieve Peter, he o’never Kemnay, wan in’oa weel- the hedpoopit wun. yet, nae‘ Keep mair ’im nor oot, he the wud Tory!’ ’a heard’s cries ane;nain someword wudgin he ’a jokithe wud wi’ ‘ thisdee’t Captain better,’ An’ersonan’ there towas ‘ gaea gryte up an’lauch preach,’ that nane ’cause o’ themane and hed synebrocht ane, a Bibledeman’it wi’ them;quaetness, and fanthey the only shirras, cried firstoot, war‘ Hoot, Hingin’ never aboot min’ bits ’im; o’ keep skelbs up o’the stickles din;’ an’and a’ siclike. the time Weel, they thishe’s gaesan el’er, on for aw I b’lieve—he’se warran’ anstan’s oor, upfan an’ Captain says, ‘Da’rymple— I noo claim theduty.’ protection An’ oot o’ they the shirra,forces thethe Presbyteryhaill body beingo’ them, deforc’t awa’ inback its* words,to the manse,‘ I have faur planted, it was saidand aApollos sermon watered was preach’t ’—(a manniefae the saysPaul tohed me, naething ‘ Ay, he adee tyeuk wi’ thesic plantin’;words oot he o’ sudPaul’s ’a saidmou’, Peter but plantitthe din at gaed ance on’—’t i’ wusnathe kirk; that oh, oonwutty there was o’ the a carlie).set o’ roch-like Weel, breetshyse; an’up awaboot b’lieve the erepoopit, a’ was an’ deen ane theyin’t haudinwar singin’ a terrible sangs haean’ smokin’Culsalmon’ their psalms?’pipes intill’t. an’ anitherAne cries mak’s oot answer, o’’t ‘ Will ‘ Gie’s ye vyersHoly Willie’sconcludit Prayer.’ the sattlement Of coorse i’ the the manse Presbytery again’ an’a’ sponsible the law- objections;ca’in i’ their an’gigs, syne some they ridin’; drappit but aff though hame anebourachs an’ ane, o’ somefowk waswus a’stanin deen abootor no. the The place fowk nae i’ athe tell kirk wud bade they still;tell ginsome it thochtthe minaister they wud throu’ come the back—somekirk afore twal said at thatnicht, they or hebe’t wudna a pit bethe richtreerie sattl’t—somegaed on wi’ a’ saidkin’ o’ae orra thing, jaw. some Fan anither, it was beginnin’ but aye wudto gloam see thethey en’ war o’’t jowin’ tho’ the’t sud bell be like three a’ thing, o’clock an’ i’ declarin’ the mornin’. they an’An’ nail’taw b’lieve up the some kirk o’doors them ere raelly they badeleeft—the till aboot gey feck midnicht o’ the lozenssud be i’ brakin’the windows amo’ thehed lavebeen but broken ane ereo’ the that bellman’s time; an’ ain fa 112 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. loons—so they said. But we thocht it time to be stappin hamewuthsawna the hin’erafore ween’ tinto’’t.” the daylicht a’thegither, an’ that wye his AtMS., this attempted point the an Chairman enforcement again of paused;the “ moral and, reflections gathering ” beto bea very drawn serious from loss what to omithe had this so part.) fully Hestated. then called(It will upon not Johnnya brief address, Gibb to whereinfollow up he his recounted speech; howand the Johnny Justices did called so in anda great how meeting the Captain at Pitmachie, reported, atad which longam, Sir allRobert the horrorspresided, of thebroken, day andat Culsalmond;seats torn up, and but thatthat notthe “only rioters windows ” had madewere bodyconsiderable bulk!—“Jist progress like’m towards to telltoppling that,” exclaimeddown the Johnny,gallery, with“ a riot vehemence. ” did take Andplace, how that the “ aJustices spirit ofgravely resistance agreed to thatthe lewthat ” the had Justices been gaining considered ground it their in that duty unhappy to intimate region; all andthis ment,”to “ Her and Majesty’s a host Secretaryof other highof State dignitaries, for the Home including Depart- the immediatelyLord Advocate; be andtaken to asrequest will thatlead “ tosuch the measures detection should and punishmentsimilar outrages of the in offenders,future; as andotherwise, the effectual the powers prevention and in-of fluenceand the of expensive the Magistrates establishment will be completelyof the rural set police,at defiance, into whichthan useless.” the county “ An’ has that’s lately the entered, bonny will upshot be rendered o’ a meetin’ worse q’ heelda score in o’ MaisterSirs, an’ Cooper’sGenerals, on an’ the Captains, thirti’et an’ day common o’ November lairds, paper,last past,” from said which Johnny, he had throwing been endeavouring down a sadly to chafed read. news-“ A toset the o’ braveheid authoritiesbirkies they o’ are, the Ikwintra, 'se asseer like ye! as monyRinnin chuckens peeakin ’tdeeins hed tinthed their brocht mither; aboot. an’ a’ Jistfor ajeedge bit stramash’t ye noo fattheir kin’ nain o’ foospiritooal they ack guidance wi’ them ye maythat expeckcomes faeoon’er that their quarter, merciment fan ye see in wusceevil ta’en maitters. to Edinboro’, Nae less to norgang five afore fowk’t the was Lords, there as thatye ’re day a’ weelWilliamston—he awaar. Of coorse,hed come they owre wudna sair miss forrat oot o’ Dr.the Robisonnon-intru- o’ sionHairry side—but or me, Ithe suppose. ither four,An’ they aiven mith at ’athe as trial weel afore ta’en this up THE PUBLIC MEETING. Lord Joostice Clark, the doctor, as ye a’ ken, was pruv't Not theGuilty; tither the twa, lads they Walker war fley’tand Spencetill try ava.wan affThat’s unproven, the wye an bonnythat yer set joostices or than an’ no. kirk But pawtrons fat syne—gin wud rowle the thelaw kwintra—a o’ the lan’ pleesour!alloo’t, little That’sto them nae wud maitter jail ilkao’ guessane o’’swark, at theirbut fairlynain pruv’tI’ve nae by mairfat they’ve to say, deen but jistere this,this time.that it’sNoo vera afore necessar’ we sin’er, for readyane an’ to a’ mainteen’to’’s to tak’ atill side, the the Kirk side o’ o’ Scotian’richt prenciple, establish an’ her be richtsWhen owre Johnny the croon Gibb o’ ’erhad oppressors.” ended, there was a silence of somePeterkin, duration, expressed till first their Andrew sense Langchafts, of the high and value next ofSandy the ingspeeches closed delivered. with the Veryunderstanding little more thatwas said,another and wouldthe meet- be calledI may when have circumstances occasion hereafter seemed to to note demand other it. results of this meeting.sort of basis Meantime to such non-intrusion let me say that movement it served as in distinguished reality as a newspapersthe parish of had Pyketillim. had the Abenefit few months of a very previously long advertise- the local ment,Formartine containing district, the and names a few of lairds,a great all many zealous farmers and ingodly the brethrenchurchmen, who addressed formed the in majority sympathetic of the Presbyteryterms to theof Strath- noble bogie,ence to and the settinglaw, and forth so howon. theSeveral “ Scripture” of the leading enjoins menobedi- in thoughtPyketillim, it would including be a Mainscreditable of Yawal thing andto follow Teuchitsmyre, this example had ; beingand they in illhad temper spoken at thereofthe time, to gave Jonathan them littleTawse. “ audiscence,” Jonathan communityand so the thingseized fell the flat. occasion But now of thisthe wholeSmiddyward section publicof the be,meeting against to turnthose the who public had laughattended and it. scorn, And, as in far particular, as might everytached individual to him or who her hadthe designationbeen there, youngof a “ Non,”or old, which, had at- of course,with it signifieda deal ofnon-intrusionist, rustic wit or butsarcasm, was understood inasmuch toas carry the right“Non” and was proper accepted to sneeras a sortat, orof weakaffect fanatic,to pity, accordingwhom it was to circumstances. CHAPTEE XIX. MEG RAFFAN, THE HENWIFE. fcti.N t^ie lands of Sir Simon Frissal it had been the prac- yearly ticeto the from laird time a immemorial“ reek hen.” toIn bind former every days, tenant however, to pay merelythe fowl a insymbol question of vassalagehad never as been it were. really Butexacted; in the it mo-was theirdernised tenure form within of lease a score to which of years the tenantsby-gone who had had been renewed made ofsubject, Sir Simon’s the figurative agents, reekbeen henconverted had, by into the half-a-dozen,practical sagacity nine, holding.or a dozen These“ properly had tofed be fowls,” paid overaccording at the tobarn-yards the size ofin fullthe baskets,tale; and covered when withthe suchdamsels convenient went thither piece ofwith calico their as arm-they andcould down fit on—the under headsthe limp of roof—itthe imprisoned was seldom birds that bobbing Dawvid up HaddenIt was no failed part toof beDawvid’s present dutyto see to theirbe there. freights Meg delivered. Raffan, Butthe henwife,then Dawvid was quitewas afit zealously to attend diligent to her official;own business. and a thatman’s which zeal mayis congenial be expected to his to nature. exhibit itselfSo it inwas the that direction notwith- of wouldstanding stand the anduncomplimentary not only count sneers the fowlsof Meg as Raffan, they were Dawvid dis- ofcharged them, from scrutinise the creels, every but separate in so far fowl as hewith could the catch eye sightof a disparagingcontnoisseur. sortHis than observations otherwise on ; theand birds he hadwere incurred oftener ofthe a lastingone occasion, enmity in of the Mrs. audience Birse, byof remarkingthe henwife—“ to her Nyod, servant, lassie, on theythe tae war half oot o’ o’that the creaturs’s egg shall; never an’ theseen lave, meal’s gin cornseerlythey ever /aid sin' themava maun actually be poverees’tluiks as ginwi’ theysax oukshed beenclockin’; in Tod an’ Lowriesome o’ s raellycluicks, tell an’ the wun laird awa’ about wi’ thethat.” half o’ their claes aff. We maun MEG RAFFAN, THE HENWIFE. ■5 It was an insolent speech that of Dawvid, to be sure, thoughand when the the last servant sentence damsel was rehearseduttered in ita inhalf the jocular ears of tone; Mrs. muchBirse, onincensed; her return but to it Clinkstyle,readily occurred Mrs. Birse to herwas thatnaturally Meg aceousRaffan, mattersthe henwife, than wasDawvid a much Hadden, higher and authority her communica- on gallin- tionsas Lowrin with FairMeg washad athitherto hand, whenbeen Peterof a friendly Birse, senior,nature. Peter So —wouldBirse, junior, naturally and othersbe drafted —including off to the Dawvid market, Hadden why not himself have hostagesMeg Raffan against down any to teapossible in a quiet hostile way, operations and at any on ratethe takepart ofthe Dawvid. transaction, Only and Miss as secrecyBirse and was herself known would to be bean privy integral to partgentility of Meg’sbeing tarnishedvery nature, by anythere sinister was noreport risk going of Clinkstyle abroad ; terviewand then were the obvious.possible advantages to be derived from the in- come“ Mrs. to tea Birse’s ? Eh, compliments,” Meg would be &c., delighted; and would and Meg Meg Raffan came accordingly.How hospitable Mrs. Birse of Clinkstyle and her amiable and accomplished daughter were, it needs not my pen to set forth.in;”and The how henwife could shefelt, butand indignantly declared it rebutto be the“ rael aforesaid affeck- richtvile insinuationssnod, sizeable of foolies,”Dawvid quothHadden. Meg. “ Awat“ But theyhe’s war jist a’a ’Servesneevlin, me, ill-fashion’t d’ ye think’t creatur, the laird ’t maun wud be hear meddlin’ ony o’ wi’his a’thing.ill-win’ abootdee onything respectable o’ the fowk; kin’. SirJist Simon’s luik sic mair an ongae’so’ a gentleman he’s been nor haudin’skweel at aboot the Ward—aw’m the Nohs, an’ seer that that xneetin”t was nane was o’ his doon bizziness.” i’ the hae,“Weel, fleein’ i’Mistress the face Raffan,o’ the vera fat wordkin’ o’a o’ Gweed conscience ?” can he gin “he The cud word get haud’no’ Gweed in wi’! gryteIt’s muckle’t fowk.” he ’ll care for that, kin,“ thanSir Seemon ?” suggested hed gi’en Mrs. ’im Birse. orders to threaten Sandy Peter- But“Weel, the vera aw’m nicht nae aifter thinkin’ the meetin’—(aw ’t he hed not div mony not believeorders, butno. thegedder)—faur’s creatur hed beenmy gentleman lyin’ at the awa’ back till, o’ thinkthe dyke ye ?’’ seein’ them n6 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. fowk“Eh, wud butgae.” aw cudna say; ony wye but faur respectable attuning“Faur her but voice dominie to the Tawse’s! very confidential Ye see,” pitch,continued “ I gatMeg, a’ tyrannical,this fae her naisty,her id’. ill-livin’ Eh, she creatur has a; sadan’ thatlife o”tvera wi’ nicht ’im, thehe drink,cam’ hame an’ isna’t fae the a dominie’srael scunnerfu’ bleezin—he’s thing to takin’ see thesair liketo the o’ companyMaister Tawse, ?” a man o’ leernin’ an’ pairts, colleagin wi’ sic Leernin“Jonathan or than Tawse!—an’ no!” said Mrs. aul’ Birse,sneeshinie, scornfully. drucken “It’sj'ist slype. sic mannie“ Deed, sicawat horsie an’ ye atween never the spak twa a for truer that word,” maitter.” answered Meg, bethinking herself. “ I’m weel seer Maister Peterkin’s bairns.”a muckle mair discreet man to hae chairge o’ onybody’s better“ He’s society seen than a great Tawse,” deal interposedmore of the Miss wordle; Birse. and been in Hadden“ Weel, says ’s toaw me wus at sayin’,”the time, continued says she, Meg‘ Dawvid Raffan, was “ upMrs. b’ cairtsthing elsethe streen,wi’ his talewusnin ?’ says he ?’I. ‘ ‘But Gin fanwe warwas toDawvid believe ony- a”t thingwe hear, less there’s nor gentry.’ some fowk I wudna would latnever ’er mak’aff wi’ nor ocht mell nor wi’ flee’t nae- aw cud help; for£ they ’re that upsettin’, baith o’ them. ‘ Ay forgedderinbut,’ says she, to get that a bitwas boose, nane fano’ yer they dog gat dirders their maisteran’ ostlers oot o’ the road.’ This was lattin at me, ye ken, for inveetin the coachmanawa’; aw’m an’ seer the decentergamekeeper or mair up bye, neebourly aifter Sirfowk Simon ye wudna gaed get i’ the seyven pairis’es. But, aw b’lieve, I hed ’er there no.Dawvid ‘Keep actually me, wasKirsty,’ fou saysat this I, braw‘ye»dinna pairty mean than ?to Theresay’t wusthreepit fowk’t owre ye me ken that weel they i’ the saw Lodge Dawvid this stoiterinvera nicht, as ’the wud gaed ’a didnahame thetak’ streen.the stiffin But oot I wudo’ Kirsty’s not latt’n cockernony, them say’t.’ I ’se Ginlea’e’t.” that said“ Mrs.I’m raelBirse. glaid’t “ Settin’ ye chappit up their ’er nosesin aboot that the wye, richt they gate,” wud need“ Wi’it—vulgar that she pack.” pits ’er apron till ’er een, an’ shak’s ’er heid. dinna‘ Oh, Meggy,’ mention’t says to she,nae leevin.‘ aw kent But ye Dawvid,was aye mythough true hefreen was ; MEG RAFFAN, THE HENWJFE. !I7 weelme the to streen.’live, was ‘richt It hed gweed been company,a humoursome an’ was pairty, not nabal than, wi’as she;weel’s ‘ an’a braw Dhwvid ane ?’was says that I. newsie‘ Weel, aifter an’ it he was cam’ a’ that,’hame’t says I thatthocht Mains never o’ Yawalto get was’im till’sthere, bed.’ an’ Teuchitsmyre, An’ foo that an’she severalssud say o’ the“An’ muckle that wasfairmers.” Dawvid’s brawfowk—I wuss ’im luck o’ sic breid,mainnerly Eliza,” company—Han’ said Mrs. Birse. up the kyaak basket wi’ the short- Birse;“They’re “and ifstupid Jonathan and Tawseignorant were people,” accustomed observed to goodMiss company,“ Na—nae he wudna mair, awask thank them ye,”till’s quothhoose.” Meg. “ I’ve deen byousthird cup weel. sudna I’ll be jist the drinkwarst, ootye kenmy ; drapan’ awat at leasure.ye’ve gi’en’s The ’t richtMeg gweed.” Raffan paused ; and, with the facts as they actually thewere, significance Mrs. Birse of was the too last shrewd remark. a woman not to comprehend na—nae“ Noo, the Mrs. fu’ o’Birse, that yegryte wull muckle not pit gless fusky ; yein amwull o’ mak’my tae me ; licht-heiditIt was evidently gin ever aworth body doing, was’t.” however; and, truth to say, ingMeg of Raffan the glass offered into no her very cup. strenuous Neither resistance did the to emptying the empty- of dreaded.the cup itself Meg seem only to got produce more talkative, very much and of went the effecton to describeshe had fullythat hadhow been she hadtransacted “pumped” at Jonathan out of Mrs. Tawse’s Dawvid party Hadden concern- all ingthat which in addition Dawvid to hadPyketillim been so people,mightily there uplifted. had beenIt appeared present Jonathan’ssettled “ doon friend, throu’,” the so younger as to be Dr. beyond Drogemweal, the limits whoof his had fa ther’scompany “sucken;” the entire and list thatof those Dawvid who had beenenumerated present toat thathe Smiddywardanalysis of each meeting, individual’s the result character thus far and being position. a sort of Johnnycritical asGibb, hopeless the smith, incorrigibles, and the compoundedsouter, had beenin pretty classed nearly together equal partsdent toof saythe littlefanatic more and about the radical; them. Sandyand it wasPeterkin deemed was pru- de- elevation,nounced veryhad severely;freely avowed and hisit seemed intention, that and Dawvid, even boasted in his Il8 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. notof the less power was Dawvidhe possessed, incensed to “at sort that him, “ fair-tongue’t at ony rate.” howffin, And confessedHairry Muggart,” he had beenby whom fairly the led zealous on the ground-officerice, and'on whom all but he declaredcome nearer his home.intention to be revenged. And then they had warl’s“ Noo, gear; Mrs. but Birse, aw’m aw seer wudna she’ll tell’t never to ken my that nain it sistercam’ faefor nextme;” toward and Meg her mother,looked inquiringlyas much as towardto say, “WouldMiss Birse, it not and be wise“ toEliza’s remove been her taucht at any breedin’ rate ?” owre weel to cairry clypes,” said“ Mrs.Eh, forbid’tBirse, a littleI sud haughtily. mint at onything o’ the kin’, Mrs. —weelBirse. theShe mair wudna shame be yourto them dother that to suddee speakonything aifter like sic that a fashion.o’ Clinkstyle ‘ An’ ?’ hedsays theyI to naethingKirsty, in to asay careless-like aboot the mainner.goodwife gar’t‘ Weel, my Meggy,’ vera flesh says creep she, speakin’fan she anethpat up ’er ’er breath—an’han’ like a dis-she trackitshe, ‘ but person—‘I Dawvid wudken fellI canme ginlippen he thocht’tonything I towar you,’ to apensays myto Dawvid, lips aboot “ Weel, it to Davie,my nain fat mither—Maister are ye to dee wi’ Tawse that randysud say o’ trowth’ta wife o’ aw’m Clinkstyle?”’—noo, tellin’ ye. Eh, Mrs.he’s Birsea haiveless it’s aman; Gweed’s nae won’erfae’s skweel.” nor ye was obleeg’t to tak’ yer innocent bairns awa’ “ I wud“Mamma,” gar papa exclaimed prosecute Misshim.” Birse, in great excitement, the “kitchie,” ’Liza, gae said an’ Mrs.see that Birse, Betty’s addressing nae mislippenin’ her daughter ’er jots with i’ luctance,unwonted obeyed,peremptoriness. so far, at anyMiss rate, Birse, as withto leave very the evident parlour; re- thatand creaturher mother wud continued,say; but fowk “ I’m maun nae hae su’pris’t regaird at foronything’t the edi- taul’sfication weel-a-wat; an’ richt upfeshin an’ I cudna o’ their lat affspring,the lassie as sit Mr. an’ Macroryhear ’er nain“ ‘pawrents Oh,’ says wilipen’it Dawvid, wi’‘ aw’m the like thinkin’ o”im. nedder Weel you ?” nor Mr. ISleekaboot ’se lat sleepin’ made tykesyer plack lie there.’ a bawbee An’ by trow tiggin ye me,wi’ her. Dawvid So smatchetthocht he thathed gi’enhe is. them An’ a Maistergey clever Tawse cut wi’ sud that—impident ’a said some MEG RAFFAN, THE HENWIFE. Iig rael roch words, rebattin on ’im like. Eh, but aw cudna come“ Farowre be’t them, fae Mrs.me to Birse, hear ontheir nae coorse accoont.” langige,” said Mrs. theyBirse, are.” “ but it’s richt that fowk sud ken fat kin’ o’ characters tion“ ’t. Deed, ‘ Weel/ awat saysthat’s they, richt ‘ an’true; fat forcomes as sair’s o’ a’ ityour is to blawin men- abootDawvid, fat ‘Peterye cud ’imsel”s dee’t nae a saft ither breet; man he cud made dee oot?’ to‘ Oh,’ win saysfree o’neist the meetin’ meetin’ comes, by feingyin gin I dinnaa drow. mak’ Jist oot bide to fesh ye still,back’s fan drow the desttill ’im hyse’t as ill’s cud ever.’be. Tawse An’ wi’an’ thatthis youngthey hed docter—he haud’n thewas sad- aye aan’ weirdless swall’t theblackguard—i’ creatur’s heid, the till lang he rin was o’’t, as madeprood’s o’ Dawvid,oor aul' heturkey cud cock,and sud an’ dee.blawin An’ at I’mthe rateseer, o’ fae nae fat allooance I gat oot abooto’ Kirsty„ fat kirkthat theywark’s hed they eiket cud.” ’im up till as muckle mischief aboot this grave“ I self-satisfaction.dinna doot that neen,”“ An’ fatsaid ither Mrs. cud Birse, we expeckwith an fae air sicof creatura weirdless ?” mengyie makin’ a teel o’ an oonprencipl’t drucken “Hooever,“ Eh, he’s that’s a coorsethe rinnin’s ill-gate’t o’ theablach,” haill affair;continued an’ aw’mMeg. thoughseer I cudna I was hed jist a richt licht sairconscience owrecome to keepere I itcud oot mak’o’ yer up sicht, my min’Here aboot Meg tellin’ Raffan ye’t.” exhibited outward tokens of “owre- remedycomeness,” and for applied which, it.happily, And Mrs.on the Birse, whole knew she the concluded practical paidthat herby the trouble henwife’s as the visit. entertainer The glimpse had been of Jonathantolerably Tawse’swell re- party,of Dawvid and theHadden’s sort of position estimate in she relation had been to matters enabled polemical to form haddoubt put of herbeing in ablepossession to use withof information good effect whichafterwards she did not CHAPTEE XX. MRS. BIRSE AND HER OWN. ^WT was a fact incapable, I fear, of being successfully dis- ci) puted, that Peter Birse, senior, had never profited as he yearsought byby herthe accomplishedexhortations ofdaughter, his wife, Miss ably Eliza seconded Birse, of in latere- takingspect to care the tonecessity be select of in cultivating the choice the of virtuehis company. of gentility; At andany rate,tainly had not havePeter given been Mrs. sufficiently Birse the perspicacious too candid narrative he would he cer-did accompaniedof his ongoings by at his Lowrin promising Fair. elder Peter son. had He gone had tofirst the visited Fair, severalthe “nowt stirks; market” then heat hadthe topcome of downthe brae, to the and “fit cheapened market,” and whereasperambulated he wanted the same a bandster from Barreldykes .for the harvest, to the heCross; and hagglePeter, junior,with an had, ancient-looking after due selection, man, in threadbareset on to blue,a regular with astuff green hat, headsignifying of oat-straw that he wasstuck a withincandidate the forband harvest of/his work. old Andtwo shillingsby-and-by and he sixpencehad engaged of fee, the and ancient given manhim afor penny thirty- of hearles. would, This of done,course, Peter have had a look no otherat the business horse market, on hand; before but heopportunity would go of home, increasing were hisit onlyknowledge to give of Peter, the equine junior, ra.ce, the and of those who traffic therein. It was then that Peter Birse metof somewhat Dawvid Hadden,close and with confidential whom he intimacy; had long andbeen that on termsDaw- theyvid being two resolvedin an uncommonly to be social genial together, and hospitablewhile Peter humour Birse, junior,and went forgathered off to see withlife for certain a little young in “ themen thick of his* of own men age,and animals.But why should Peter Birse, senior, be so very soft as to tell out bluntly to his wife, on the morning after the market. MRS. BIRSE AND HER OWN. howcanvas Dawvid erection Hadden by the roadside,and he went with awaythe signboard, together into that FromBy GLENS DONALD OF FOUDLANDM'GILL, ; mutchkinhow Dawvid here, should lassie,” have than nothey sooner discovered called Mains out, of“A Yawal, half- forthwithand one orbeckoned two acquaintances Mains over toin bear a corner; them company, and how which they affablyMains, did.who wasIt was settled all very down proper in the and tent necessary for the to afternoon, tell Mrs. marketBirse, as and he wasthe termsin duty of bound, the engagement about the charactermade with of the ownbandster; movements but why thereafter not keep ? toOf safecourse, generalities Peter Birse about wanted his ingsto bring delivered out with by impressiveDawvid Hadden, effect thein presence gist of certain of Mains, warn- as divisiveaforesaid, courses for behoof in kirk of allaffairs who atwere that in juncture;danger of but,following poor toman, prevent he did hisnot havingperceive the that slightest he was takingchance the of verya respectful method hearing.“ Man, aw div won’er to hear ye speak o’ takin’ drams fae the “like Hoot, o’ that ’oman, creatur ye wudna !” hed me to pay’t mysel’, wud ye ?” said“ Peter.Peter Birse; will ye ever leern to conduck yersel’ as onyyersel’, weel-menner’t ye mith hae person some forwud yer ? faimily,Gin ye peerhae naethings.” regaird for wildered“ I wusna way. deein nae ill, I’m seer,” replied Peter, in a be- tent,“ wi’Nae a ill! leein’, gaen ill-win’et awa’ sittin’ creatur doon like drinkin’ that, an’in a ahovel drucken o’ a risin’slype generation;like Mains o’an’ Yawal. your ainA sonbonny tee—Faur example’t was yePatie set toa’ the time’t“ Peter ye was ? Oublebbin weel, an’he drinkin’mitha been at this wi’ ’srate an’ ?” he hed like’t, begoodbut he gaed to speak.” atf up the horse market fanever Dawvid an’ me “ Mitha been wi’ ye! A fine wye o’ deein, leernin ony feckyoung o’ creaturthe aifterneen sic drucken ?” haibits!—An’ ye sat still there the mutchkin“ Ou, na, ’t Dawvidwe satna got, nae an’ time. the boddomThere was o’ aonly gill’t the Mains half- 122 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. feish owre in’s han’ i’ the stoup. I wudna lat ’im ca’ nae mair,“ Humph; though he an’ threepit ye never owre luikit an’ owre again’tyer shooder he wud for dee’t.”Peter, creatur.”to fesh him hame wi’ ye, but cam awa’ wi’ this low-life’t jink,“ Oh,weel-leern’t ’oman, dinnabody; speak we’ve that been gate. obleeg’t Dawvid’s till’im a raelmony per- a poo’ertime, an’fae maythe laird; be’t Iagain; ’se asseer an’ ye.”he has a gweed hantle o’ grun-offisher“ Haud yerglaid tongue, to gae Peter aboot Birse an’ tell ! Poo’erfowk fan or tothan pay no—a their hensto dee. to theThat’s laird his ; the poo’er; thing an’ that he themak’s vera ’imsel’ flunkey a muckle wud scorn man ithermeddlin’ nicht wi’ fae the this henwife’s an’ the wark; neist an’orra syne company cornin’ ashame fou’s ilka a piper.”“ Weel, I never saw the man hae drink upon ’im, an’ aw’m seer“ heDinna was freelyye tell sober me; o’the the tae market corbie nicht.” winna pyke oot the eventither’s fire, e’e. there’s Fan rizzons fowk comesfor’t. hameFat kin’ wi’ o’ a a face pawrent’s like a hertHallow- can yethem’t’s hae, to sibbestcome oott’ ye o’ toa marketbe pran’t, wi’ or the ill-guidet like o’ him,ony gatean’ leave ?” come“ Keep owre me,him ’oman,?” Peter’s nae a littleane noo ; fat wud till “a Ay,fader’s ye mayduty, speer ye wudna that noo. hed naeGin sic ye questionshed been toatten’in’ speer. ginI suppose that time yer tofreen get washim needin’ hame.” a’ the help that ye cud gi’e ’im market“Forbye for naar that, an Dawvid ’oor luikin’ an’ me for ca’dPeter—I’se up an’ doon warran’ the hefit hedna“ An’ been little seekin’ won’er; to comenae grytehame heartninwi’ ’s.” till ’im, peer man, to see’sNow, nain this fader last takin’remark up of wi’ Mrs. sic company.”Birse was scarcely fair. Birse,For she senior, very at well that knew moment, what, did she not wasknow, fully namely, aware, that Peter his evening,eldest son, not Peter only Birse, at a junior, late hour, had come but, homefurthermore, on the previous with a brokenwas unobtrusively nose; which, slipping on being away caughtto bed withoutby his showingmother ashim- he causedself in bythe “parlour, something he fleeinaccounted up an’ for strikin’’s by saying face it ” hadas he been left the market. The rational theory on the subject was, that MRS. BIRSE AND HER OWN. 123 gallantPeter had and got amatory into a dispositionsquarrel more will or sometimesless, as young do onmen such of ingoccasions, on his andcountenance. that he bore A thevery marks few particularsof his chivalrous in support dar- fondof this mother, theory were,when withshe haddifficulty, returned extracted a second from time him toby thehis beingcharge; evident whereupon that Peter her reflectionshad got into took a vulgarthis shape:—that, fight with two it whomor three Peter farm-servant had desired, lads, but and had all not about been a farm-servantpermitted, to girlac- companywith charge to herherself home, even it wasmore also directly evident than that hitherto, she must with forth- the intentions.duty of developing In her andmaternal directing solicitude the young she hadman’s not matrimonial overlooked thatthis partthe littleof her scheme duty, andof affection had, indeed, she had been endeavoured fondly hoping to promoteown son, betweenPeter, had Mrs. been Gibb’s giadually niece, ripeningMary Howie, all this and while. her Buther. the facts that had now partly emerged rather staggered frequency,Mrs. Birse turning thought it in onher the mind subject first infor one days, shape, with then much in another.stubbornly If refused she had to known tell—and, who indeed,the girl generallywas, but thisremained Peter carriedin a sulky her statethe length of mind—her of seeking feelings the damsel would outcertainly on set havepur- posewhich, to inupbraid such aand sphere snub ofher life, for could the audacious allow itself impertinence to be the objectfarmer’s of son. admiration Then would on the her part thoughts of a wealthyrevert, with and agenteel sort ot angryhis vulgarities; feeling, to and Peter I fearBirse, she senior, sometimes as she audibly remembered hinted allat hisslunk baleful silently responsibility away to escape in this the wholeheinous matter; imputation. and PeterTo- wardsmony orPeter heat Birse, in them. junior, The her notionfeelings of had evil nothingexisting of in acri- her excellentevitable inheritanceson, otherwise from than his that father, it might had havenot, income the byleast, in- enteredThe hergeneral head. result How of thesethen couldLowrin she Fair be transactionsangry with him then, ? herwas, son. first, toThat leave dubiety, Mrs. Birse however, in a shestate had of somemade dubiety up her aboutmind plicitnessshould be onremoved the part before of Peter, long. junior, Only was a littleneeded more to enableof ex- 124 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. andher toshe institute knew a whatever little time proceedings was required the tocase allow might the demand; amiable hadyoung so manfar relaxed,to get over she hisknew present it would sullen require mood. only When a little he “So tycein she would ” to induce bide herhim time. to pour Then, forth inall so that far was as herin hishusband heart. causewas concerned, for putting she her had ban got, on as anyshe furtherbelieved, intercourse most righteous of a had,friendly as henature imagined, between been him working and Dawvidup to the Hadden. point when Peter he authoritycould, with to telling impose practical a check effect, on the bring headlong in Dawvid course Hadden’s his wife hisseemed hopes determined were blasted on atfollowing once and in conclusively;kirk matters. for,But, slow lo, the“ i’ therecent uptak morning’s ” as Peter overhaul, was, he couldthe quotationnot but feel of that,Dawvid’s after thanname useless. in support Poor of hisPeter; position his state must of be mind a good was dealfar from worse a tocomfortable his perplexities one. Howand willinglyregrets to would Mains he ofhave Yawal, given to ventMr. sympathiseSleekaboot, ineven his to sentiments, Jonathan Tawse,and concurrently or anybody deplore who could with him what was likely to happen if things went on in the direc- tionBut inthen which the histhought non-intrusion that Mrs. neighbours Birse might were find driving it all them. out, troubledhaunted mindhim, andby turning he could to his only own obtain servant a Tamsolace Meerison, for his closingnow a staidto Tam married the burdened man, and, state as of opportunity his feelings. offered, dis- CHAPTER XXL patie’s plush waistcoat. Aijf'HEClinkstyle uniform manifestedand deep ininterest the welfare which of herMrs. family Birse was of withclearly those seen causes in her thatanxious had desireled to toher reach eldest a fullson, acquaintance Peter, com- ingconsiderably home from soured Lowrin in Fairspirit; slightly and not damaged less so in in person, the course and andshe adoptedinducing with him a to view go onto settingin the paththe young chalked man out up for again, him bya view maternal to stimulate wisdom inand Peter solicitude. that sentiment In the firstof grateful place, con-with troublesfidence whichthat had was been likely weighing to lead on to his a fullspirit, disclosure she resolved of the to date,surprise plush him waistcoats with a very were handsomean object present.of strong Aboutdesire withthat coats,many double-breasted,young men of Peter’s and with years many and pearl tastes buttons : plush on waist-them. tions,Such abut waistcoat one of redof blueplush plush fairly was outdid a garment it, and of put high its attrac-owner doubtin a position in Mrs. of Birse’s singular mind distinction. whether aThere plush was vest just was a tolittle be butreckoned then itgenteel. was well Miss enough Birse understood had pronounced that the it heartvulgar; of clothing,Peter Birse, and junior, it was was not set to uponbe expected having thatthat veryPeter article should of thechange contrary his mind effect forwas anything certain to his be sister produced. might Therefore,say; indeed, to agratify virtue his of necessity—notwish now was veryto speak much of inthe the object nature to beof makingdirectly attained in so doing. Mrs. Birse went to the Kirktown, and ascertainedof apprentice through to Andrew Jock Langchafts,Will, now promoted that the tomerchan’ the dignity had oncussed his shelvesinto selling a piece on veryof red reasonable plush, which terms, he inasmuchmight be ascon- it beyondhad proved the markhitherto of theto beordinary dead stock,beaux beingof Pyketillim. an article quite 126 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. “ The merchan’ ’s nae in, is he, laddie ?” asked Mrs. Birse, turning“ No, over nae theeenoo,” pieces was of Jock’splush onreply. the counter. “ ButI heard ye say ’im thesayin’ reid that.” bit’s never been price’t ?” “ Weel, aw dinna won’er at it—lyin’ tooshtin aboot there yairdtill it’s an’ fooshtit a finger-length and half ate’nthan, wi’an’ thegi’e mochs. me a dizzenCut o’ye pearlaff a butbuttons, ye are an’ a we braw ’ll sattle man abootnoo,” thecontinued price wi’ Mrs. ’imseF. Birse, Na, as Jock,Jock wentless nor on cairryinto fulfil aher shears orders i’ yer in awaistcoat business-like pouch style. already; “ Nae aw wudnaJock won’er laughed to hissee yeown wi’ quiet a chop laugh, o’ yer and nain went yet.” on with his work.The announcement of the red plush vest had a highly withsalutary a suddenness effect upon that Peter made Birse, the muscles junior. ofHe his nowface feelrelaxed the thawseverity almost of his uncomfortably; countenance shouldhe would have have disappeared desired that more the him—hisgradually, motherbut the had sight taken of thecare red to plushbring thewas unmadetoo much piece for homeIt waswith inthe the pearl parlour, buttons and to theydisplay two them were beforealone hisby them-eyes. selves.“ Noo, Patie, man,” said Mrs. Birse, with affecting em- Ebasis;er heid “ war fa ’ll caul dee i’as the muckle mools, for aw ye doot as yer there’s nain fyoumither wud ? luikGin aifterMrs. ye Birseas she endeavoured wud dee.” to look pathetic. Peter certainly abledid look to distract sheepish his for eye some and minutes—and, his consciousness in so from far as the he piece was motherof red plush,had said, he aslet he his blurted thoughts out—“ dwell Hoot, next fat’s on thewhat eese his o’ Andspeakin’ then that Peter gate—I’m became confidential, sure I’m nae and afen informed on an his ill mother teen.” howHowie, failing he had to findgone his to attentionsLowrin Fair duly in areciprocated somewhat desperateby Mary tionmood had ; how, seized at anhim advanced to exhibit period his ofgallantry the fair, independently,the determina- acquaintanceby walking home ; so withPeter asaid, servant the truthgirl who being was that a merethe girl casual was peneda former to servanthave another of Mrs. beau, Birse’s certain own ;little and unpleasantnesseshow as she hap- patie’s plush waistcoat. [27 haddamage occurred, he had and sustained, Peter in writhed addition greatly to the under slight the amount idea that of he had“ Ay been weel, laughed weel, Patie, at, a sortman:—that’s of ordeal hejist greatly a bit disliked.lesson to houseye,” said tone. Mrs. “ Them’tBirse, who sets had to coortinnow dismissed the lasses her maun charnel- tem- per “their I wasna nose wuntin to the easther /”win’ quoth as weel’s Peter, thebluntly. south.” shooder“Na, at I’m nae richt servan’ weel quine. seer’t But,ye wud my laddie,never min’luik yeowre ’re naeyer toher be heid bauch a bit and cast chucken-heartit files at the first. though That’s Mary nae Howie mark; sudgi’e she mayMary’s be grownrael prood a strappin, to be name’tweel-faur’t to ye. lass An’: an’ min’though ye thatshe hisna“ Hah! the menners I dinna nor care edication a tinkler’s o’ yer curse sister—” for menners,” ex- claimed“ An’ Peter,she’s candidly,a richt servan’,” “ gin aw continuedcud get ’er.” his mamma, not heedingye wud bethe seer interruption; to get the “muckle an’ fan feck the o’aul’ fat fowk they wearshae gin awa’ ye freensplay’d o’’syer nain.cairts theAn’ richtye mith gate—for aiven, in Gushets coorse o’ has naitur, nae comenear in toheart Gushetneuk kin’ly grun’ie.” itsel’, tee. It’s a likeable spot, an’ richt weel to get“ But oor fat ain wud toon aw ; amnindee wi’ aw Gushetneuk ?” ? Aw thocht I was brawly.“ Seerly; Though but hear fowk me grows oot. aul’Ye cudin coorsemanage o’ baithtime, pairtsyour faderintil anither an’ me place,maun an’hae Benjie some at’sgate buzness, to bide. weAn’ cud wi’ live Robbie there chimleyfine; awat bigget; it’s aonly richt there’s gweed little hoose, eese gin o’ thatit hed as butlang’s a back the likeaboot o’ at’s Mr. leasure an’ Mrs. on aGibb placie has’t. like Gushetneuk—heYour fader cud wud track be foraye baithworth’s places.” breid—an’ lat you tak’ chairge an’ mak’ market brightening“ Weel, thatup at wud the brilliantdee fine,” prospect said Peter thus openedBirse, junior,up to him.dinna kenHis gincountenance she cares for’sfell, however,ava.” as he added, “ But I “ Care for ye ? Fat wud pit that style i’ yer heid ?” Fair,“Weel, an’ fuish at onytill ’er”—rate, ye ken, I bocht sweeties at St. Saar’s “Weel, an’ didna she tak’ them ?” 128 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. “ Ou ay, but I’m maist sure’t she hed tauP Jock Wull, fornicht.” they war lauchin at’s aboot the chop, upo’ Saiterday’s need“ Latit. themFat’s lauch he—the that sinwins, o’ Peter,a peer man. nace nyaukitJock Wull beggar wud tocreatur, bless ’t’ersel’ hisna wi’! passin’ Set a himseV gweed upbarrow wi’ the load like o’ o’ wardle’s you, though gear yescunner. warna myBut son!never Theye min’ impidence Jock Wull; o’ creaturs an’ he gaeis a farperfect that littleroad maitter,they ’ll seen weel-a-wat.—Gin get their sairin I hado’ him, bit kentan’ ’s that mither afore tee I gaed; an’ to the“ But chop, he gaesno !” hameadded wi’ Mrs. ’er monyBirse, ain time; a subdued an’ fan key. I try’t to getfun hero’’s toa filecome an’ hame syne, wi’ aifter me faeaw thethocht Ward she at wud Yeel, dee’t, she madegaed aff wi’“ ‘ FantauP marriet hert never fowk.” wan fair dame,’ Peter,” said Mrs. Birse, with a half scornful laugh. “ That’s been the gate wi’ warmair willin’. nor Mary Mony Howie, was theas ‘putyer nainan’ row’ fader wi’ cud him tell, ere hean’ gathe youngmuckle man audiscence, o’ a braw I fairmcan tell than, ye. heBut made though*^ it oot at wusna the lang the length,“ Weel, by dent but gino’ patience she like an’ Jock perseverance.” Wull better,” argued Peter, uponsibly whomthat the the image “green-eyed of his, asmonster” he believed, was operating more successful so sen- rival,“ Gaewould ’aw’ not wi’ leave ye ! ” hisexclaimed mind. his mother, with some im- patience.orra choppie, “Fear’t an’ you at asJock weel Wull, plenish’t an apprentice a fairmer’s loon sin asin therea bit littleis P thespunk.” pairis’.—For shame to ye, Peter, man, ’t ye hae so asked“Cudna the gallant ye fesh’t youth. aboot nae wye to Mrs. Gibb than?” suggestion,Mrs. Birse, and afteragreed a moment’sto do her reflection,best with bothassented Johnny to andthis monialMrs. Gibb, campaign. to pave theMeanwhile, way more she directly further forexhorted Peter’s Peter matri- to pursue the same resolutely on his own account. CHAP TEE XXII. MAINLY POLEMICAL. fO Johnny Gibb, the summer of 1842 was a season of un- waxingusual hotter mental and hotter, activity. and Thea crisis, great in Kirk some controversy shape, seemed was certainthe settlement at no distant of a minister date. Thein a springStrathbogie of that parish, year had in anti-seen cipationoccurred ofat which Culsalmond, it had been actually deemed to haveprudent, a company after what of hadsol- dierssettlement conveyed took fromplace Aberdeen quietly enough, to the neighbourhood.but the fact that Thethe moderatismmilitant fashion of the could Church not fail had to indicatedarouse still its more temper deeply in thisthe belligerentdeclared that element things in acould nature not like stop that shortof Johnny of a Gibb. rebellion, He whichThen, atwould the putGeneral that Assembly,of the “Forty-five” the deposed in ministers the shade. of ownStrathbogie number bothwhom presented they chose commissions to send up, andfor thosealso offered of their at dictthe baragainst of that those right of reverend the minority house of a theirCourt brethren of Session from inter- the accordingPresbytery, to who the hadAssembly’s been elected own previous commissioners, decision, and were who, the onlyof this true had representatives travelled north of tothe Gushetneuk,Presbytery. throughWhen thethe news me- dium,Aberdeen in thenewspaper, latter part which of itsJohnny journey, Gibb, of notwithstandinga steady-going thatto peruse its opinions with regularity,differed toto Johnny ccelo fromhastened his own, down continued in the gloaminsome conversation to Smiddyward with theto relievesouter andhis overwroughtthe smith. mind by earth“ I opentell ye an’fat itswallow is,” said up Johnny, a batch “ they o’ themwinna likehalt Korah,till the Dathan,“ Nae an’ doot Abiram.” we’re cornin’ upo’ times o’ trial,” answered the 130 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. souter, “but it chaets me sair gin a’ this heemlin creengin i tosaplin’ the toCoort grow o’ theSession stick binnathat ’ll jistbrak i’ theirthe wye nain o’ heids plantin’ some a day“ yet.” That means’t punishment winna owretak’ the Moderates thein a smith. han’-clap, “ But as haeit cam’the Stra’bogie upo’ Korah Moderates an’ ’s company,” actually been said ;j papersalloo’t to?” tak’ their seats i’ the Assembly, you that’s seen the come“ Na, to that man: yet,” I hinna said Johnny.wull o”t. “ ButIll that nae we fyour are nor we’re eighty- nae theirfive votit enterdick for them, to keep an’ oot twa Maister hunner Dewar, an’ fifteen Maister against; Leith, an’ thisan’ seventy-threeMawjor Stewart, votes the to rowlinseventy-sax.” el’er was cas’n by a hunner backgrun,“Gweed ye fair see.” majorities that, Gushets ; they ’re sair i’ the amo’“Ay, them but ken luik so little at ooraboot parliamenters, richt prenciples the in heid kirk matters.deesters ; Thisither thing;Graham’s an’ naeLord sair Aiberdeen’s to ride the bit water milk-and-water on wi’ that schaimenor nae ! j ’s far“Jist fae thelike richt ither thing.” half-an’-half mizzours,” said the souter. i God“ It ’ll an’ dee mammon, mair ill nor aiven gweed wi’ ai’ bullthe langoot rin.o’ Parliament. Ye canna serveBut | naeye’re that cornin’ there’s unco a campnear’t o’ there, Moderates Gushets. to conten’The fattal against: thing’s lat j likethem cauff stan afore upo’ thetheir win’; nain butshee dinna soles, ye an’ see they that wud they be ’re scatter’! playin’ j, owreinto the ax’en ban’s but o’little a set o’ o’the men fear that o’ Gweed hae poo’er afore o’ their their een side, ?” an’ “An’“ The theGovernment, Coort o’ Session,” ye mean added ?” said Johnny. the smith. “ Ay,”True, continued true,” interposed the souter, Johnny “an’ Gibb, the pawtrons.” “ the thing’s rotten, reet“ an’Nae crap.” doot o’ that; but luik at this,” and the souter took | up a newspaper containing a report of the General Assembly, j whichtronage—‘ he had Mr. carefully Cunningham conned. moved “ Here’s that the the Assembly debate on resolve paw- | withand declaremuch injury that patronage to the cause is a of grievance, true religion has inbeen the attended Church I theand Churchkingdom, is isat the present main involved,cause of theand difficultiesthat it ought in whichto be MAINLY POLEMICAL. 131 anabolishedthat extensive lan’it was proprietor sec-ondit i’ theby aneBorder Mr. coontyBuchan o’ o’Berwick- Kelloe, backspeakshire, Mr. Macrory a motion taul’ like me. that Foonoo ?”cud ony richt-thinkin’ man Maister“ I daursay Sleekaboot Gushets raither winna differs dee’t, aboot but theaw benefitsb’lieve him o’ paw- an’ tronage,”_ “ I see saidbrawly the fat smith, ye ’re with lattin a at,”sly twinkleanswered in Johnny.his eye. “ An’ wudnae thanks’a never to gotten Maister a kirk Sleekaboot ava baud toawa’ fawvour fae’t. pawtronage,But I ’se gae ’t ill-less,nae farrer gweed-less nor ’imsel’ creatur, for preef ye may o’ the tell evils me, o’but that nae system mair fit ; anto synebe minaister fat d’ ye o’ mak’ a pairis’ o’ sic nor ootrages a blin’ asman Marnoch is to herd an’ sheep.Culsalmon’, An’ to keep“ Weel, near takin’ han’ a’hame that’s ?” come an’ gane intill accoont, fat forty-seyvensud actually happenmembers noo, o’ Assemblybut that naesud lessvote noragainst a hunner Mr. Cun- an’ ningham’stheir warst motion—an’against it ?” somesaid the nae souter. far fae oor ain quarter spak’ “ OuIt was ay, cairriet by a sma’ though majority ?” queried : twa thehunner smith. an’ fifteen votit themfor’t. that’sBut see but sic owre a han’le weel-will’t as that to state be o’lords maitters owre gi’esGod’s to kirkspiritual wants heritage, pawtronage.’ fan they Butcan thesay, rowle ‘ Oh obteensthe tae throu’half o’ a’— the f whatsoever a man soweth, that also shall he reap.’ An’ tak’ beye mya bane word that for’t, ’ll stick the dayi’ the ’ll thrapplecome yet o’ that the thisModerate pawtronage pairty ’llo’ thesweep Kirk it cleano’ Scotian’, aff the seein’ face o’that the theylan’, hed but itrefees’t in their to len’poo’er their to assistance.better things An’micht it’s hae waefu’ been to expeckitsee the num’ero’ takin’ o’ thatmen time- that sairinoor freen coorse. sae afenTo them,quotit:— also, may the words be appliet that TheNor sons other of Ephraim,arms did lackwho ;nor bows WhenThey as faintly the day turned of battle back. was. Hooever,Her ‘ Claim the o’ Kirk’s Rights,’ coorse mov’t has by Dr.been Chalmers, made perfectly an’ sec-ondit clear. byto aDr. hunner Gordon, an’ ten;’s been an’ wecairriet ’ll see by ane twa o’ hunnertwa things—the an’ forty-one true 132 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. manses,Kirk o’ Scotian’kirks, an’ restart stipen’s till for her the richtfu’sake o’ herclaims, spiritual or leavin’ liberties.” her “ Ye“ It’snever a perfeckspak’ mair trowth, to the souter pint !”i’ exclaimedyer life. ThereJohnny ’ll Gibb.be a winnowin’When Johnnyo’ the cauff Gibb fae took the hiscom yearly yet, wi’ journey a vengeance.” to the Wells atSaunders, Macduff, at heMarnoch, could notwho fail gave to himvisit a hisspirit-stirring friend, Maister nar- rativethrough; of how how the they miniature had worshipped Disruption in there a quarry had beenfor a carried time ; howGibb’s about visit twelve they hadmonths commenced previous toto buildthe date a church of Johnny and manse,scriptions to hadcost, cometogether, to wellthem onfrom to £2000;east and and west, how fromsub- muchnorth thatand theysouth, had some a goodly even surplus,from across which the they Atlantic, had trusted inso- to invest as a partial endowment for their minister, who was nowSaunders about were to be quite inducted. clear—that On one there point must Johnny now beand a Maistersepara- tionintrusion, of the or wheat rather from the theevangelical chaff; that from is tothe say, moderate of the non-ele- ment.Kirk throughout Johnny returned,would be indeed,rent in two,fully even of opinionafter the thatmanner the ofscale. that which“ Lat ithe come,” had now said seen Johnny; with his“ onything own eyes to on roose a small the coursecountra Johnny fae the spoke caul’ strongly; morality buto’ a in deid that moderatism.”particular he wasOf notEven singular; able editors strong on languagethe side wasto which common he was on opposed,both sides. as partyJohnny in heardwhom and he believedread, designated by such the choice leaders designations and clerical as men,”“ Edinburgh “ agitators,” popes,” “ reckless“ Candlish disturbers & Co.,” of“ highflyers,” the peace of“ wild the alityChurch,” ” the andaddresses so on of; and the infathers point ofand warmth brethren and when “ person- they relishedmet were anything at times in rather that vein. well worthAt the hearing meeting by of thosethe Synod who theof Aberdeen, upper hand—they in October carried of this their year, candidate the moderate for the party modera- had torshipSimpson, (Mr. Trinity Watt, Church, Foveran) Aberdeen, by 79 proposedvotes to by58 thefor otherMr. side; and also, after a fair amount of rather pointed talk, ministerscarried a resolutionof the Garioch to admit Presbytery, to the sittings suspended of the for Synodtheir part the MAINLY POLEMICAL. 133 in the Culsalmond business. In a subsequent discussion, one rev.deratism brother had observed been thrown that “theover allblighting their institutions;influence of mo-and andeven universitiesits corrupting rendering hand had them been rather thrown the over schools their collegesof hell gestedthan of whether heavenwhereupon the speaker’s twowords other should rev. brethrennot be taken sug- down,rather thoughtwith a viewit might to ulterior“ be better proceedings, to hear them while with a silentthird contempt” CHAPTER XXIII. JONATHAN TAWSE AND DAWVID HADDEN. yC&'&ITH the November “ Convocation ” of 1842, the fer- ment within the Kirk of Scotland reached about as Whilegreat a on pitch the ofone intensity hand the as resultsit was possibleof the gathering for it to ofattain. over held400 ministersto give great of theencouragement evangelical sectionto the non-intrusion in Edinburgh party, was wasit was near predicted an end, andon the the othertriumph “ that of moderatism the reign of and fanaticism rational religionto be held at herehand.” and Inthere a few in weeksthe interest thereafter of the meetings non-intrusion began ceivingparty, for it, theinformation purpose of“on giving the present all who state were of desirous the Church of re- andpapers affording declaring to thetheir people adherence the opportunity to the resolutions of subscribing of the whereConvocation. the ministers The attempt leant to tothe hold moderate such meetings side was indenounced parishes wasin language only re-echoing more vehement in a strictly than literal polite. way whatJonathan he had readTawse in itvery as legible“ a dirty print and in adisgusting Tory newspaper, ” proceeding. when he“ characterised But,” added comeJonathan, this length.”“the fanatics winna try that here—they’ll never asked“ Cudna Mains they o’ Yawal, be ta’en to anwhom order Jonathan o’ gin they had waraddressed to dee’t the ?” foregoingafternoon, remark, after counting as they thewalked bawbees. amicably home, one Sunday against“Naedoot baith ecclesiastical o”t,” answered an’ statute Jonathan law.” promptly. “It’s “ An’That wud depen’s it be ao’ finethe orform jilein o’ thantrial—there ?” micht be dis- cipline, inferrin’ censure, an’ deprivation o’ status an’ pri- vileges“ An’ ; orfilk a o’process them wudi’ the be ceevil warst coorts.” likein ?” inquired Mains, Jonathan’swho was anxious learned todeliverance. be informed, but rather bewildered by JONATHAN TAWSE AND DAWVID HADDEN. 135 - purse;“ Ou, a that’sbit canny jist asjoukin ye set to maistlat the store jaw o’ gaeyer prideowre’s or naeyer addedthrown Jonathan,awa’ wi’ presbyterieswith a slight eeswally; tinge of nor bitterness, heritors either,”as he thatthought class. how scantly his own merits had been appreciated by “’t peaceable“ Weel, aw fowk dinna canna ken :be it’s latt’n an uncoaleen. time,” I kenna said fatMains, they wudsome hae;o’ that there’s Edinboro’ been fowk,nae ane an’ meddlin’noo they’re wi’ thebegun kirk aboot cep AiberdeenThe truth tee, was they that say.” Mains had suffered one or two assaults was,from ofJohnny course, Gibb needful on thisto besubject; able towhen, give beinga reason an elder,for the it faithto do thatso, but was while in him. Mains’s There zeal was in no defence want ofof will “ rational on his partreli- notgion correspondingly ” had been growing, increased, his stock so that of polemical he had felt argument a little hard had pressedself as far in asthe might matter; be ofand the he dominie’stherefore desiredsuperior to knowledge. avail him- lawMains of hadthe casenow, asas oughthe believed, to stand got himsuch in an some insight stead, into if thehe tutecould ” law.bear inAs mind his questionthe phrases indicated, “ecclesiastical” he was not and quite “sta- so invadeconfident Pyketillim, as Jonathan if they that were the not “wild frightened men” off might betimes not ;even and he now“Fat!” articulately exclaimed expressed Jonathan his Tawse;apprehensions “tell meon thatthat head. that ettercap,o’ them ’ll Gushetneuk, be seen here ’s erebeen lang thratenin ?” that the faces o’ some though“ I’m he nae fell biddin’ upo’ me ye cornin’tak’ my oot word o’ An’ersmasfor’t, Maister Fair Tawse, like a thoosan’sud seen o’hae divots, ane herean misca’d that wud the lat minaister, the fowk and ken said fat thatlike he was—but“ I’m naespeir misdootin ye at Dawvid yer word,Hadden.” Mains ; he’s a disaffeckit o’creatur, ’im’s amo’an’ likes them to thatbe i’ cannathe heid keep o’ things.’im in aboot,An’ fan they the ’ll likegae gryteThe lengths.” last remark was not exactly complimentary to Mains, weel,who did ye not see, see I itwud s application ’a fun’t wi’ clearly, ’im a hobit; we onlyver, but he wentwudna on, baud“ Ou a word“ Was o’ me;Dawvid but wi’was ye up ?” i’ my witters like a fechtin cock.” 136 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. Dawvid’s“ Na, na;been sin’i’ the ever black that buiks skweel wi’ ’im, meetin’ an’ wudna i’ the gae spring,within a rig-length o’ Gushets an’ he cud help it.” “ Weel,Hoo cud ye ’llhe min’ken o’’so’ the projecks cheelie thanthat ?”was wi’ me fernyear was“ a Brawly—a year, that settril,leern’t braid-fac’tto be a mole-catcher.” chappie.” been“ Ay,takin’ ay, moles jist that. i’ the Heneebourheid was at Gushetneuk throu’ the en’a’ hairst, o’ the year.an’ ’s non-intrusionWeel, Gushets’s wark. pitten He’s him aye as eikin heich’s ’im up,himsel’ an’ Dawvid, aboot thisfan he’s on’s roun’s, lats at him fanever they meet, aboot the kirk: an’ “syne Ou, Molieay, an’ canna Dawvid hae’t acks an’ the haud moudiewort it, ye ken.” wi’ him!” “Weel, ye ken, Molie’s a simple cheelie, an’ Dawvid gets throu’onything him that’s nor he gyauncud dee on ony wi’ ither Gushets, gate.” aw b’lieve, seener oot-the-gate“ Vera like callant!” Dawvid’s saidsneck-drawin’; Jonathan, hewith was a aye very a straucht-obvious sneerBut at althoughthe zealous Jonathan ground-officer’s could be proclivities. sarcastic about Dawvid farHadden from inbeing friendly averse conference to availing with hishimself, brother as elder, opportunity he was matters.served, of JonathanDawvid’s had, gossip in fact,about begun the tolocal regard feeling himself in kirkas a sortRev. ofAndrew guardian Sleekaboot of “ rational held religionopinions ” morein the orthodox parish. thanThe histhe own,pernicious probably, fanaticism anent thewhich sacred would rights question of the the patron, powers and of aboot—withthe Civil Court; the exceptionbut what ofthen, a quiet if the thrust Rev. fromAndrew the Sleek-pulpit sirousoccasionally—was of enforcing ratherhis authority studious upon to avoidthose ofcollision, his parishioners than de- whoMr. Sleekabootwere manifesting believed a tendency in patient to followwaiting; divisive the spiritcourses. of “fanaticism, the whirligig he ofstill time said, ” might would bring die out.about Buta properly even although sobered state of mind among these people, the process was altogether hadtoo tediousbecome forfully the determined Rev. Jonathan to strike Tawse’s a blow temper. for KirkAnd and he State,Therefore whenever it andwas whereverthat, when, occasion on a offered.certain evening not Jonathanmany days Tawse after thecaught occurrence sight of of Dawvid the foregoing Hadden conversation, passing the JONATHAN TAWSE AND DAWVID HADDEN. 137 end of the school homeward, he hailed him with the utmost frankness,of ale. and invited Dawvid in to take sneeshin and a drink ““An’ Weel, fan I foryetsaw ye noo,” Gushetneuk said Dawvid ?” asked thoughtfully. Jonathan. “ It’s nae ! time“ syneIs he ; asbut keen I’m o’ seein’ the kirk sae sin’mony ye dailygae ’im day.” sic a fleg aboot , Hairry“ Weel, Muggart’s they’ve meetin’ never daurt?” to try the like o’’t again; an’ I 1i gar’t“ An’Hairry Gushets—I’ve ’imseF shak’ naein’s dootsheen he aboot wud that be o’at onythe rate.”steel o’ | repentance“ Hairry aboot was ait kin’tee ?” o’ heid deester there, ye see, an’ it I wusna“O-oh! worth myIthocht pains ye min’in’ gae Gushetsthe lave.” up’s fit—Fat’s this’t ,| he’s beento baud bullyraggin at the Ward Mains wi’ abootsome than—anithero’ the highflyers meetin’ ?” that 1 Dawvid“I cud with maybe an air oftell some ye consequence.that tee, Maister Tawse,” said scent“ I fordinna fin’in’ doot oot it, the Dawvid like o’ ; that,I dinna man.” doot it. Ye’ve a gran’ ’t they“ It Ve maitters-na set the nicht fat forwye a Imeetin’ fan’t oot, wi’ anebut o’I’m the quiterovin’ awaar com- mission,“ So thedoon mole-catcher at Peterkin’s creatur hole o’ wasa skweel.” sayin’, I believe,” re- marked“ Maybe,” Jonathan, said wickedly.Dawvid, in a half offended tone; “ an’ nae dootaboot he it.” wud tell ye a hantle mair nor the like o’ me cud dee quite“ Na,prepar’t na; heto setonly the said laird’s that delegate,Gushets Dawvidsud say thatHadden, he was at defiance.”“An’ did he tell ye fat authority the ‘laird’s delegate’ mizzoursbed fae Sir he Simon hed ta’en’imsel’ ere to enterdicknoo to pit ony a stopsic meetin’, till’t ?” an’asked fat Dawvid,These promptly. were points that Jonathan really desired to know littledefinitely judicious about, flattery so he induced gave up Dawvidthe bantering to explain tone, to andhim how,by a fing,on the he eveningproposed of being next Friday,down withwhich a wasbody fixed of men for theand meet-some dogs absolutely to prevent the assembling of a non-intrusion lojfrommeeting Sir inSimon the Smiddyward gave him full school. authority A letter to adopt he had that received course 138 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. conversation(as Dawvid interpreted went on, hadit); andlatterly Jonathan waxed Tawse,warm onwho, the as sub- the wouldject, not be presentmerely approvedhimself, along of the with scheme, some ofbut his declared trusty per- he sonal“Friday friends, nicht to give at sevenwhat o’clock—we’seaid might be required. gi’e Gushets an”s non-intrusionistsGweed nicht, Dawvid,” as snell said a the nizzin dominie. as they’ve gotten yet. “And Gweed so they nicht, parted. sir : an’ I ’ll be stappin,” answered Dawvid. CHAPTEE XXIY. PREPARING FOR THE CONFLICT. :HENparty, the the Rev. “ ladd Idies”JcJonathan at the Tawse school was were to surehave to a become dinner quitesymptoms aware of ofthe what coming was event about were to take visible place. in Jonathan’s The external per- son and movements. He “sowffed” more to himself than ! usual,the lessons in an wasabstracted sure to way,be curtailed, on these and days more ; one of or them other were of kitchenslurred over,through for theJonathan middle had door to togo confer out repeatedly with Baubie, to thehis housekeeper;sharp at the endthen, of thoughthe play we hour, might we beknew taken that into this schoolwould beshould more be than dismissed made upat aby quarter the promptitude after three, within place which of wean houryears later.before, And on the above days all—just when Lord as itKintore, was wont and to that be in great the herocame ofround our youthfulon a fox imagination, hunt—we knewJoe Grant, perfectly the huntsman,well there outrageouswould be no kind. risk of “ lickin,” unless for offences of the most warmestOn this admiration side of it,at Jonathan’sthe time; and,character indeed, called I don’t forth know my [thatmaterial I am degree called even upon yet. to Atqualify any rate,that thatadmiration he was ain jovial any andIt was kindly testified host byon thethose very occasions countenances was not of tohis be visitors doubted. as door,they were ere we sometimes began to seentake byour us loitering assembling departure about homeward. the entry 1 HaddenIt was had on theinformed afternoon Jonathan of the FridayTawse, on Johnny which, asGibb Dawvid and histhat non-intrusion Jonathan’s pupilsfriends were were setto haveagog their by symptomsevening meeting, of the ll nature of those referred to. Jonathan was fully bent on j ofcarrying going outdown the to resolution Smiddyward he hadschool, announced and interposing to Dawvid, an 14° JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. authoritative check to the proceedings of the fanatics, against months.whom his And “gorge” he deemed had itbeen suitable gradually to assemble rising a forfew manyof his friends,who should staunch accompany and true him champions in the guise of of moderate faithful witnesses. religion, TheBraeside, company who, includedof course, Mains as his of fellow-elders, Yawal, Teuchitsmyre, could not and be tenomitted, a note, and specially Dr. Drogemweal, explaining junior, the object to whom of thehe hadmeeting. writ- fellow,The doctor, about asthirty, may or be a herefew yearssaid, beyondwas a great it. Hefleshy-looking was not to beteristics termed seemed brilliant to beas athe professional enjoyment man.of robust His animalgrand charac-health, ofand Scotland love of goodwas somewhatfellowship difficult; and his to present account zeal for, for seeing the Kirk his onceattendance in twelve at churchmonths. on Sundays did not average much over as aThe cook dinner were wasunimpeachable, a capital dinner, and forshe Baubie’s served nocapabilities less effi- andciently Baubie, than shein cooked.turn, spoke Her just master as familiarly spoke familiarly to the guests.to her, withAnd histhus, knife as andBraeside fork insat either masticating, hand, set long in a andperpendicular seriously, an’attitude mak’ ona dennerthe table, o’’t, she noo—an’ would naecoaxingly min’ fowk’t urge him eats to as “ ginsee theysion ofwar his on sense a waager,” of obligation while to to Drogemweal’s her for the numerous mock profes- good “dinners Oh, it’s she weel had kent provided that at’en for maet’s him, sheill to retorted pay.” promptly, dominie.“Ye hae“ If ’im ye hadthere, been Baubie, wise, doctor,at ony ye rate,” wud a’quoth keepit theby theIsna aul’ that proverb the wye thato”t, says,Mains?” ‘Dit your mou’ wi’ your meat.’ perfectMains, silence, who andhad attendingbeen acting to hison thedinner, proverb declared by keeping his be- liefabout that Jonathan’s the dominie “leernin” was quite giving right, him and such added an advantage,something in aWhen wide comprehensionthe dinner was offinished, these “ theyauF, auncienthad their byewords.”toddy. It was yet two hours to the time of meeting ; and in the interval they hadwould concocted discuss the firstgeneral tumbler, aspect and of dulyaffairs. pledged So, aftereach wereother, recordedJonathan certain took upof thean Aberdeenproceedings newspaper, of the evangelical wherein PREPARING FOR THE CONFLICT. 141 ministers, who were visiting different parishes, for the purpose ofselected holding and meetings. read out severalFirst he paragraphs, put on his “ with specs,” such and headings next he asB “The,” and Schismatics so on, winding in A up this“ part The with Fire-raisers the concluding in wordsthis compound of one such of vain, paragraph, false, and which seditious were these—“statements So onended the positionsive to every of the friend Church, of truth, and which peace, must or loyalty have been who mostheard offen- it.” “ Sneevellin“ I say Amen hypocrites. to ilka wordThat’s o’ that,”your non-intrusionsaid Dr. Drogemweal. meetin’s. It concerns“ Here’s every fat the loyal editor subject says to in hae a themweel-reason’t, pitten doon.” an’ vera calmspeakin’ an’ o’ temperate the fire-raisers—‘ article,” Howcontinued much Jonathanreliance could— “he’s be reverendplaced on gentlemen the kind willof information be readily imaginedcommunicated by such by ofthese our whichreaders theas schismaticshave read orare listened so liberally to any dealing of the forth.harangues If weresimple to laymen, be guilty in ofpursuing half the objects misrepresentation of interest orof ambition,facts and thoughtconcealment not unbecomingof the truth on which the part are ofnow, Evangelical it would minis-seem, ters,ca' sen’in’ they wouldthe airrow be justly straucht scouted to the from mark.” society.’ That’s fat I much“ Seerly,” gravity. interposed Mains, who had been listening with “ An’A weel-featheFt it’s perfectly shaft true, tee,”ilka saidword Dr. o’’t. Drogemweal. They ’re nae bet- raiseter o’ strifethe ae amo’ han’ peaceable nor incendiaries, fowk ; and wan’erin’ syne their here harangues—a an’ there to theclean institutions perversion o’ o’ the the countra.” constitutional law, an’ veelint abuse o’ Fin“ tray Did last ye weekhear ?”sic asked a rouse the asdoctor. they hed wi’ them doon in Jonathan.“ No ; the paper disna come till the morn,” answered an’ “it I waswud jist ’a gi’enthe baresta bottle chance o’ black that strap I didna till ’a hearbeen o”tthere in ; time,”“ Was said there Dr. Drogemweal.a row?” them,“ Row! the fowk ay wasroar’t there. them doonAn’ maugrewhan they the try’tleather to getlungs up o’a meetin’ in a mannie Knicht’s barn; an’ fan they saw’t it was 142 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. likeo’ the to pairish,be a case like o’ physicalas mony forcetykes theywi’ their war forc’ttails atween to skulk their oot legs.Tawse.” That’s the style for the non-instrusion fanatics, Mr. ment“ Weel,; but theyI never dinna thocht deserve they a wudhearin’, be itill maunto beat be at alloo’t. argu- sense,They hinna lat alane a fit statuteto stan’ law.” upon i’ the licht o’ logic and common claimed“ Na, thena; doctor,a ‘ staffy-nevel with emphasis, job,’ ’s auP refilling Skinner his has’t,” tumbler. ex- “ PhysicalMains andforce his is thefellow-elders argument hadfor them.”been rather thrown out in this discussion, and while it still went on, Braeside, whose askattitude his neighbourhad been purelyquietly, that “ Fat of disa listener, he mean, now Mains, ventured by aye to speakin’“ Na, o’na,” ‘ feesikle answered force’—is’t Mains, ony who kin’ was o’ drogsgratified ?” to find himself“ ‘ Feesikle in aforce’ position jist meansto give to instructionlay fae ye a”t on yer this able.” occasion. be fat“ Keep’s he means an’ ;guide’s,” there’s never said beenBraeside, nae ill “ neepourheidthat seerly canna amo' the “fowk Weel, roon it’s hereaboot.” their nain blame,” answered Mains, vaguely. “Fat is’t, boys?” shouted Drogemweal. “Keep the bottle gaen there—thank ye. Ye’ll need to lat the fanatics see “Wethat they wus winna jist speakin’come here aboot for naething.” ‘feesikle force,’ doctor,” answered“ Ou ay; Mains physical confidently. force, if it be necessary. Mr. Tawse ’ll mentgi’e them ‘ we jawthree ; ’an’ sud I thinkbaud forour wecht ain. atBut the they ither ’re style to haeo’ argu- nae meetin’“ Dawvid here atHadden ony rate.” ’ll dee that pairt o’’t, dootless,” said Jonathan,“ Yon bit“ if pernicketty he be as gweed’s wallydraggle! his word.” He’ll dee some ser- vice, or than no.” —to“ keepHe’s them airm’t oot wi’ o’ poo’er their conventicle.fae the laird, though—soBut jist pit roun’I b’lieve the kettlieminutes.” there, an’ baud gaen. We’ll need to start in a few Dr. “Drogemweal, My certie, ye’re looking richt; up it’s at Jonathan’sthe quarter eight-day past six,” clock. said win“ We there.” maun start at ance, or they may be a’ gathert afore we PREPARING FOR THE CONFLICT. 143 The doctor then gulped down the remaining contents of havehis tumbler, a haddock and ready Jonathan by the having time Dr.given Drogemweal Baubie orders and heto shouldChurch return, defenders an hour set outand fora half Smiddyward or so thereafter, school, the Jonathan valiant andin his the hand, doctor and marching Mains, inTeuchitsmyre, front, the latter and with Braeside, a big stickwho hadexpected begun to toplay, be following a little uncertainbehind. of the part they were CHAPTEE XXY. THE GUSHETNEUK MEETING. €^HILEtowards Jonathan the hamlet Tawse of andSmiddyward, his friends theyplodded had, downas I haveDrogemweal indicated, going separated in front, into while two groups,Mains Jonathanof Yawal and Dr.the yards.other elders It was gradually a cloudy fell evening behind, in to February, the distance though of about partial ten moonlightway. When helped they somewhathad reached to tolighten within the about darkness a furlong of the of letthe joinedWard, theat the kirk point road, where some the one road passed leading them from going the in ham- the opposite“Eh, man!” direction. exclaimed Braeside, after stopping and look- hading forgone, a second“ an’ that or twobinna in theDawvid direction Hadden, in which it’s theseerly figure his wraith.”“It canna be Dawvid,” answered Mains, “for we ken't he ’ll“ That’sbe doon as at lucky the Ward at ony skweel rate,” afore’s.” said Braeside, “ for I’m nae jist vera keerious aboot that doctor’s protticks, an’ uncoDawvid’s thing hed to gar a hantle fowk geto’ expairience—’serve’s, ill-willers amo’ their neebours.” it wud be an kwintra,”“ Weel, replied but ye Mains; see they’re “speer brakin’ ye at theMaister staito Tawselaw o’ thean’ he ’ll tell ye the same.” said“ Teuchitsmyre.It’s a terrible daurin thing to gae on in sic a menner,” fash“ amo’Ou, aw’m kent fowk,”nae misdootin’ replied Braeside. ’t; but it disna weel to maid nearerIn short,he and Braeside his friends only came deprecated to the scene conflict of action.the more They the hadsmith passed and souter, Widow where Will’s the cottage, lights andwere also burning the cottages cheerily of thein- wasside. no Theygreat appearancehad met two of aor meeting three more gathering. people, When but there they THE GUSHETNEUK MEETING. 145 gotdoor up still to fastened. the school, the windows were quite dark, and the step“Owre oot the early, loan aye few see,” yairds.” said Jonathan. “We had better whaur's“ Countra your fowk’sadvanc’t aye guard late,” wi”s replied dogs? the He doctor; mitha “been but here“ Naeat ony fear; rate, he’s by thisowrecroose time.” o’ the subject nae to be here in time,”“Was said that Jonathan. Dawvid Hadden?” inquired Mains, after a pausethat yon of somewas him’t duration. we met “’Cause at the glackBraeside o’ the threepit roads.” owre huz Hadden“ Dawvid gyaun Hadden! the center ” exclaimedgate ?” the dominie, “ Dawvid “Ye’ve“ I’m fell mista’en seer it wasthe hour;him, atan’ ony we rate,” ’re here said afore Braeside. the time,” said“ Dr.Mithna Drogemweal. we speer some“ What’s gate ?” to suggested be done ?” Mains. silent,Sandy and Peterkin’s so, for that school matter, remained did Sandy’s suspiciously house, dark too; andfor meeting,when Dr. came Drogemweal, to the front who of hadit, Sandy’s gone off modest to ask window about hadthe Thethe blind doctor down, rapped and loudlythere was on theno appearancedoor with hisof lightcudgel, within. and comingwas in thedown act theof rappingloan, by again,the doctor’s when “ companions,a fit ” was heard who rapidly,stood a littleslackened way back. his pace, The and, new as hearrival, approached who was the walking group, seemeda voice asked,to hesitate “ Is thatwhether you, orMains not to ?” stop. Stop he did, and which“Ay,” a man answered adopts whenMains, he withis in doubtthat tone about of the dry identity reserve or respectability“ Aw doot ofye his’re mista’en,questioner. as weel’s some main” tered,“Ou, and it’s more you humane is’t, Molie,” tone. said Mains, in a mightily al- cheerfully.“ Ay, it’s “a’ Ye ’t’s wud for me,”be gyaun answered to the our meetin’ old friend ?” the gudge, Maister“Weel,” Tawse replied an’ ane Mains, or twa speaking o’’s jist tyeukvery aslowly, stap doon“Weel, the howe“It i’ thewus gloamin—it’s till ’a been i’ athe fine skweel, nicht.” but they cheeng’t it, ye ratherken,” saidobvious the attemptsimple-minded at finesse. gudge, not heeding Mains’s 146 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. creator“Cheeng’t Hadden it?” never exclaimed to hint at Jonathan sic a thing Tawse; to me!” “an’ that bittie,”“ But and aw the doot gudge Dawvid’s laughed gotten’s quietly. nain “It leg wasdrawn only a weethe streento tell thatsome the o’ themeetin’ fowk was aifter cheeng’t; aw was an’ laid I tyeukbye for a rinthe roun’day. DawvidSir ’imseP—ye’ve was doon seerlyin gran’ met time, ’im. awHe’s b’lieve, hame as naebig’s time the synevera in aThe terrible gudge’s bung.” information was rather more copious than werepalatable. endeavouring But while to Jonathan ruminate Tawse thereon, and Dr.his Drogemweal,other friends whoPeterkin’s had returneddoor, asked, from in ahis peremptory ineffectual tone, assault “ An’ when’son Sandy the meetin’“ Ou, to the be nicht,held noothe ?”nicht,” said the gudge. “I’“ An’ the where’s barn atit toGushetneuk. be ?” There cudna be a better place.strae en’ Aw’m ahin the seer thrashin’ ye ken, mull. Mains, An’ sic yescouth’s mitha seen’sthere isfae i’ yerthe . 1 pausednain toon ; and, biggin there oot being the strae no reply, i’ the he aifterneen.” continued, “The Weel, gudge I ’ll j theyneed ’reto fecklybe stappin; a’ up fae for this aw side hinna a filie wull’t syne. aw Aw’m war surelate, itan’ ’ll ' be aAnd capital the mole-catchermeetin’.” moved briskly on his way. JonathanIt was Tawsenot altogether and his afriends pleasant had predicament been led. Theinto waywhich in | whichit was thingsthis. hadDuring taken the the week, turn Dawvidthat had Haddenbrought themhad been into unusuallyhe was to demonstrativedo in the way ofnot stopping only in theletting meeting, it be knownbut also what the • course,authority was by to which frighten he thewas timid to doand it. wavering Dawvid’s from object, showing of faceonly atwas the Peter school. Birse Soin fara state he hadof helpless been successful, agony, but for even not sionalHairry business, Muggart, had when left thedown impression at the Ward on the onsouter some and profes- smith madethat there Hairry was “really shak’ groundin his sheen.” for Dawvid’s The twoboast friends, that he there- had fore,spoilt had in begunthis way; to have and, some moreover, fears that the the souter meeting raised might the be Peterkinquestion stronglyto make whetherhim voluntarily it was altogetherinvite ejection fair tofrom Sandy his THE GUSHETNEUK MEETING. 147 schoolGibb, andby holding suggest the to meetinghim the there. propriety He wouldof transferring go to Johnny the Johnnymeeting gotto hot,his andown denouncedbarn. At it first as mere blush truckling of the proposalto petty tyranny,set zealously but heabout speedily “ reddin’ saw up”the matterthe barn in asa differenta place to light, meet and in. duringThe thechange day asin widelythe place as ofpossible, meeting and had probably been intimated none of ignorancethe well affected, of it. whoNor waswere there likely any to attend,desire tohad keep been others left in thedirectly dark informed on the subject. very early Dawvid in the Hadden, afternoon; even, but had unhappily been in- himfor himself, off the Dawvidscent; sohad Dawvid concluded had it observedto be a ruse that to he throw was- “ owreAnd aul’ the a meetingsparrow toin beJohnny ta’en wi’Gibb’s cauff.” bam was highly suc- cessful.Smiddyward, Thither including came thethe souter,majority the of smith,the residenters and Sandy at hisPeterkin apprentice, ; Andrew Jock Langchafts, Will. And the Mrs. merchan’, Birse brought was there, with andher HairryMiss Birse, Muggart, along too, with under Peter, the feelingsenior, that and Dawvid Peter, Haddenjunior; wasalso likelyput in to an keep appearance at a respectable ; and the distance zeal of from the mole-catcherGushetneuk, farmhad operated servants, to including the bringing his oldout rivalof a considerableTam Meerison, number so that of beenthe available intended space to re-instate in the barnHairry was Muggart fully occupied. in the chair, It hadbut smithHairry proposed being rather Johnny shy Gibb of the as honourthe fittest on person this occasion, to be chair- the , manacclamation.” in his own bam, and the proposal was “carried by I open,This and point the hadhead just and been shoulders settled ofwhen Dr. the Drogemweal door was pushed thrust in.the chairman“ Come awa’ in a an’somewhat tak seats, emphatic we ’re jisttone. gaen “ Ou,to begin,” that’s you,.said See,Maister there’s Tawse; a bit bolea sicht ahin o’ theyou shakker here’s ’llgweed haud for you sair ; ye een. ’re naeget edge’tgryte inbouk aboot mair the nor en’ mysel’. o’ the furms.”Mains an’ the lave o’ ye ’ll 0 to, theyAfter had the debatedmole-catcher among had themselves left the gentlemen what was just to bereferred done. I Jonathandid not know Tawse, exactly who upon had managed whom to tovent get his into anger, a great would rage, have and 148 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK turned and gone home in disgust, and it need hardly be said followthat his that fellow-elders example; wouldbut, ashave Mains been ofextremely Yawal thereafterhappy to averred,and hinted Dr. thatDrogemweal the zeal “of bann’t the Pyketillimfeerious ” ateldership this proposal, must fanaticsreally be wherever at a low theyebb went;if it didin short,not incite he persuaded to pursuit Jonathan of the tinuedto go along in a ruffled with him state; to theand, meeting, on the albeitwhole, his it wastemper not con-im- provedentering by the the barn. reception he met with from Johnny Gibb on psalmThe (which meeting Johnny was formallyGibb “precented”) opened by andsinging prayer, part a ofpro- a ceedingassembled the had like not of before which dreamt not a offew as ofpossible the rustics in a bam,there andThe theychairman felt correspondinglythen abruptly announced queer in that,the circumstances.“ We ’re to get addressesforth the prenciplesfae twa respeckit o’ the evangelical minaisters pairty. fae a distance,As ye a’settin’ see, thenor’s skweelmaister word an’ he binnao’ the wuntin’pairis’ is to here mak’ tee a speech; an’ he to ’ll defen’ be waur the bearin’;Coort o’ Sessionbut lat meKirk. tell Weye ’llane hae an’ nae a’, objectionthat I ’ll keep to gi’e order ’im i’a my nain hoose ; an’ gin ony horse-cowpin doctor, or ony ither aneside tryo’ the to mak’door disturbanceraither seener here, nor wehe ’llwud lat like’im maybe.”see the bonny tentionThe tochairman’s Jonathan remarksTawse andnaturally Dr. Drogemweal drew rather than more these at- eithergentlemen of them seemed to putto relish,in a word, but withouthe continued, allowing “Noo, time ye’ll for getme here,an address Sir.” Thefae platformthe Rev. consistedMr. Nonem—come of a wooden forret threshing- aside smallfloor, ontable which with had a lighted been placedcandle onthe it chairman’s and a pair ofseat snuffers. and a earnest,The rev. though, gentleman perhaps, announced somewhat at verbose once address,commenced wherein an hethen dwelt proceeded at length to expound on “the the doctrine right ofof thethe Christianheadship peopleand within the much choice emphasis, of their to ministers, say whether calling they upon were his prepared auditors, to latists,hand over or papists, their consciencesor worse, and to letpatrons the judges who ofmight the Courtbe pre- of forSession that wasin the the last pass resort things decide were all coming such questionsto now ? for them, THE GUSHETNEUK MEETING. 149- During the delivery of this address there was marked ingattention expression generally; to their they approval had not by yet “ ruffing learnt ”the with mode their of feet,giv- ordividual otherwise, in that in directionPyketillim, was and the the chairman, one demonstrative who once andin- byagain such very utterances audibly emphasisedas “ Owre true, the sirsentiments ; ” “ We ofa’ theken speakerfat kin7 soo’ caul’on. moralityIt was evident we get thatfae yourDr. Drogemweallaw-made minaisters,” and Jonathan and i1 Tawse were on edge ; and the doctor had once or twice at- i temptedNonem,” an and interruption “Question;” by suchbut gettingexclamations no support as “ Notfrom true, the bymeeting, the chairman’s he had found “ Seelence, himself sir! uncomfortably ” and “ Wheesht, individualised sir! ” and i had“Noo, given upMaister these attempts.Tawse, we’ll hear ye,” exclaimed Johnny | startedGibb, “an’to his dinna feet, deteen’sand curtly owre declared, lang.” “ I Jonathandid not wantTawse to speak.”But Jonathan “ Dinna continued, dee’t, than,” “An’ quoth there’s the beenchairman, vera littlepromptly. said hereDr. Drogemweal. this nicht that What deserves were a theyreply.” to think,“ Hear, Jonathan hear,” criedpro- whoceeded had to vowedask, of to men uphold like thosethe Established of the present Kirk, deputation, and were nowwho hadtrying trampled to pull itan down interdict ? What of the were Court they of to Session think of under men H satefoot ?hubbub Could about temerity the further interference go ? ofAnd the why civil all magistrate this insen- ? heHad would the civillike tomagistrate know that ever ? Hadsought he to ever enter done their aught pulpits— but hiszealots, duty who in controllingset all law, civilthe actingsand ecclesiastical, of a set of athot-headed defiance, whosetended tolanguage anarchy was and seditious,insurrection and ? whose actings directly himself;During he his also speech, roused Jonathanthe feelings not of merelythe audience. waxed warmThe fashionchairman somewhat once and short again of abruptlychairman-like expressed calmness himself and inim- a partialitycried “Keep ; his to excitement the pint;” infected “ Nane the o’yer mole-catcher, ill-natur’,” who and also so fi thumpingon ; and whenwith hisDr. stickDrogemweal on the edgecheered of theJonathan “furm,” on andby Jiq Andrewshouting “Hear,Langchafts, hear,” seconded “Good,” by“That’s Sandy it,” Peterkin, and so forth,very — *5° JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. stillJonathan fully up, finishedthe second abruptly, deputy and, rose, while and endeavoured,the “steam” bywas a fewness. sensible It so happenedwords to recallthat this the gentlemanaudience tohad a statenot only of calm- been practitioneran old college in companionquestion ofhad Drogemweal, for a short but timethe medicalbeen a up,parishioner he forthwith of his. commencedAnd so, Drogemweal’s a somewhat bloodcoarse being personal now ownattack, pastoral charging duties, the whileminister he, withforsooth, habitually had the neglecting presumption his histo invade parish the more parishes than aof year, better and men he than never himself. once visited“ I lived me— in doctor.that’s the “ manYes, myto tell friends,” other menwas theirthe reply, duty!” “ and exclaimed there may the befamiliar parishioners with, except whose infaces the we way have of littleprivate chance inquiry.” of getting Dr. DrogemwealLangchafts stood was upabout and tosolemnly attempt protested a retort, against when Andrewany one beingan emphatic allowed shout,to interrupt ordered a speaker“ Seelence, ; and sir, the this chairman, moment, with or wayI ’ll gethad ye not pitten become oot!” apparent, What whenmight Jonathanhave happened Tawse ingot this to hisDr. feet,Drogemweal, hat in hand, with and a unceremoniouslymuttered malediction, made forand the a door.great amountpast some of noise,of his caused neighbours, by his stickfollowed. and feet,Mains as heof pushedYawal toand go his too; brother but, theirelders presence looked asof mindif they failing would them have at liked the gonemoment, ; and they then, had as not they moved did not when like theirto be friends conspicuous, were clean they kept“ Atheir gweed seats. reddance; a gweed reddance, weel-a-wat,” said bamthe chairman, door had asbeen he oncesnuffed more the closed. candle beside“ Noo, him,sir, we’ll after tak’the theingly, lave and o’ spoke yer discoorse.”at length, andThe with speaker a force resumed and seriousness accord- thatence, evidentlyafter which told opportunity on the more was intelligent given for partpersons of his present audi- totheir signify names adherence to a paper to to non-intrusion that effect. principles, by signing shalledJohnny the forcesGibb wasto this in hispart most of the exalted business, mood which as heseemed mar- andto him Covenant. a process veryMains nigh of akinYawal to andsigning his thebrethren, Solemn who League saw THE GUSHETNEUK MEETING. 151 thatthe door,the case while was Johnny getting shouted, desperate, “ Gweed now rose nicht, and men, slipped we’re to youngermuckle obleeg’t people forhad your left peaceablewhile the company.”preparations Somefor signing of the meetingwere going were on; still but there, most includingof the prominent Mrs. Birse, members who now of thesat on the“ It’s front nae “ furm,”a thing with to beher lichtlyhusband deen, close sirs. at hand.Ye ’re pittin ligiousyour names leeberty. till a Comedockiment awa’, thatsouter, concerns ye ’re weeloor ceevilfit to set’san’ re- a’ anback.” example; The souterye winna had pit no yerchoice han’ butto thedo pleuchas he was an’ bid,luik oughtthough to the go suggestionfirst. “ It ’llwas be langmade to thatthe daythe thatchairman’s I’m fit to name step appropriateafore Roderick word M‘Aul,” for each said several Johnny adherent Gibb. asJohnny he came had up an ; andin the I don’tremark think he thereaddressed was the to Peterleast shadeBirse, of when conscious Peter irony rose awa’,from hisClinkstyle wife’s side, ; I’m and glaid came to seeslowly ye takin’ up to pairt the table, for defence “ Come o’ thesee rizzontrowth to set be afore’so’ a different this nicht. min’ faeI’m fat weel yer inseer eenoo, ye ’ll abootnever fat yerPeter deein signed here with afore very wutnesses.” much of the feeling that might havehis wife been desired supposed him to to animate put his theneck traditional into the mink “John,” to please when countenance,the laird. Then rose, andMrs. after Birse, doing with her a best becomingly at a curtsey, solemn and deputies,addressing left an for impressive home. “ Good nicht, sir,” to each of the haveWhen in some men getcases, into as the it position appears of to public me, characters,a considerable they reluctanceor be lost tosight allowing of. thatWith aspect Johnny of theirGibb lives this towas get not obscured, by any meansGushetneuk the case; greatly for more although into theprominence bam meeting than before,had brought while hishad handling made all of Pyketillim Jonathan Tawse“ ring fromand Dr. side Drogemweal, to side,” with junior, his fameany allusion as chairman, to the nothingproceedings more above readily narrated nettled in Johnny the light than of hisHadden own sharehad been,in them. as it Hewere, was snuffed rather out pleased for the that time, Dawvid and butthat the the questionother two beforejust named which had they been had driven succumbed from the was field, a 152 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. questionGibb, was of a greatmere principles,entity of only in therelation smallest to which dimensions, he, Johnny and nothe was once just to Johnnybe named Gibb as aof power Gushetneuk, in the case as athe all.had Inbeen short, for speakingthe last andthirty acting and asodd the years;impulse an moved inconsiderable him, in accordance person, withChurch what affairs, he believed as it was at inthe other time things; to be right.Johnny It followed was in his own path of duty, quite irrespective of the state of opinion roundclaim toabout merit him, in so and doing. he was honestly unconscious of any CHAPTER XX YI. SANDY PETERKIN’S FORTUNE. ^5) tionthe parishwas not ot seen Pyketillim in any of the its great grand event or striking of the features.Disrup- porterInasmuch of the as authoritythe Rev. ofAndrew the powers Sleekaboot that be, was there a wasfirm theresup- leavingno exodus the from comfortable the Manse; home the minister,of by-gone for years,conscience’ where sake, his manychildren miles, had andgrown himself up about finding him, the sending home wherehis family he was away to affordedspend solitary him the months accommodation on months of in only a poor an indifferent cottage, which “ but ofand Pyketillim ben.” And, would of course, only have if the been entire guided body ofby the his parishioners advice, the beenDisruption, a nonentity. so far asIt Pyketillimwas curious was to noteconcerned, how the would three havemen viz.,of highest the Rev. learning Mr. Sleekaboot, and position the connectedRev. Jonathan with Tawse,the parish, and approachingSir Simon Frissal,event, orin prophesiedtheir several evil, ways, and evildenounced only, as theits result,ing and while abetting they in predicted bringing aboutdisaster its accomplishment.to all who might Never-be aid- theless,the advantage I doubt of veryPyketillim, much whethereven, at itthis would day, havethat thebeen event for referredAs it towas, had there remained was a unaccomplished.small knot of the parishioners, most mittedof whom themselves have been definitely introduced to theto theother reader, side on who the had question com- sincerityat issue. withAs whichto the theyvarying had degreesdone so, of we intelligence need not hereand learnspeak from; one the thing circumstances is certain, that under they which had theyall more were or placed less to ; Ionly mistake we need not not there hastily are suchcall themsingular “ slow examples in the uptak’,” in existence for if andstill, inas 1870people have who not took more the than same half side learnt as thethey significance did in 1843, of 154 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. the lesson taught by their own professed principles, and the standBut they to mytook story—It twenty-seven was onyears a Saturday ago. afternoon in the lastSmiddyward, week of April, evidently 1843, onthat business. Dawvid HaddenHe was cameaccompanied down to byand a trousersman with tight bare about cheeks, the wearingankles, betokening a long-bodied that waistcoat, his func- thetion smiddylay in dealingwithout withdeigning horses. to stopDawvid and conversestrode away with pastthe beensmith, emptied who was for shovellinguse. “ Fine up nicht,a load Dawvid,” of coals saidthat the had smith, just and Dawvid gravely replied “Fine nicht,” but did not “brak audiblehis space.” ejaculation, Of course, as Dawvidhe resumed did nothis hear shovelling, the smith’s “Fat’s semi- i’ the Dawvidcreatur’s went noddle straight noo ava up to?” Sandy Peterkin’s, and without herestopping ?” shouted to knock, Dawvid. thrust the door fully open. “ Ony bodie lived“ Ou,mainly ay, alone,I’m here,” the kindly answered matrons Sandy in thePeterkin. hamlet takingSandy beena general enjoying oversight a quiet of cuphis domesticof tea by arrangements.himself, and rose He up had to openCome hisawa’ “ innerben. door,”I’m some as he tribble’t asked, wi’ “ reek,Is that but you, fan Dawvidyer lootit ? doon“ Na,it’s nanae ; saeI canna ill.” pit aff time, fan I’ve buzzness adee.” nae “afen’t Hoot, weye mithsee you jist here.”tak’ a seat a minit,” said Sandy. “ It’s for aDawvid bundle made of papers. no reply, but fumbled in his breast pocket summons“I’m owthereest,you, ‘ Alexander as awgent Peterkin, for residenter,Sir Simon furthFrissal, of theto todwelling-house quit the same and at theadjoining ensuing premises term of Whitsunday.’at Smiddyward, ” and letter,Dawvid with aheld seal conspicuously upon it, and inhe his read hand from an official-lookinganother of his uncertainbundle of papers.stare, he wavedAnd as the Sandy letter stoodtoward and him looked with awith sort anof flourish,Saun’ers, andman, added, fan we “Ye gya thocht-naye a bit warnin’, muckle but o’ that’soor words, vreet upon’t“ Ou, noo weel, ; foo an’ does it come that toplease that, ye?”I’ve haen to flit afore noo,” said“ Sandy,Weel, yecomplacently. ’ll tak’ notice’t ye’ve been regular summons’t i’ SANDY PETERKIN’S FORTUNE. '55 the presenceproper time. o’ a lethalYe may wutness, go noo, Peter Peter,” M'Cabe, said Dawvid, to remuv turn- at ingseem to to the be desiroushorsey-looking of having man, longer whose than company duty required. he did not maitter,”“ I’m repliedobleeg’t Sandy to ye, Peterkin. Dawvid, for your great pains i’ the gotten“Ay, so Saun’ers,lang warnin’. man, an’It wasnaye maybe necessar’ thankfu’ to gi’e that a ye’veday’s minitnotice. sin’ Ye ever ocht ye tosat ken doon that here. ye’ve Ye’ve been naeat oor proper merciment possession ilka time.o’ the premises,But Sir Simonaccordin’ Frissal’s to law; mair an’ cudo’ a begentleman turn’t oot nor at tak’ony advantage“ Muckle o’ obleeg’tthe vera topeerest Sir Simon; incomer he on’s ’ll nae estates.” doot be turnin the “place It maitters-na till a better to purpose you; he’s ance enteetl’t he war reddto hae’s o’’s.” wull re- in.speckit An’ by nae them less ’t’s tobehaud’n see’t the till premises ’im for a biePon’s to nain pit theirproperty heid tosanna oonlawfu’ be ees’t gedderins. to herbour malcontents,That’s fat yer an’ non-intrusion gi’e encouragement comes till—yeta’en a tellin’mitha fae leern’t fowk mairwi’ mair wut gumption ere noo, norman, yersel’.” an’ ye cud ’a sionists“ Oh, upo’ weel, the gin place, Sir Simon I ’ll suffer be to in clear gweed aff company.a’ the non-intru- Ye ’ll be gyaun“Jist leem owre yebye to tokeep summons a ceevil Gushets tongue i’neist, yer held,nae doot Saun’ers, ?” itherman. adeeThat’s nor wastenedder time here nyatterin nor there; on wi’but theI’ve like something o’ you,” andSandy with Peterkin this the shut ground-officer the door and turned proceeded and passed to finish away, his andtea. makeOn ahis call homeward at the shop route, of DawvidHairry Muggart,Hadden tookthe wright;care to famouswhere in summons an “ overly he ” hadway, just as Hairryprofessed said, to he serve turned on outSandy the Peterkin.“An’ will he raelly be pitten oot?” asked Hairry, with some“Pitten earnestness. oot!” exclaimed Dawvid. “ Div ye mean to say o’’sthat word,Sir Simon aifter Frissalsen’in’ ’s wud nain mak’ awgent a feel to summons o’ ’imsel’ onyor gae ane back oot? Ay,pocketing Hairry, his man, papers. that’s “ butThe the langest beginnin’ livers o’’t,” sees saidmaist Dawvid, ferlies. gyang.”Aw wudna won’er nor there may be mair summonses ere lang 156 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. MuggartOn that was veryaway evening,to Smiddyward after “ todroppin’ see the ’’ smithtime, andHairry the receivedsou ter. ofHainy’s what Dawvidstatement Hadden was the had first really intimation been about; they hadand theSandy question himself naturally that he hadenough not arosebeen downwhat hadwith becomethe intelli- of begence. to call The on Sandy;readiest andway theto triosolve accordingly this question went seemed up to his to inhouse, the whereperusal they of founda newspaper, the honest which, dominie he atdeeply once engrossed informed hisabout visitors, current contained ecclesiastical a deal affairs.“ o’ vera Itinteraistin was this, ” inintelligence fact, that theaccounted smith of for his his fate. not Thehaving proceedings got down recorded to tell the were souter of some and popularlength, anddivines Sandy with had extraordinary read the speechessatisfaction made and edification,by several theas he less now lofty proceeded but more to practical set forth. subject When of he Dawvid had got Hadden’s round to visit,set forth, he narrated and seemed the circumstancesrather pleased muchthat he as had they been have able been to keepIt Dawvidwas evident tolerably that wellDawvid “ in abootHadden’s ” in thevisit long was run. seriously ammeant. verily Sandy persuaded, Peterkin’s in full three view friends of the felt somewhat it to be so;awkward and I leastconsequences deeply concerned it involved of to the him group. personally, When Sandy Johnny was Gibb the inghad abeen lawyer told toof itset he at stormed defiance fiercely, Dawvid and Hadden’s talked of irregular employ- tainedsummons. his determinationBut of course to this give passed “ Sir Seemonoff, though ” a fewJohnny lines re- of settledhis mind, conviction so soon ofas the he smith,should in return which tothe the others quarter. concurred, The mancewas that of the the ejection Rev. Mr.of SandySleekaboot, Peterkin Jonathan was the jointTawse, perfor- and settledDawvid it Hadden;as the judicious that is andto say, proper their thing united to bewisdom done, withhad thatthe viewthings of werestriking coming terror to into a head; the fanatics, and this it being once evidentagreed authorityupon, there for was carrying no difficulty it out in in the obtaining fashion Siradopted Simon by Frissal’sDawvid Hadden.The result was that, when Whitsunday came, the humble scholarsschool door took was their locked several for waysgood homeward,and all. Sandy after Peterkin’sa parting SANDY PETERKINT3 FORTUNE. 157 advicetears on and theirs; much and kindly Sandy “ clappin Peterkin ” on was his once side, more and nota gentle- a few privateman at tutorlarge to inhis the classical world, pupil, a proposal Benjie Birse,to engage having him fallen as terms,through, but not because because Mrs. Sandy Birse would felt havethere asked was someunreasonable force 5t* parlourMiss Birse’s society objection and parlour to admitting fare of Clinkstyle,a person like while him it towo havetutor beenherding at thewith same the farmtime servants.degrading to Benjie to have CHAPTER XXVII. MAINS OF YAWAL AT THE SYNOD. »Y outthe oftime the school,that Sandy Johnny Peterkin Gibb washad quite been prepared summoned for thingseeing thatthe hadvenerable strongly Kirk excited of Scotland his feelings rent was asunder. the meeting One apartof the fromAberdeen the gathering Synod. andHitherto distribution in the parish of the of offering, Pyketillim, the muchoffice ofof thea sinecure. “ ruling elder,”The Rev. as already Andrew stated, Sleekaboot had been rode very to upthe toPresbytery this time meetingsfelt it necessary with great to have regularity, the intelligent but he had laity not of greatthe parish questions represented were at instake, the andrev. votes court. had Now, come however,to be of importance.Mains of Yawal So, was by appointedthe unanimous ruling voice elder offor the Pyketillim. Session, inMains a wearied went tosort a meetingof way, ofbut Presbytery, as the “ ait and seed sat ” outwas the just affair be- dignityginning, had he entailedloudly grudged on him. theThe waste Synod of time met whichin the hissecond new onsetweek offrom April, the andminister at the and kirk the next dominie, Sunday, as toMains the absolutehad an necessitySynod. of his accompanying the former to the meeting of an’ “forbye, Hoot, II haenacud be been o’ naein Aiberdeen eese at Kirk this maitters,”three towmons; urged Mains.“Buff an’ nonsense,” said Jonathan Tawse. “Ye can seerly“ An’ say it’s ‘ Ay jist ’ or the ‘ No,’ heid whichever hurry o’ thethe sizzon;minister I bidsVe byous ye.” ill anewunnin be rowlin’awa’. el’yer,Pegs, an’I can I hed tell kent,ye.” I sud ’a latt’n some ither pointMains’s to settle objections was the weremode speedily of transit overborne; to Aberdeen. and theAs next the newspapers“ again open had for justnavigation,” announced, after the some Aberdeenshire temporary Canalstoppage. was MAINS OF YAWAL AT THE SYNOD. 159 gigand boat,”Mains aswas the decidedly cheapest favourable means of toconveyance. going by the So “ swiftnext andday hethe had minister his old-fashioned to the “ Canal gig Head,”“ a-yoke in ” timeto convey for the himself leav- ingsent of on the an boathour for before Aberdeen; on foot oneto bringof Mains’s back thelads gig. had beenRev. Andrewin the cabin Sleekaboot, of the “ asflyboat;” became but his this dignity, course took his rulinghis passage elder resolutelygoing in thedeclined steerage, to andfollow. why Heshould could he notsave do a soshilling ? Then, by hostelry,as was his the wont, Lemon the minister Tree. Mainswould putdemurred up at that somewhat well-reputed at the ideacommodated of going thither,at some being “ stabler’s convinced ” at lessthat cost.they mightBut, asbe ac-his knowledgespecify the particularof “the city” inn wherehad got he rusted, would hedesire was to unable take histo theease, minister, and, under provided a sort ofMr. protest, Sleekaboot he agreed would at last undertake to go with to devotecertain partshops of where next morninghe wanted to toassisting make safehim purchases,in looking in-up cludingMains believed, that of wasCoutts, unequalled the cutler, in the in production Gallowgate, of awho, reliable as pocketThe “ greatgullie.” question in which the services of Mains of YawalSynod andwas, his whether lay brethren the ministers were called of quoad into requisition sacra churches at the wasshould long be debateallowed onto sitthe as point, members during of the which rev. court.a well-known There mittingleader declared the quoad that sacra he objected brethren to to the sit Generalin the church Assembly courts, ad- another“not only less on prominentcivil, but on member, religious no grounds doubt likewise;”feeling acutely and wheretheir admission,the shoe pinched “had him,cost observedhim many that a shilling.”protesting againstWhen thatthe grandthe quoad division sacra was brethren taken, should it carried not beby recognised 101 to 55,as membersment, the ofwhole the Synod, evangelical whereat, party amid left no the little Synod noise House, and excite- viz., thisthe Westsweeping Kirk, majority, and thereafter close upon met one-halfin Melville were Church. elders, theOf zealousModerate gentlemen party having from succeeded the country in rallying of rather a force more of thesethan doubleopponents. the numberAs a very of natural elders whoresult, came Mains up of to Yawal vote returnedfor their i6o JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. from the Synod somewhat elated at the part he had played. hadThe furnished“ ait seed himself ” had gonewith aon trusty favourably Coutts’ ingullie; his absence; had hunted he upcluding in inconceivable fully half a hundredweight places sundry ofremarkable iron goods, bargains, consisting in- chiefly of a parcel of second hand “sells and thrammels,” mereone or “wanworthall two “ back chynes,” of which and hesimilar brought chain with work, him got by wayat a ofState, luggage. and forAbove once hadall, heseen had his done name his printedduty by in Church the news- and papers.Mains had his weak points like other people ; and though the least like it of all men, there was not altogether wanting timea slight after touch his return of vanity related in hishis composition.experiences ofHe this had his some first grandden, and ecclesiastical by both hadcampaign been toeulogised Braeside for and his Dawvid unflinching Had- faithfulness,side remarking, in as “ Goshie,high terms man as 1” theirwhile natures Dawvid allowed, Hadden, Brae- with it’sa proper jist as allusion I Ve aye to said.his own FowkVs recent doings, in a public observed, an’ ’sponsible “ Weel, wyecanna maun be on-taentak’ the leadpairt an’accordin’ ack o’ theirto their nain capacity—ye heids, but ithers sud mak’be prood mention o’ bein’ o’’t fanalloo’t I vreet to vote, to Sir Mains. Simon.” I sannaAnd, foryetfortified to byarmour all this, and goneMains forth felt atthat the a callman of who duty had amid buckled the gathered on his hosts,disaffected could stragglers. afford to beIt aggressive was with somein some dim degree notion againstof this thesort smiththat, whenwith— he was next down at the smiddy, he fell on to “Maybe“ Nyod, awthat,” b’lieve said we the sortit smith, yer with nons great at the gravity. Seenit.” “An’ hear;fat did far ye less wi’ a’ them’t they syne? see i’ theFowk newspapers. canna believeBut fan a’’t ye they hed a han’ in’t yersel’, ye ’ll be able to tell’s a’ aboot it.” aisters—they’ve“ Ou weel, it naewas bizziness jist to keep there.” oot that quod saccra min- settin’“ Oh, doon.” aw thocht it was the non-intrusionists’t ye wus “Na,“ Weel, Mains; an’ arena some they o’them’s the vera aswarst gweed kin’ ‘constitutional’o’ them ?” kirk“ menHoot, as dinna yersel’.” ye try to gar me believe that. Foo wud thev MAINS OF YAWAL AT THE SYNOD. 161 yonbe pitten Aiberdeen oot than nons ? made,An’ they cryin’ war a’ pittenkin’ o’ oot, orra an’ jaw a bonnyi’ the vera din kirk;timmer stan’in’ wark.” up o’ the seats, an’ aiven brakin’ some o’ the that“Ay, the dayman, aifter it’s yea serioushed fleggit case them it’s awa’,like. aneBut o’ Ithe was Seenit taul’ ‘sincereinform’t prayers’the meetin’ for thethat misguidit he hed fowk.that nichtNae offer’tdoot ye’veup his a’ beenThe as min’fu’smith atspoke yer privatethis very devotions.” deliberately, and when he paused,they met, Mains an’ the merely blessin’ said, ere “ they Ou, brakay, they up.” heeld a prayer fan fowk’t’s“Jist that;been therean’ though ’ll be ablewe cannato gi’e’s hae a Seenitsword in sittin’ sizzon aye, as weel’sthe bows.” the benefit o’ their prayers, gin we be lickly to gae owre wouldMains not did unwillingly not altogether have relishallowed this kirk train matters of remark, to drop and again.smiddy atBut, that unhappily moment. forIt washim, notJohnny necessary Gibb for entered the smith the toMains apply himself his match seemed to to the have tinder an uncomfortable in Johnny’s breast;dread of and an explosion.“ cheery,” andHe to tried lead nota conversation very skilfully on orother successfully subjects. toThe be thingsmith verysimply like did snappish. not back Athim, last and he Johnnyput to MainsGibb wasthe rathersome- unceremonious“ Hae ye repentit interrogation— o’ that oonrichteous vote yet ? Or is yourwi’ that conscience reid-het sockas seart plate as ?” though the smith hed scaum’t it replied“ Hoot, Mains, Gushets, who was ye disposedtak’ a’thing rather owre to besair amicable in eernest,” than the “Owrereverse. muckle in eernest!” exclaimed Johnny, “owre muckleseP to sairin eemest! the purposes An’ you o’ agyaun set o’an’ carnal, makin’ wor’dly-min’et a teel o’ yer- rascals;to deprive gi’ein’ ten times your votebetter at menthe biddin’nor him o’ or a thepeer like seecophant, o’ him o’ i’the the preevileges Word o’ Gweed,that belang or ony to vailuethem, gini’ the there conten’in’s be ony trowtho’ oor forefaders.”“ Ou weel, it wunna hairm nae ane i’ this pairt o’ the kwintra,defend his at position.ony rate,” said Mains, with hardly an attempt to 162 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. “ Dinna tell me, min. It’s accurs’t, reet an’ brainch. struggleThere’s yersel’,nor that ’t turkiskens naei’ the mair smith’s aboot sheein the prenciplesbox, gyaun o’ awa' the into Aiberdeendecidin’ the like question, a wull chucken,fan ye’re an’ jist preten’in’ han’in’ yersel’to tali’ owre,pairt wesowl see an’ thebody, tither to dee fan mischief. that vicious, That’s ill-gatet the tae ablach, pairt Hadden,;o’’t; an’ o’mak’s yer kirk’imsel’ pawtrons the willin’ an’ enstrumentmoderate minaisters.” to cairry oot the tyranny timeMains Johnny had had got finished very hot this in theextremely face and violent even speech.angry by theHe tonedid not declared give anythat formal he “ wudna reply, stan’however, that faebut naein aman.” rather loud Gibb,“Stan”t as he turned or no’s away ye tolike, direct it’s the the smith trowth,” about said some Johnny bit of work.After this passage, the Kirk question was allowed to rest Yawalfor the entertained time being. a prettyBut from distinct that grudge date onwardagainst hisMains neigh- of bour,A Gushetneuk.month thereafter the Disruption had occurred, and arrangementsJohnny Gibb madehad atfor noa Freelittle Kirkexpenditure service inof hisenergy bam, got; to be keptobtained. up, if not regularly, as frequently as “supply" could CHAPTEE XXVIII. THE FREE KIRK OF PYKETILLIM. ^wT was not Johnny Gibb’s intention to be a Disruption body ofleader, Pyketillim yet henon-intrusionists had become sonot demerely facto. conceded The small that positionthey would to him,have butgathered without into him any it may compacted be doubted form whether at alL wouldTo say not that be hetrue; felt becausehis leadership Johnny todid be not an feel onerous it in one burden way heor another,prepared did his notbarn indeed as a place know of that meeting, he was when leader. he travelled When onPresbyterian foot six or Churchseven weary of Scotland,” miles to ato Presbytery negotiate offor the a supply“ Free aof certain preachers, sum and,in contributions—though to promote that, boldly Johnny undertook in all thisto raise was friendscarrying could out a or work would which have very carried likely out, no heone was else simply among doing his Johnnywhat seemed had all to thelie timenaturally the firmestto his handpossible to do.conviction Of course that henot was very doing ample what with was those right, who while, had less perhaps, decided his opinions patience than was hiscomfort own. ofAnd Peter I Birse,daresay senior, it would if he have could tended have greatlybeen inspired to the with“cause.” a tithe Peter of Johnny’shad, perforce, belief beenin, andriven fervency away fromfor, the Sabbath“auld kirk after and, Sabbath, as he accompaniedto “the conventicle,” Mrs. Birse as and Jonathan family,. Tawsedid he castwittily in calledthe direction it, at Gushetneuk, of the kirk road,many alonga wistful which glance the formsthe distance. of his oldAs familiar a last despairing friends were effort, to Peterbe seen had wending pleaded— in the “hoose Keep’s, o’ Gweed’oman, freely—mithnait wud be a byous I gae thing up bye to filesbrak’ ?” aff fafr “To“ Weel, gae it yer wudna leen, luikno ?” sae glaurin like, ye ken.” hear“ An’the Gospelmuckle there,”better yesaid wud Mrs. be Birse.o’ that; it ’ll be lang ere ye 164 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. “ Weel, but ye ken Hairry, ’t was sic a ban’, ’s been gyaun maist“ Humph, pairt sin’ Hairry! there wasHe’s word some o’ Sirmark, Seemon or than cornin’ no. hame.”An’ye wird lat Dawvid Hadden fleyyou back to the hoose o’ bond- age “neist Ou, ?”it’s nae him; but ye ken Hairry Muggart gaed a hantle“ Ah, forder weel, a-lenth ae turnkwite’s nor ever aneuch,”I did aboot said that Mrs. kirk Birse, wark.” scorn- fully. wasPeter’s true that statement Hairry wasMuggart, mainly in correct a sore instrait point how of fact.to carry It onout hishis headconvictions, the wrath and of at Sir the Simon same Frissal,time avoid had calling come todown the ■conclusion that the Disruption was rather a hasty and ill-con- heldsidered by step.as ever—so His principles Hairry loudly? Oh, averred—butyes, they were why as staunchly not keep assailwithin thethe citadelwalls of of the Erastianism?—it national Zion, andwould at samebe gained time stoutly“come proposaltime.” So was said not Hairry: even mooted and I inam much not surehigher whether quarters, a similar at the laidlast meetingclaim to ofbeing the “distinctively Convocation,” the by true some representatives who have since of theology,Free Church and thoseprinciples. fledgling Besides, parsons Hairry of Johnny was Gibb’s,an adept while in best,he was were pleased hardly to preparedhear the tolads supply at a chancethe strong time meat doing that their he desiderated.he, in his own Accordingly,person, was aHairry sort of left concrete it to be understoodembodiment that of pendentthe establishment spiritual jurisdiction. principle combined So he generallywith the theory countenanced of inde- discourse,the Rev. Andrew and then, Sleekaboot in an unofficial at the delivery way, would of his hebdomadalstep quietly S downat such to irregular Gushetneuk hour toas hear might a sermonhappen, preachedweek-day inor theSunday. bam ‘ andJohnny thus it cameGibb’s to other pass friendsthat after stuck a summer together of wonderfully;preaching in ofthe worship barn, Johnny must be took had. it inIt hiswas head autumn that ; Sira permanent Simon was place now j aat site.home, It and was wherefore argued, in should reply, he that not the be mancalled who upon had to sane- give |I estimation,tioned the turning a schismatic, out of theirwas teacher,not in thebecause least helikely, was, inin thishis ofpractical schismatics. way, to promote“ He ocht the to establishmentbe taul’s duty of at a ony congregation rate ; an’ THE FREE KIRK OF PYKETILLIM. 16$. lat oor consciences be clear’t,” said Johnny Gibb, and the sen- i1 timentand Sandy was re-echoedPeterkin, whoseby none season’s more warmly labour, than in default by the ofgudge any-r t thingturnips in at the Gushetneuk, pedagogue and way, officiating had consisted as raker chiefly during in harvest. hoeing f, Sir SoSimon. Johnny This Gibb they and did the without souter wereloss ofdeputed time, andto wait were upon re- : ceived“ We by ’re the here, stately Sir baronetSeemon, in to his see library, gin we with can greatget a dignity.bit sect ony“ gate.” A what, John ?” asked Sir Simon, severely. “A reed or twa o’ grun to be a stance for a place o’' ftI worship,”“John answeredGibb, let meJohnny. tell you, once for all, that the course youdisapprobation. have been following I understand, for some on time credible past hasinformation, my strongest that youschismatical have been movement—” a ringleader in this most mischievous and Sir “Seemon. It’s been thatOnly creatur, that’s nedderDawvid here Hadden, nor there.” ’t’s taul ye that,. good“ Iorder ’ll allow of noa quiet, interruptions, well-conducted sir! Disturbing parish, by the bringing peace and a set “We’veof fanatics been into deeinit, to deludefat we ignorantcud to getpeople.” them taucht, Sir Seemon,“You baith teach in them buik !”leemin an’ the prenciples o’ the Gospel.” Johnny,“ Na, whona; wasdinna now tald fighting me up histill Iway fa’,' toSir a Seemon,”broader issuesaid gweedthan he skweel; had at afirst thing meant that tothere raise. was “muckle But we need hed for,set asup a’a tothe tell pairis’ ye that;kens; an’though that maybeaisp never naebody’s haltit wi’ been ’s ill kin’ win’ aneuch an’ ’s clypes,times owre till he nor gat the the pairis’man turn’t dominie oot thatever waswas—speer o’ mair eese at onyten ane’t“ I ye cannot like.” argue with you, sir, about the management of my “property,” Weel, weel; said it’sSir butSimon. richt’t ye sud ken the haill heids yean’ ’re particulars nae lickly for to getance, owre fan correct we ’re newsat it. faeAn’ them’t aw’m ye thinkin’ lippen maist“ I tillsuppose here.” your business with me is at an end ?” said Sir beenSimon, standing with dignity, in the rising library as floor if to allshow the hiswhile, visitors, out. who had i66 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. answered“ Deed, Johnnyit doesna Gibb, luik in like no bein’way abashed.weel begun, “ We’veSir Seemon,” gotten nae “answer, Answer mair to what, or less.” sir ?” ony“ convainient We made a spot ceevil to bigrequest, a bit Sirkirk Seemon, upon.” for a stance at pose“ Buildthat I’lla church allow ? peopleWhat followingdo you mean, fanatical sir ? andDo youdivisive sup- ascourses soon toforfeit erect my a meetingallegiance place to Her within Majesty the parish. the Queen.” I would persecutors“Ou weel,” o’ the answered trowth faeJohnny the daysGibb, o’ “there’sHerod an’ aye afore’t. been neednaBut it winna think it,be Sirpitten Seemon. doon wi’A goodyou norday.” nae ither ane, ye portunityAnd so to Johnnyopen his and lips the during souter—who the interview—made had found no their op- obeisance,Simon Frissal, which and called withdrew. forth no response whatever from Sir it wouldThe deputationhave been had a hopeless thus no casefavourable with the report Pyketillim to give; non-and cornerintrusionists of the had parish it not there so happenedwas a bit ofthat land at theof novery very extreme great extent,to a laird but ofon morewhich plebeian there were extraction a few houses, than Sir that Simon, belonged and timewho livedmade atadvances some distance. to Sir Simon The and plebeian been lairdsnubbed had forat onehis onpains. learning He thereforethe position bore of the affairs, baronet was no not great sorry goodwill; to find that,and groundby ceding with to somethe Freeold buildingsChurch folksupon ait, little he couldbit of have barren the opportunitywas not that ofhe materiallyloved the Freeannoying Kirk more,Sir Simon but that FrissaL he loved It enoughSir Simon terms. less, andUpon therefore this very he inconvenient gave the site spot, on reasonablewhich was build.nearly twoNext miles spring distant the buildingfrom Gushetneuk, was set about, it was the resolved goodman to pletionof Gushetneuk of the kirk, devoting the design a deal ofof whichtoil and was trouble a good to dealthe com- less elaborateincidents ofand the costly kirk thanbuilding has becomewere very common much since.of the kindThe commonSir Simon at the Frissal, time. the lord of the Manor, had again left theDawvid locality Hadden before naturally it was known felt the that responsibility a site had been that laygot, upon and THE FREE KIRK OF PYKETILLIM. 167 I\ iimplenitude of looking of his goodafter nature,the ongoings Braeside, of though the “ nons.”an elder Inof the |!3 lational yokin ” kirk,of his had horses gone and to Gushetneuk,carts to assist and in offeredthe heavy to give busi- a poeeni less ofaye driving richt material:gweed neebours.” “ For,” saidAnd Braeside, the offer “ thehad fowk’s been |I .cceptedmdna won’er with greatto see frankness you in oor by kirk Johnny yet, man,”Gibb, whoat which added, Brae- “ I It ideiraeside’s shrugged friendly his deedshoulders become and public, “leuch.” than DawvidNo sooner Hadden, had u[ ousingated with himself Mains to aof senseYawal. of dutyMains, in thewho, matter, from communi-about the tateate ofof theconsiderable Synod, had, sourness as already towards mentioned, his Free remained Kirk neigh- in a iours,art of agreed Braeside, that andthe actreadily was extremelyundertook unprincipledto speak about on the it uietlyoubt, wouldto his brother“ sort ” Braesideelder, Jonathan in proper Tawse, style forwho, what he hadhe had no ccurredeen about. when But he discoveredthe greatest that explosion Johnny Gibb’son Dawvid’s carting forcepart eapas actuallyof that employedmaterial, thedriving accumulation sand for theof “masons spates,” from in the a drdlarch aforesaid. bum between He nowSir boldlySimon’s went property and orderedand that them of the to foreman,”op. It was who Tam was Meerison, loading his who carts still atremained the time; Clinkstyle’s and Tam lid—“Na, sang aw, Dawvid. As lang’s I’ve Gushetneuk’s rderstifishers to i’full the san’, kingdom.” it’s nae you’t ’ll stop me, nor a’ the gran- ick.”It wasTam in saidvain he that might Dawvid get a vapoured“ dizzen o’ aboutenterdicks,” an “ enter- if his icantime.iste lay that The way, result but he was would that take Dawvid his loads at once of sand wrote in theSir imon,1 say, putand, on as the Jock outside Will, of from his letterhis public the word position, “ Hast.” was Jockable asirewdly, observant, and his and conclusion could put by-and-by this and wasthat thattogether the answer pretty flawvid telling received him to mindfrom Sirhis Simonown business, was something and not in be the perpetu- nature idlingly meddling more withwas heardwhat didof Dawvid’snot lie in hisinterdict, way. andAt anythe rate,new iticedrk was in finishedits proper and place. occupied in due course, as will be CHAPTER XXIX. A CHANGE OF TIME. t PERIOD of three years had elapsed without bringing affairs, anyalthough very materialPyketillim alteration had seen in one the orgeneral two changes aspect ofin itsLangchafts, peaceful hadcommunity. disappeared Our from old theacquaintance, locality. The Andrew truth atwas the that Kirktown Andrew altogether had not foundsuch athe lucrative business one of as “merchan’" he had at placeone time were anticipated, too staid andit might sober be. to appreciateProbably the the people enlightened of the if commercial principles on which his business was conducted, 1 “or entrepot,” to avail thoughthemselves they hadsufficiently been in theof thehabit, resources some of ofthem, his -j besides“ leading Mrs. articles Birse, ” which of setting Andrew on offeredsomewhat at a resolutely manifest “on sacri- the i themfice.” veryThe far misfortune in that department was that he of never superior succeeded soft goods in leading which hetheir had wants, endeavoured as well asto cultivate.their practical The andprimitive economic character habits, of repleteforbade thanit. And fashionable. so this department Jock Will, came too, in whocourse had to bereached more i theto push status his of way a fully further matriculated south, which shopman, was a greathad left blow Andrew, to the I considerablymerchan’, seeing greater Jock than had his acquired own. anIn aptitudeshort, Andrew for business^ Lang- beenchafts, gradually finding thattending things to didgreater not meetslovenliness his expectations, in his habits, had times,He took though a deal nobody of snuff, ever and, saw it was Andrew said, adrunk; little whisky and he some- was ■ apt to let the shop run out of this or the other commodity. sionMrs. ofBirse, the withsituation, her wonted and in sagacity, a quiet hadcommuning a clear comprehen- with Miss Eliza“Ah, Birse weel, she they expressed may say herself fat they thus like; :— but I ’se warran’ that locn Wull hed ta’cn’s nain o’ the peer stock afore he leeft ’im.” A CHANGE OF TIME. 169 f “Speer“ Mamma, at fatWidow makes Wull ye think fat wye that s/it ?” askedpaid forMiss that Birse. braw I aFrench velvet merino’tbonnet—she she's wud been need skyrin it!” in this towmon noo ; an’ “ Weel,But he weel, was shopman,I’m seer he’san’ would weel getoot themo’ the at roadprime at cost.” ony rateMary ; Howiefor that as saft lang’s breet, he Peter, was i’ wudthe gate’a never wi’ ’s madesleekit it tongue.” oot wi’ manner.”“ Oh, mamma, don’t be always speakin’ of Peter in that nae“ langerLat that syne gang nor than. the nichtAt ony afore rate, the Meg streen Raffan that taul An’ro me gi’eLangchafts up the chopwas a’thegitherjist at the gae-lattin,ere lang. andNoo, wud ye licklyken, he need has toa hantlewarran’ o’ gin rael a gweedbody war claith to gaeupo’ in yon wi’ backa poun’ skelfs; note an’or twaI ’se i’ theiryon’er, han’ gin he he sudna gat the be offer that o’mealy siller." mou’t about the best that’s “ ButOu, fatye ken,wud yerbe thebreeders’s use o’ buyin’ never pieces oot o’ o’the cloth?” need o’ new aclaes. genteel There’s buzness, Benjie, maun noo hae that a spare he’s stan’livin’ ori’ thetwa toon, ; an’ leerninforbye theI’ve tailor been docketthinkin’ the ’t tailsthat greyo’ the /^r-nothing ither year, ’so’ jist yer growin’fader’s, somethat likeaul’ fashion’t,o’ that. Awataiven forit’s himbeen ; yea richtsee genteel thrifty fowkcoat, noticesfor it wasthe bochtthere’s the little vera eese winter o’ a gweedthat Benjie thing forwas the spean’t; like o’ him,and it’sthough jist eenoo’tanswer thefowk’s purpose.” lickly to get a rug o’ something that wud rateThere attempted is no to reason carry outto doubtthe proposal that Mrs. here Birse outlined. had at anyBut whatPyketillim took byher, surprise, as well wasas sundryto learn others in a offew the months people that of in-tradeAndrew andLangchafts the goodwill had comeof his tobusiness, terms forthe hispurchaser whole stock-being a nonesomething other smartenedthan his oldin manner apprentice, since Jock he left Will. the locality,And Jock, but ; stillchuckle retaining as of old,his undemonstrativewas speedily settled aspect, as the and merchan’ his quiet, of softthe t fromKirktown. the dayHow Jock it was,Will nobody commenced could havebusiness told probably,and Andrew but Langchafts retired, the shop had more of the aspect of busi- < ’ ness aboutM it; and very soon the public were compelled to 170 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. recognise in Jock, who had “flitted” his mother to the Kirk- obliging,town as theand head thriving of hisbusiness domestic man. establishment, a capable, M‘AulAt Gushetneuk,had acted as too, Johnny some Gibb’s changes principal had taken servant place. for Willie seve- ralstage years, that heand “ wudthen, nedder as Johnny baud averred,nor bin’ hewi’ hadtry in’ got new to prot- the ticks,”“ Ou, in weel,the way man, of farmingan’ foo sudnaand farm he getimplements. an iron pleuch as weel’s anither ?” asked Mrs. Gibb. Hairry“ A timmerMuggart’s ane’s as gweedsair’t me a pleuch-vricht’sfor therty year therean’ mair is i’; thean’ kwintra“ Ou side,”ay, but replied it's the Johnny. fashion, ye ken; an’ Hairry an’ you tee’s grown some auP style, maybe.” Johnny,“ Weel, “ you weel; an’ theI ’ll lassie’s be naething jist as butill’s deav’the is. abootIt’s a keeriousit,” said thingThis that meant ye sud that baith Johnny tak’ ’s hadside concededto argue methe oot iron o’’t.” plough, justthe sameas he combinedhad been influence.induced to Butconcede while otherJohnny things would under not grumble,yield a pointhe was in secretlythis way not without ill pleased something to witness very the likespirit a ofthings enterprise very much manifested according by histo his servant, own mind. who reallyIn due conducted course, largedhowever, experience Willie M'Aul in husbandry announced by his obtaining intention an of engagement seeking en- with“An’ a leading fa’ll I farmerget i’ yerin anotherplace, laddie?”asked locality. Johnny Gibb. ““Tam Ou, Tam, Meerison, maybe ye ?” saidmean—wud Willie M‘Aul,he be tentatively.willin’ to come “Weel,“Willin’! we’ve jist gi’eseen ’im Tam the chance,saucy aneuch an’ ye’ll aboot see.” bidin’ here ere “noo.” Oh ay, but Tam’s turn’t owre anither leaf sin’ him an’ metoon.” sleepit i’ the aul’ chaumerie thegither, an’ Jinse aboot the “ Dargin,Faur is hean’ ?” livin’ asked in Johnny.a bit hoosie near the fit o’ the hill. I ’ll Tamspeak Meerison aboot it tilland ’im Jinse, gin ye his like.” wife, were “liftit” in no ordinaryGushetneuk, degree, for whichat the they prospect were indebtedof Tam togetting Tam’s backold tor- to A CHANGE OF TIME. 171 mentor. And thus the matter had been settled. Willie M'AuI hadplace left had on been amicable supplied terms by Tam to push Meerison, his way who in waslife, nowand thehis fatherhusband, of aand family esteemed of three. Jinse Tam just aswas highly a really as theaffectionate day she becamemeasure hisParadise wife. regained,Therefore whenit seemed he had to thehim kind to beof workin a dayand whenby day Johnny which Gibb he liked not merelyand was did fully not competentgrudge his togoing do, offspringonce-a-week heartily to see welcome his family, to butspend made a day Jinse at DeansGushetneuk and her at all timesIt came when about they afterchose this to do that so. a certain portion of the these“ tacks was ” on theSir Simonfarm ofFrissal’s Gushetneuk. property Conjecture,ran out; and therefore, amongst wasSome naturally wondered rife whether on the subjectJohnny ofGibb Johnny would Gibb’s wish “ tohaudin’.” retake hood,it, some after whether what Johnny,had come in andthat gone,case, towould moot have the thesubject hardi- to wouldSir Simon. have muchAt any difficulty, rate, it did in thenot circumstances,seem likely that in Sir deciding Simon how to deal with such a troublesome character. CHAPTER XXX. MEG RAFFAN ENTERTAINS DAWVID HADDEN. fO say that Mrs. Peter Birse was a careful and far-seeing affairs.matron Her capacityis perhaps for managementhardly necessary was felt at tothis some stage extent of in connection with the Free Kirk congregation of Pyketillim, forClinkstyle had she to notbring once forward and again the preacher got the whendog-cart they sent had fromonly beenchance privileged “supply;"had to pass nota night certain or more of the under supplies her roof; obtained and now that the congregation had the stated services of a pro- misinganiel MacCassock, and well-favoured was not young Miss probationer,Birse, with thethe concurrenceRev. Nath- ofher her aid sagacious as a zealous mother, lady thecollector. first to Mrs.come Birse forward made and much give of Mr. MacCassock, the probationer, and failed not, as she privilegedfelt moved inthereto, having to amongst remind the them people a man that of theysuch weregifts. highly But itMrs. was Birse’s in the talent more forprivate diplomacy or domestic was best phase seen. of herIt is life known that platedto the attentivea very judicious reader, thatarrangement she had somefor the years establishment ago contem- in retirementlife of her eldest from son,active Peter, life and,of herself as subsidiary and her to husband. that, the virtualThe possessionplan involved, at Gushetneuk. too, the retirement And now of thatJohnny Johnny’s Gibb leasefrom washis aboutSo tothought expire, the the goodwife time to carry of Clinkstyle, out the scheme and she was considered at hand. it rightA little to take before measures the Lammas accordingly. rent time, Meg Raffan had onceMrs. agaiftBirse, theand pleasure on the eveningof drinking of thea quiet day whencup of the tea rentswith hiswere way intimated homeward, as payable, found DawvidMeg’s hospitality Hadden, asso he cordial passed and on occupiedpressing that,the rather before unwonted he well position knew what of guest he wasto the about, henwife. he MEG RAFFAN ENTERTAINS DAWVID HADDEN. 173 sitting in the arm-chair in the furthest “ ben ” corner of her house,comfort. while Meg busied herself in ministering to his physical had“Yer emptied health, a bottleaw wuss, of reaming Dawvid,” home-brewed said Meg, alewhen into she a setcouple the ofother tumblers, handy whereof for Dawvid she liftedHadden one ; in“ heraw’m hand, richt having glaici totowmon,” see ye. continuedI'm seer the ye henwife.hinna faul’t yer fit i’ my hoose this ness“ Weel,tak’s me.it’s butYer seldom vera good that health,I gae onyMrs. gate Raffan, cep faur an’ luckbuz- theto the ale, fools. “that’s N-ay!” worth quoth ca’in’ Dawvid, ale—that after gars a goodlya body’s pull lugs at crack.”“Weel, ye see, I can nedder dee wi’ a jilp o’ treacle bree, There’snor yet wi’naething that brewery like a starn stuff gweedthat some maut, fowk maskit mak’s i’ yer eese nain o’. yerbowie, drap an’ noo. a bunchie Aw’m o’seer wormit ye maun to gi’e’t be thristy a bit asgrip—tak’ weel’s tirtoot atoitin bit shaltaboot to amo’ cairry that you rent no.” fowk a’ day. Ye raelly wud need asseer“ It’s ye,” nae said little Dawvid. traivel that“ I’ve tak’s nae a fyouerbody owre nor twa-an’-foortythe grun, I ’se entimations“ Eh, ay; to that’s gi’e ilka weel time.” min’et,” replied the henwife, “ an’ foo “mony Lat me o’ yersee—a’thegither tacks rins oot there’s at this onlyturn aboot?” half-a-dizzen, encloodin’“ Dear me,Hairry aw Muggart’sihocht the craftcrafts an’ hedna the smith’s tacks, butan’ souter’s.”jist gaed on superannuat“Ay, but that’s like ?”oon’er nae lethal obligation,” answered Dawvid,“An’ drily.fat’ll ye be deein wi’ the bodie Gibb’s placie at Gushetneuk“ Weel, I ? ”hinna pursued jist Meg.luiket at“ It’sthe oot,maitter aw b’lieve.”vera particular theyet, grun,I’ve hedI ’ll soneed muckle ’a be onat thehan’. road But wi’ an the the chyne crap towar mizzour aff o’ aff some“ It’s o’sic that a noughty bits o’ places, little bitan’ haudin’.lat Sir Simon Sudna ken ye fat jist to pitdee.” it tee “to Weel, the like ov o’coorse Clinkstyle, there ’ll an’ be mak’ a cheenge a richt at fairm it at onyat ance rate— ?” but there’s a fyou year o’ Clinkstyle to rin yet; an’ fat eese: best.”wud Peter Birse hae for mair grun ? The man’s lang past s 174 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. pin’“ lads Keep o’ me, sins Dawvid, at hame.” ye ’re foryettin that he has twa strap- trowth,“ Ou, Meg, weel, though lat them I ees’t luik ootto think some Peterither gate.Birse aTo saft tell weel- the ’imdispos’t ilka breet—an’ither gloamin—that wud ’a been wife owre o’ hisbye has to sichae a aswye newse owre wi’ years,’im an’ cep ’s so fan contermin’t my buzness that tyeuk I hinna me.” been naar the place for shaking“ Na, herDawvid, head towith hear much ye say’t!” solemnity. exclaimed “That’s Meg theRaffan, wye nichtthat ill-will oot o’ begins. ’er nain Dearmou’ me,speakin’ didna about I jist you, hear and ’er theremorsin tither asair richt that able they creatur, sud never Maister see yeHadden, owre bye, an’ a‘ Ay,’ richt says humoursome. she, ‘ he’s fa’sThere’s a better fyou jeedge,o’ yer buik-leern’t Dawvid, nor fowk Mrs. like Birse—ye him,’ says winna she. An’say that“ black’sOu weel,” the said fite o’Dawvid, /itr e’e.” whose vanity was visibly flat- theytered, gaed “ I neveron aboot hed thatnae ill-wullnon-intrusion—” at the ’oman. But ye ken foo that“Hoot, buys beef Dawvid, buys banes,’fowk sudnaas the keepaul’ by-word up um’rage. says.” ‘Them fawvour“Ou ay;to nane but I’mo’ that perfeckly Free Kirkseer fowk.Sir Simon Ye ken’ll gi’e foo nae he orderk that creatur Peterkin to be turn’t aflf, ’t’s been gaen gaeaboot yet; like lat a mesupplicant tell ye that;sin’ syne; or than an’ my there’s name’s severals nae Hadden.” ’ll hae to the “air Hear of one ye whome, hasDawvid something Hadden,” important said the to communicate,henwife, with lichtand drawingthat I taula little ye. nearerBut it’sas shetrue spoke,that ye “Ye say maunnathat Peter lat toBirse’s me as growin’an’aul’fail’t muckle’s that they sudstock. be thinkin’Noo, Mrs. o’ gi’en Birse owre mintit the fuskers—an’place to the themsel’saul’est sin, gyaun Peter—yon to some stootlesser chap, wye wi’o’ deein, the fite or a genteel hoose wi’ a bit craft, for easedom i’ their aul’ age. says• Awat, she. fat needsAn’for fowk that forfecht maitter, themsel’s the sin’s fan nae they a Freehae plenty,’Kirker ava.”“ Ou nae !” exclaimed Dawvid, incredulously. at nae“ Na, kirk, weel-a-wat though the no. Miss He’s is anever gryte beenNon, a an”s commeenicant said to be toweel them.” on wi’ that fair-hair’t chappie, MacCassock, that preaches MEG RAFFAN ENTERTAINS DAWVID HADDEN. 175 “ Ou yea; a bonny bargain the like o’ ’im wud be. Better till ’er“ Weel, tak’ aneweel, o’ ’erDawvid. fader’s pleughmen.”Ye ken ‘ an ’oman’s wut’s in her foreheid,’on’s ; we ”’re said a’ feelishMeg, jocularly.mair or less “ fan Ye menmaunna fowk be comes owre i’hard the wyeandWhen Dawvid Meg bridled Hadden up had like left any for other his home,interesting Meg female. Raffan endsthought of herwith friend,herself Mrs. that Birse,she had pretty succeeded fairly. inShe serving had not,the possessionperhaps, convinced of Gushetneuk Dawvid to of the the farm propriety of Clinkstyle, of attaching but shethe statehad a of shrewd mind innotion which that he wasshe nothad unlikely brought toDawvid yield himself into that to thematron furtherance might haveof Mrs. opportunity Birse’s design of more so soon directly as that operating astute uponportunity him, there and wasthat notshe the would least in reason due season to doubt. find such op- unconsciousMeanwhile, of theJohnny arrangement Gibb plodded that was on inin hiscontemplation wonted style, to relieveneuk. him from the cares of active life as farmer of Gushet- CHAPTER XXXI. THE ELECTION OF ELDERS. £\yjW^HEN the Free Kirk congregation of Pyketillim had think of callingg°t in aa pastor,measure it wasconsolidated, considered and desirable had begun to form to aservices regular of kirk-session, two elders as for occasion hitherto required, they had one merely of these had being the the souter, Roderick M'Aul, who had been ordained at a by- gonehad quitetime beforesafely hebeen came accepted to Pyketillim, as “ indelible,” and whose and “orders” another elderFree Churchman.belonging to Soa neighbouring Mr. MacCassock, parish, the who probationer, had turned ex- changedPresbytery, pulpits who forread a Sunday“the edict” with thefor moderatorthe election of theof threeFree meetnew elders on the and succeeding five deacons, evening and toinvited nominate the congregation fit and proper to persons.The election was a new experience in the quarter, and it thatcaused it woulda good be deal a very of speculation. ludicrous farceJonathan if it were Tawse not declaredthat the thingDrogemweal, so nearly swore bordered at this on aspect profanity, of it evenand inhis the friend, presence Dr. twoof the friends Rev. Mr.were Sleekaboot, at the time. under Nevertheless, whose hospitable there roof was the a goodlying, females turn-out as ofwell the as congregation males. Mrs. at Birsethe nomination was there, meet- and beenPeter someBirse, pains senior, bestowed along onwith Peter’s her. toilet;There hehad was evidently under- thestood upper to be part arrayed of his in person ecclesiastical was uncommonly black, and, carefully in particular, done threateningup, with a shirt his “ears, neck” and of his formidable hair combed dimensions into a andsort stiffnessof cleri- onlycal flatness other membervery different of the from Clinkstyle its ordinary family ragged present state. was The the thissecond history son, previously.Rob Birse, whoIndeed, has itsimply would been be difficultmentioned to say in THE ELECTION OF ELDERS. 177 anything more of Rob than simply mention his existence. undemonstrativeHe was a lad who way was at contentClinkstyle—a to vegetate sort ofon new in anand entirely some- whathibited duller any editioncharacter of hiswhatever. father, soHe far was as he rarely had hithertostirred into ex- aggressiveanything like action mental of hisactivity, mother except and itsister. might Itbe was through by their the somewhatorders that at he the came hardship to the ofcongregational being obliged meeting, to do so. grumbling duringMrs. the Birse opening maintained devotions. a demonstratively She and her husband devout attitudesat in a whopew wellhad cometo the up front, to theand meeting behind themin their sat company—andHairry Muggart— the mole-catcher.The Moderator, in opening the business, pointed out the forduties that required office, and of thethen elders asked and the the meeting qualities to nominatethat fit a suchman as they deemed suitable. Forthwith, the smith rose and no- himself,minated andJohnny both Gibb,the nominations then somebody were dulynominated seconded. the smithThen therenations was of amen pause of known; and the piety Moderator and zeal, invited and of further unblemished nomi- life,station. no matterAnother how pause poor ;they and mightMrs. Birsebe, or sighed how humblewith impres- their mole-catchersive solemnity, started and up,laid and her with head a preliminary on one side. “ hem,” Then said— the pass“Maister owre Moderawtor,fae eleckin to there’s be an aneel’yer. that He’s I think’t vera weelwe canna kent he’sto a’ naehere ane present; that wud an’ weel-wordypit ’imsel’ forrit. o’ siccan But a my office, opingan though is thatBirse he’s kicked been Peter, aye owre who bauch had been in’s looking nain beheef.” very uneasy, (Here in Mrs. the self.)ribs with “But her elbow,ae wye making or ither,” him pursuedsit upright the and mole-catcher, show him- “freen though to the he causehasna in ta’en this muckleneebourheid.” direck pairt,(Mrs. he’s Birse been modestly a great aw’mlooked sure to theI needna floor, mak’and ashook speech, her though head.) aw “cud Moderawtor, dee’t; ye a’Maister ken MaisterAlexir Peterkin.” Peterkin as weel’s me—I beg till propose severityAt this approaching announcement to violence, Mrs. Birse and drew Peter, herself who uphad with kept a uncomfortablewatching her movements than before. with the“The tail”general ofhis audience eye, looked signified more i78 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. theirGibb approbationstarting to his of feetthe mole-catcher’ssaid, “ I sec-ond proposal, the motion.” and Johnny mindedThen the there meeting was anotherthat though pause; the numberand the ofModerator elders abso- re- lutelyopen torequired anybody had to nowpropose been one nominated, or more additionalyet it was candi- quite thedates congregation ; and he had well no qualified doubt thereto discharge were other the dutiesmembers of the of eldership.space back Uponhad evidently this, Hairry been Muggart, meditating who a forspeech, some swung short “himself Maister to Moderawtor,his feet by the I perfecklyaid of the agree pew desk,wi’ your and opingansaid :— thatamon’; there or ochtelse fat’sto be the ane eese or twao’ the owre prenciples an’ abeen, o’ spiritooal to wale forefadersoondependence, conten’it. whuch Moderawtor, I’ve aye mainteen’t, I beg hereby an’ for to whuch exerceese oor tothe be preevilege a partaker wherewith ; an’ in doin’you haveso I haveinveetit to everybring oneone presentoonder servicesthe fawvourable render’t toattention this congregation, o’ this meetin’; which forspeaks the vaeluablefor itsel’; an’it more also difficulthis excellent than partnerhe had inexpected, life.” Hairry, to face who his ratherhad found un- addsympathetic no more audience, at present, and but speak, muv ended that abruptlyMaister with,Peter “Birse, I will fairmerThey at waited Clinkstyle, a little, be buteleckit.” nobody seconded. But the Mo- Birsederator was said added this to was the notlist ofnecessary; elders elect. so theThe name next businessof Peter ofwas Jock to nominate Will coming deacons, first, whichand that was of thespeedily mole-catcher done, the second name youngerin order; men, and were in allnamed. some sevenWhen or all eight, this waschiefly done, of the meetingModerator was had brought conducted to a anotherclose in “exercise”the usual way, in which after the souter,He who who knew at thehis heartsrequest, of took all mightpart, prayedshow themearnestly which that of dealingthese men with He conscience had chosen; on theand part that of there the mightelders beelect, close to towardmake sure this that spiritual the carnal office. man had no place in moving them dressing“An’ Hairrythat’s yerMuggart, meetin’ who no!” had exclaimed kept as closeMrs. byBirse, her ad-as hisgoodwife ponderous flung stylethrough of locomotionthe people wouldas they allow loiteringly whilst dis-the THE ELECTION OF ELDERS. 179 persedken fat fromkin’ o’the a doormoderawtor of the place he is of ; meeting.or foo they “ Isud wud ’a likepitten to anehim thereinto Maister fae the MacCassock’sorraest creatur place. i’ the congregationA man that ?”ken’s nae been“ Weel,”ordeen’t said to beHairry, moderawtor, “ aw b’lieve accordin’ they tomaun the rowleshae ane’t’s o’ the Kirk.“ HumphBut he’s ! deykn nae gryte at it! deykn It atwas it, weel-a-wat.”seerly his duty as a minaisterspectable o’character, the gospel instead to warn o’ themgaen ootto luik o’’s ootgate for to fowk tell themo’ re- weel,that they though mith he deck hinna ony three wil’ ranegill,bawbees or i’ ca’dthe wardleaboot ne’er-do-to bless ’imsel’“ Nae wi’.” doot,” said Hairry, “nae doot. But ye ken they ’re naethem, eleckit or than yet. I won’erFan the at votin’ it. Yecomes see thatI hed ’ll itturn weel the i’ guisemy min’ wi’ erceesetill objeck the toveto Sandy on ’im Peterkin, at ance. an’ But, request as I thewas meetin’sayin’, fanto ex- it,cam’ I hed owre my the nain streen doots i’ thefuther gloamin or no toaw see wud Aer, be an’latt’n spak’ nominal aboot moderawtorPeter—Maister didna Birse, ken’t ye awken. wusna An’ ait regular was jist maimber as weel’t ; butthe ginseer I tohed hae latt’n their at hornSandy, i’ myGushets hip, an’ or theythe soutermith ’a wud refees’t’s ’a been a bearin’“ Weel, a’thegither seerly Gushetneuk syne, ye see.” mith ’a latt’n aleen there no ; fan norhe hedna nane belanginthe menners ’im—fowk’t’s to apen’s licklymou’ for’sto be nearest near conneckit neebour wi’ ’imsel’—I“I thocht kennaGushets fat unco he hed dry adee the nicht,”speakin’ replied for ony Hairry. ane.” Birse.“ An’ “ aMak’ bonny an smiddy el’yer theyo’ the wud like mak’ o’ Sandyo’’t,” continued Peterkin, Mrs. ’t’s livin’o’ that fae peer han’ simple to mou’ vulgar o’ the creaturwull o’ Providence,o’ a mole-catcher an’ a deacon ; it’s raellythe like nae o’ fairthem.” to Maister MacCassock to bid ’im sit doon wi’ Wull,“ Weel, mith no,”dee, saidbut Hairry.” “ The like o’ the merchan’, Jock ony“ preevilege,” An’ aw wud exclaimed like to ken Mrs. fat JockBirse. Wull’s “ Aw’m deen seer to gi’eGushet- him beneuk nominal’, kens weel oot thato’ regaird oor Robbie for fat’s hed sister’s a muckle deen. better Peer richt thing, to monyKirk, anda sair that’s fit hasfowk’s she thank.” traivell’t for the gweed o’ the Free i8o JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. Hairry could only express concurrence in this sentiment. But as he and Mrs. Birse had now reached the point where theirsenior, roads who separated,had fallen somethey pulledlittle way up intoto wait the forrear, Peter he having Birse, catcheractually andstaid some to converse of his friends. for a minute When or he two came with up, the Hairry mole- onassumed his personal the jocular appearance vein, and in hisbegged “ stan’ to o’congratulate blacks,” so Petervery suitable“ Ah, to aw the dinna new ken,dignity Hairry,” that awaited said Peter, him. glancing toward hismay wife. aiven “be The pitten lave’s on seerafore to me.” be eleckit, an’ Sandy Peterkin Hairry,“ Hoot, confidently. Clinkies, that winna bide a bearin’, man,” said dinna“ Bless ye see’t me, man,yer rivin’keep yerthat ban’s black oot clait'h o’ yer doon breek the pouches seam; ; there’sPeter naething withdrew wud his leern hands ye frommenners,” the pockets said Mrs. of hisBirse. eccle- othersiastical good unmentionables night, and went accordingly. on their separate Then ways they homeward. bade each CHAPTER XXXII. DAWVID HADDEN VISITS AT CLINKSTYLE. ^WN the autumn of 184.6, Dawvid Hadden was laboriously Frissal,ti) at with work his on measuring certain parts chain of and the sundrylands ofpoles, Sir oneSimon of Awhich rough-looking had a small “gurk bit of squareov a loon” board carried nailed onthe the end top of of the it. therechain, asand Dawvid fulfilled took Dawvid’s a sight overorders the in square-headed running here pole,and processand then was shouted what Dawvid and waved called his “ layin’ hand aff to the the awcres.” loon. ThisThe results,Simon ; itbut was in whatunderstood, particular were shape all itto mightbe laid be beforehazardous Sir tonothing guess, whatever for there inis thereason way to of believe making that a plan, Dawvid and though could dohe wasoperation great didat “ notcastin’ seem up of ” verythe contents essential of importance a piece of land,in the that re- lettingall carefully of the booked farms, seeingalready. Sir SimonHowever, had it their was variousenough sizesthat DawvidHis operations deemed the at “ this layin time aff” included, of consequence. of course, the farm beof Gushetneuk,at work there, and Mrs. on Birsethe day addressed that Dawvid her washusband expected in this to smiddy,“Noo, an’ man, cast yersel’ye’ll jist in Dawvid’smak’ an roaderran’ fan owre he’s bye aboot to the heidtill's denner,o’ the faul’ies or than ; aforean’ see he an’lowse.” get ’im to come owre edder takin’“ I intowas thejist bamgyaun to awa’ thrash,” to tirr said that Peter, bit huickie not over that anxious we wus to undertake“ Peter theBirse, mission. will ye dee’s“ Cudnin ye ’re some bidden o’ the? A boys het invitationgae ?” an’that you wud gyaun be to abootony ane the ackin toon oon’erthe neist yer thing laird. to Sen’han’ aidle laddie, !” smiddy.“ Weel, I ginwas Dawvid’ll there the come. streen. ButI’ll we’re rather nae gae needin’ owre the to 182 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. Gushets\alla feeder wi’ theworriet probang on a neep.that weAw had ’se the warran’ tither the nicht fowk fan ’ll thebe needin’’t.”“ Geyan lickly gae to Gushets ! As muckle’s ye wud gi’e them.Dawvid Some to oon’erstan’ eese o’ seekiti that we ’im ’re at as that gryte’s rate. creelFan heids will wi’ye leernPeter rumgumption, did not see man it ?”clearly even yet. Only he knew it wasand needlesssearched toout maintain a hayfork further that had debate. got lamed So heof wentone prong, away andthere started and was for on the his smiddy. way home It againwas only that after he found he had Dawvid been RatherHadden to at Peter’sa point wheresurprise, he Dawvidcould be convenientlyproved to be approached.affable in a reasonhigh degree. for this Mrs.; but Birseit was could not to have be expected given Peter that aMrs. probable Birse wouldDawvid feel could it in not the by least any necessary “ menner too’ domeans anything ” come of to the Clink- sort. thenstyle gothat home day and ; for write he had Sir gotSimon to finish; and hishe even“ layin’ hinted aff,” thatand wasthat authorisedmight not exhaustto give Mrs.the “Birse buzness assurance ” before that him he ; butwould Peter be “ athortDawvid the mom’sHadden gloamin,” was essentially without a fail.man of his word in so farcordingly as fulfilment he duly of made his engagements appearance atwas Clinkstyle concerned, as andhe hadac- pointedpromised. at hisI rather putting think the visitthat offMrs. for Birsea day. was It not gave disap- her afterleisure the to meetingmature thingsfor the morenomination fully. ofIt elderswas just ; thea fortnightelection stoodhad taken at the place bottom in theof theinterim, poll. andOn Peterthis occasion Birse, senior, (it was had on anow Wednesday to maintain, evening) had been Peter, instructed who had to no wash clerical his characterface and going,shave (whichwhen the he weeksometimes was only did, half if anything run), and happened then to put to onbe hisDawvid. grey “journeyAll this heclaes,” did, andand thenstep he,up withthe loandue ceremony,and meet intoconducted the best the parlour.ground-officer The roundroom inby questionthe “entry” was doorfinished and ofmuch the inmaster the usual and mistress style, the of thefront house, wall donecarrying at a oilformer portraits date aby sprightly an itinerating young artist, man, when given Peter to sticking Birse was his assumed hand into to thebe DAWVID HADDEN VISITS AT CLINKSTYLE. 183 breast of his black vest, and Mrs. Birse, a blushing beauty, pictorialwho manipulated decorations a roseof the in parlour her slender were the fingers framed ; theprint other of a tudinisingman who waswith eithera sword Sir and William shield, Wallace and the ortraditional Rob Roy, “ sam-atti- urn,pler.” which It was lay laidunder out the for disadvantage tea. An enormous of leaking old-fashioned so badly as piedto compel the centre its presence of the table, there while to be the purely multiplicity ornamental, of crockery occu- mortal.of all sorts Mrs. surrounding Birse was it was dressed enough in toher bewilder black anysilk, ordinary with a blackcollar spreadinglace cap, perfectlyover her shoulders,ablaze with and branches a most formidableof “gum- character.flowers ” of veryShe pronouncedmet Dawvid colours Hadden and uncertainat the half-opened botanical parlouryer weel doorthe nicht,with aMaister gracious, Hadden—jist yet not too leeve familiar yer hat“ I howpi’ the lobbyhe 'was an’ a steplittle in—allootaken aback, me.” andWhen would Dawvid perhaps had have slept felt in hisslightly heels, embarrassed, had stopped as his Peter discourse, Birse, andwho seemedhad shuffled to feel in the at butneed Mrs. of walking Birse came gingerly to the till rescue. the introduction should be over; Eliza“ MyBirse, daachter; who had Maister sat stiffly Hadden, in the corneran auP of freen.” the room Miss till thatto Dawvid moment, Hadden. rose, and, “ Gladwith theto seeair you,”of a polished said Miss lady, Birse. bowed expectDawvid all this, Hadden so much was in not advance easily ofput what out; he buthad hebeen did wont not beento see duly aforetime introduced at Clinkstyle to Miss ;Birse, and byand the had time got that seated he had on the chair placed for him, he almost fancied that his face did notmanifest quite a understoodslight tendency that towardhe came perspiration. there to tea, Dawvidbut tea washad wasordered a great in atdefect once. in theThe appurtenances want of a bell of theto call house the at servant Clink- style,Mrs. Birse’sagainst device which in Misslieu of Birse the bell had was repeatedly to open theprotested. parlour doorshut half-way,the door coughwith a insharp an incidental snap. Tosort “cry of tone, ben” and was then so horriblySo the vulgar damsel that brought it could the not tea be inonce a huge,thought ancient, of. china tea-pot.Mrs. Birse Miss showed Birse no dispensedend of attentions it with toinfinite her guest. grace, Even and 184 JOHNNV GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. andPeter urged Birse Dawvid had latterly to take got several to be demonstrativemore of the small in that biscuits, way, fforentility the reason of which that saying“ ane o’ Miss that’s Birse but alooked bite, man,” shocked at the ; only un- er father was too pleasantly occupied at the time to observe thisWhen very particularly.tea was over, Miss Birse, according to arrange- somement visits.or otherwise, left the party, as she had to go and make though“Ye there see she’sbe a grytejist like differ yersel’ atween there, a man Maister o’ lang Hadden— expairi- onence han’. an’ a Oorlassie—that youngest she laddie, has ayeBenjie, some ’s bizzinessbeen i’ the or toon,’sanider ye Ve“ I maybewusna heard,awaar,” for said several Dawvid. year ?” lawvyers“Ou ay;o’ Aiberdeen—I’ve he’s wi’ a Maister nae dootPettiphog, ye ’ll ken ane him o’ ?”the heid acquant.”“ Weel, no, aw cud hardly say that—we’re jist speakable that“Aweel, was the atlawvyer, ony rate and he’s has aan braw aul’ bizzinessservan’ o’’so’ my nain uncle’s noo. law;An’ Benjie’s an’ aw’m been seer wi’ aw ’im canna for mairbut think nor twathat year,he lippens leernin owre the an’muckle fat they till sic ca’ a progresses.young creatur—actooally Fat was thiat’t vreetin he said, o’ dockiments man, fan fernyearwe hed him ? Ou and ay, Mrs.says Pettiphoghe, ‘ Lat ye oot Maister here veesitin Benjamin for analone; ouk it’s a sharp client that’ll tak’ mair nor the worth o”s siller gottenoot o’ him.’chairge Weel, o’ that as peer aw wasbreet sayin’, An’ro Maister Langchafts’ Pettiphog maitters bed ; herean’ ye an’ wud there’t’s raelly won’er,nae paid Dawvid. till this An’roday’s date.”hed len’it oot triffles “ “Ye St? dinna it wud mean appear; siller though o’’s nain a’body ?” thocht vera different. An’oot herefat does to mak’ Maister inquaries.” Pettiphog dee, but get Benjie to vrite observed“Ye see Peter he Birse.thocht we mith’a kent something aboot it,” naething“Noo aboot,dinna man,”ye begin said toMrs. speak Birse. aboot “ Ye things see, though’t ye ken we bedeein tellin’ in aMaister lawvyer’s Hadden, office ’t’smaunna sic an be aul’ claickit freen, aboota’ this, to fat’s ilka backbody. to BenjieSo ’Liza the nicht,wudna an’ pit nae aff doot nae we Janger, ’ll hearmair but jist aboot vrote it.” DAWVID HADDEN VISITS AT CLINKSTYLE. [85 Dawvid Hadden’s curiosity, it must be owned, was not a littleskilfully aroused administered by the dose by Mrs.of information Birse, and so which judiciously seemed and to thegive point good now promise gained, of thesomething conversation more yetflowed to come.on easily From and naturallyneighbourhood to a discussiongenerally. ofJohnny the character Gibb cameand creditin for ofsome the Johnnynotice, Mrs.had notBirse treated purposely them altogether letting fall in thethe way remark they werethat wife,entitled “ an’ to expect.I’m thinkin’ “ He’s that jist oorowre nain bitter Patie’s no,” said nae the sae good- far atwrang,” hame added the nicht; she, with but ahe’s laugh. sic a“ It’sbricht a pityfairmer that thathe’s he’snae market,aye o’ the faur ootleuk he bocht for bargains,a byous chape an’ he’s coo awa’ fernyear, at the an’ Hawkha’ half-a- boun’sdizzen o’’ill stirks—for keep. Patie’s he has a stainchafen naar Aul’ dooble Kirk man,the beasts’t ye ken, ooran’ deesays for he womentill’s sister, creaturs, ‘Ah, butLizzie,’ ye needna says he, think ‘the that Free mony Kirk men, may psalmin’at ony rate lang.’ young Peer chaps, ’Liza wi’ tyeuk ony spunk it unco i’ them,het, but wud fient thole a fleeyer care’tWhen Patie.” Mrs. Birse had repeated these sentiments of her showedson approvingly, some disposition Peter Birse,to pursue senior, the samebrightened line of up, thought and onturned his ownthe account,conversation, but his and better the half rest promptly of the evening and adroitly was passedsagacity, chiefly and administrativein the narration capability of examples of Peter of the Birse, prudence, junior, hisas a father, sort of Peter foil to Birse, set off senior, the young being man’s freely merits. used in Atillustration parting, it’sMrs. a Birsegryte feastventured to see to yousay, for “ Weel,an evenin’; weel, an’Maister ye maun Hadden come ; mairback grunshortly noo, an’ fan see some Patie, o’ foryer he’s tacks to isbe oot. at yeHim to gi’ean’ you’im mauncan sattl’t gae ootatween o’ the ye. gate We o’ sannathe young. enterfere—auF It’s their fowk, pairt ye to see, be thinkin’“ Aweel, aboot I ’llither be thinkin’things.” aboot the new arreengements, an’ awHadden. ’ll lat ye ken fat a’ ’s to be done vera shortly,” said Dawvid CHAPTER XXXIII. THE MERCHANT’S SHOP. £wOCK wasMaister recommen’in’ Sleekaboot, to me.an’ converseGweed nichtwi’ ’im wi’ aboot ye.” ane that he the Dawvidfront door. went “on Ou, to jistthe Mansesay it’s accordingly,Maister Hadden and knocked that wunts at ’imthe fordamsel a minute,” who opened said Dawvid, the door in toanswer him. toMr. the Sleekaboot inquiry of parlour,came down dangling from hishis study,hat between and found his knees. Dawvid seated in the and“ the I’m children glad to see?” said ye, DavidMr. Sleekaboot. ; your wife is quite well, I hope Dawvid.“ We ’re“ a’Gweed vera mucklebe thankit. aboot I’ve the call’tordinar’, up abootsir,” answered yon that ye mention’t—the settin’ o’ the crafts, ye ken.” “We’ve“ Oh ! Sir arreeng’t Simon returns things thisj'ist monthas I taul ?” ye, an’ ye can lat maistme ken agreeable whuch craft,to get thefor thissmith’s person or thethat souter’s,ye ’re interaistit it would in." be obliged“ Indeed to you, !” exclaimedDavid.” Mr. Sleekaboot. “ I’m really much DAWVID HADDEN REPORTS TO SIR SIMON. 195 “ It’sDinna not mention that I would % sir.” desire to dispossess any man ; far peoplefrom it; to butremain as you after said what Sir had Simon come could and gone,not allow I thought these aI mightmost respectable as well recommend man.” a most respectable man to you— Dawvid,“Fat’s putting his name, down sir,his aw’llhat on better the carpet,book it and at once,”pulling saidout aof crumpled black lead book pencil, of the the penny point diary of which order, hetogether dipped with into a hisbit mouth,Mr. inSleekaboot preparation gave for Dawvid writing. the name of some unknown person,Dawvid abooked sister’s daughter’sit in proper husband style. of“ ItJonathan will be aTawse, particular and tofavour,” yourself added for it,the David.” minister, “and he will be entirely indebted teetl’t“ Ou, till I’monything aye willin’ o’ the to kin’. dee a Yefawvour ’ll maybe to them adverteese that’s en-’im to luik“And in abootdon’t mentionupo’ me myat’s name, convainience.” you know, David, in con- tivesnection might with be the misunderstood.” matter ; being of a secular nature, my mo- again“ I putun’erstan’ up his diaryye perfeckly, and black sir,” lead saidpencil; Dawvid; and soon then there- he home.after bade the minister a formal good night, and went away CHAPTEE XXX Y. THE SETTLEMENT OF MR. MACCASSOCK. HEFree settlement Kirk Minister of the atRev. Pyketillim, Nathaniel was MacCassock, an event that as affordedyounger peoplean altogether the “placin’’ new experience of a minister in the wasplace. something To the couldwhich rememberthey had never the time witnessed when Mr.in any Sleekaboot shape. Theirwas ordained seniors asthing minister altogether. of the Sirparish. Simon But Frissal that washad, a ofdifferent his own style good of withoutwill and consultingpleasure, “any presented individual ” the more Rev. or Andrew less; and Sleekaboot, the Pres- bodybytery in had the mainlyparish beingcarried a bitthe thematter wiser. through, When without the ordina- any- tionplace, “ trialsthey fixed” were it, completed, as the use and and the wont settlement is, for awas week to takeday, whereatPresbytery certain had beenof the unmindful parishioners of the grumbled, fact that thebecause “ neeps the ” were pressing for hoeing at the time. And one or two doubted whether“Aw’m a week-day fell dootfu’ service aboot was gyaun constitutional. naar them ava, fader,” saiding hisMains male of parent; Yawal, “then the neepsa promising is spin’lin young up man,till they address- ’ll be onconnach’t; ouk days, an’ ’cepin they’ve o’ the nae fast-day.” poo’er to gar fowk gae to the kirk “ Ye“It’ll wudna be kensiccarer fat mithto gae, happen. loon,” saidSir theSeemon judicious ’ll be senior. there ’imsel’, an’ the factor wi’ ’im, nae doot. an’ they wud seen see fatgin likeoor seata birk war he freely is. teem.As the Tak’ aul’ ye by-word a stap owresays, bye •' It's an' ayesee gweedLike to anhae obedient yer cog ootson, fan Mains it dings of onYawal kail.’” had obeyed his services.father’s injunctions,Then the and Presbytery patiently had witnessed the ordination the ordination dinner, rendfrom courtwhich, departed it was said, in a moreevery or individual less “glorious” member state. of the Mains reve • THE SETTLEMENT OF MR. MACCASSOCK. 197 occasionof Yawal todid witness not say a this,part butof the on tailthat of very the eveningordination he pro-had hisgramme custom for was, which before he had retiring not bargained.to rest, went The out oldin theman, quiet as summer“ stob-thacket gloamin ” house, to the and hillock cast athis the eyes western abroad end over of ashis much cosy pointof the offarm vantage. of Mains He of gazed Yawal and as theygazed could again take in thein from direction that ofKirktown the lower of partPyketillim of the led.farm, past which the road from the the “Jamiestirks doon !” cried i’ the he, Shallhowe “fat’s that ? Seerlymakin’sic the tod,a reerie or a setamo’ o’ seecairds fat’s rinkin oonsattlin aboot the the beasts pumphel. fae their Rin lair.” awa’ doon, man, an’ Yawal,He wasand woulda “notionate” be obeyed. old fellowSo when the Jamie elder went Mains down of fathertill he hadcould full see command to, what ofshould a point he abehold little beyondbut a gentlemanwhere his inseated white on neckcloth, horseback, with completely his hat farlocked back into on histhe head,corner and of riddenthe lower off field the road,among in the at thegrowing “ yettthere com. He could had bedeliberately no doubt thathorse the ; and rider after was traversingresponsible the for field this in aberration various directions and not theto thesome infinite dim notion,astonishment evidently, of Mains that theof Yawal’sproceeding stirks, was who not had in properthe “neuk” ecclesiastical of the field.form, heThere had gotthe asrider, it were who, jammed on finding into furtherprevious progress proceedings, impossible, was hilariously had been reciting thrown part back of a onspeech the heoccupying had delivered his time in by the nibbling manse grassthat day,off the and top the of horse the “ feal-was anddyke.” local Our habitation young farmer, of the reverend who knew brother perfectly of the well Presbytery the name rallywho hadincensed, been andcaught rated straying his “ obfuscated in this odd ” reverencefashion, was severely natu- forAnd “blaudin his reverence, the corn” in tones in such of serene an unwarrantable contentment, fashion.replied, damages.“ Ho-ot, min, We hoot; hae-na jist or-dination lead ye my dinner horsie every oot; day, I ’ll min’ pay ye.” all indulgentI fear thisreader digression bear in ismind hardly that to bethe justified habits of; only Pyketillim let the orare half to me a century of perennial ago, orinterest, more. whether the date be a quarter ig8 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. to theWell, possession while the of scheme, Gushetneuk of which had the been reader maturing, knows, the relative sub- jectthe renewalthat specially of his lease, occupied but the Johnny settlement Gibb’s of thoughtsMr. MacCassock. was not JohnnyKirk to hada sense been of at their pains privilege to stir inup electing the people a minister; of the Freeand thehe had day had of election, the satisfaction when Mr. of seeingMacCassock a full meeting was unanimously present on chosen.the sou terThen was PresbyteryMr. MacCassock elder at had the his time, “ trials,” Johnny and, felt albeitit in- meeting,cumbent andupon sit him through too toa fivetravel hours’ to the “ sederunt,” Presbytery’s in order place that of heSome might parts lose of nothing the exercises in the procedure to which thatMr. wasMacCassock fitted to edify. was comprehension;subjected were confessedly yet he and beyond the souter Johnny returned Gibb’s intelligentfrom the scholar,”Presbytery and with “ poo’erfu’ the steadfast i’ the originalconviction langiges that he wasand athe “ gran* con- gregationMr. MacCassock readily wasaccepted an able their preacher report theyon thisall knewpoint. of Thattheir '“trials”own knowledge. with approbation, Mr. MacCassock and following had onnow that passed they hadhis reckonnext settled brevity the the details soul ofof wit, the norordination. attribute toThey it any did desir- not ableand thecharacter souter, whatever who had in gotsuch a aremit matter, on andthis sohead Johnny from Gibb the congregation,sonal favour that had three pleaded of the it almostfathers andon the brethren ground would of a takeper- part in the services; the moderator to preach the sermon, anotherthen one to brother “ address to “ the address people.” the newly-ordainedThis was all agreed pastor,” to, and the “23rd The of vera October day’t was Sir fixedSeemon for thecomes ordination. hame ! ” exclaimed fromMrs. Birse,some pieceaddressing of visiting. her daughter,“I’ the whoface hado’ fortune, just returned fa said that,“ I’Liza heard ?” it at the shop.” think“The they chop mith ! getFowk’ll something get a’ither ca’d adee aboot nor clypes turnin’ there; owre a’I the “Well,claicks i’mamma, the kwintra.” if it please ye any better, it was Mr. Gibb“ Gushetneukhimself that ’imsel’told me.” ? It wud set ’im better to bide at hame, an’ luik aifter that sweer fangs o’ servan’ chiels o’ his.” THE SETTLEMENT OF MR. MACCASSOCK. 199 “ An’ he bade me say that there ’ll be a great turn-oot, for wudthe ablest expect speakers to see every i’ the one Presbytery’s o’ us there all that to day.”tak’ part; an’ he naething“ To see’sto loss a’ northere win. ! Weel,But weel!it’s jist Easyaye the till gate ’im wi’that them has ’t hisna faimilies 0’ their nain; there’s nae en’ to their selfit- ness.the tacks Fat is wye to be cud set he immedantly expeck Patie aifter an’ ?’’ yer fader there fan Mr.“Well, Gibb, hemamma, needna ye think know to well get aneuchMary Howiethat if to Peter be’s offen’wife. An’ “ye’ve Peter helpit ! Peer a’ ’tman, ye cud aw todoot get he’er hisnatill ’im sol’t’s yourself.” beets wi’ ’s toon,transack ’s Dawvid amo’ the ca’s’t, lasses. an’ MaryBut an’ Howie he war needin’ goodman to gae o’ awa’ New- to inhaudin,the frem’t, unedicatshe maybe taupie winna chiel be saein a saucy,kwintra aiven chop though sud anbe garrin’er for ’erbut troo to get’s that ban’she’s o’wuntin’ the siller ’er—Fat that Gushets’ssorra wud len’it he wunt ’im, or I’m“Mamma!” sair mista’en?” exclaimed Miss Birse, with vehement emotion. o’“That’s the deacons not a propertoo. I’m way sure to speakhe don’t of Mr.deserve Will; that and fae him no one onbelongin’ the parlour to the couch Free inChurch,” a state midwayand Miss between Birse flungsobbing herself and sulking.“ Hoot, ’Liza,” said Mrs. Birse, in a cooler tone, “ I wasna kin’meanin’ o’ an to upfeshin lichtlifie hehim—Gweed gat; an’ gin forbid. he be ableWe a’to ken hae weel a chop fat cannanoo it’s hae the the mair same till’s respeck’s credit; a manonly, o’ ye edication ken, the like like Maister o’ ’im throu’MacCassock, the College, ’t’s beenlike yerweel nain brocht broder, up Benjamin.a’ ’s days, an’But gane aw hewas war provokit enteetl’t at tothat rowle bodie the Gushetsroast owre gaen a’body.” on that gate, ’s gin preachers“ He only ; and wantit’s Gushets’ a’ toain be people there, ’ll because hae some there’ll strangers be gran’ wi’ them,”“ Weel, said Missye ken, Birse. Patie has a gryte prefairrance for the ’Liza,Pairis’ ye Kirk, ken an’that it yerseP.winna deeAn’ to yerswye fader nae iscreator’s not stoot. conscience, I was thinkin’tither day; ’im luikinit’s raelly jist raela gryte wainish’t-like harassment aboot to the the like queets o’ ’im the to be gar’tOf course, shave Mrs.an’ cheenge Birse had his it claes her ownon an way ouk ; although,day.” with JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. the exception of Peter Birse, senior, and Peter Birse, junior, nationthe members services. of theThe family Free atKirk Clinkstyle of Pyketillim did attend was crammedthe ordi- whoon the reckoned occasion it ;a andhigh Johnny day. GibbThere looked had been altogether a promise like one of longMarnoch standing to pay on him the apart visit, of andhis friendnow Johnny “ Maister had Saun’ers pressed ”ful- at filmentpedestrian of powers,the promise. so Johnny Mrs. made Gibb Tam was Meerison not improved yoke thein cart,Saun’ers, and andin that Jock useful Will’s vehicle mother Mrs. rode Gibb, pleasantly himself, enough Maister to blacks,”the Free cameKirk. onThe behind merchan’, in the companycarefully doneof Mrs. up Gibb’sin a “ stanniece, o’ muscularMary Howie, frame, who and was ruddy, also escortedopen face, by formed Willie aM‘Aul, good contrast whose whoto the had merchant’s been for carefula time astyle stranger and insemi-demure Pyketillim, air.was thereWillie, to home,hit at leastand attwo the dogs same with time one attending bone, if he-might, the ordination by visiting services. his Andhim againif one to might meet certainjudge, itof was his oldno unpleasantacquaintances, experience in whose to speciallycompany invitedhe now to found take teahimself. at Gushetneuk He had with moreover his old mas-been terMaister and Saun’ersmistress, from and Mamoch. in company with the perspicacious vicesIt wereis needless ; how closely,to say forhow three impressive long hours, the ordination they were ser-lis- swelledtened to upby beyonda crowded its congregationwonted volume. ; and howIt was the thepsalmody mole- catcher whowas anow modest occupied man, the and precentor’s on great desk,occasions but thehe wouldmole- assurance,always have for Johnny Johnny’s Gibb presence in the of“lateran” mind never also, deserted to give him.him Andmetre Johnny’s he could voice ring hadout witha grip a inpenetrating it At the “birr” points that in theset andstraggling when occasionelements requiredin the general overbore body in of its sound prolonged at defiance, twang evenWhen the the shrill service piercing had ended,note ofand the Mr. principal MacCassock female had voice. re- themselvesceived the usualto their “ cordial several welcome,” homes. theMr. congregationMacCassock havingbetook dationas yet noavailable, manse, itand had there been being found no necessary,other suitable reluctantly, accommo- to ofgive the up Presbytery. for the present the idea of “entertaining” the brethren THE SETTLEMENT OF MR. MACCASSOCK. 201 As the congregation were in process of gradual dispersion bycarriage the variousof Sir Simonroutes Frissalleading came to andalong from the thehighway Kirk, withthe visitthat dignifiedto the locality, baronet, in who the hadinterior. just arrivedJohnny on Gibb’s his autumn mare, Jess,disposition which towas keep already pace underwith Sirway, Simon’s manifested fleeter an steeds evident as thethey time, passed, did andhis bestJohnny, simultaneously who was in to commandcheck the vivacityof Jess atof bythe liftinganimal, his and hat. accord Whether the customary Sir Simon recognition deigned to to return his laird the able;salute atof anythe tenantrate, Jess of Gushetneukby her capers was made not veryclearly sure determin- that the baronetfixed on shouldher master. not pass without having his special attention CHAPTER XXXVI. THE “SETTIN’” OF GUSHETNEUK. •tWT was an honourable feature in the policy of the Frissal Ci) family that within the memory of living man or woman matterno old thattenant adverse had everfortune been had turned overtaken off the a man,property. nor evenNo that his own sloth or mismanagement had reduced him to smallerstraits; ifplace, unable or atto leastcontinue a “ bieldin his ” existingto put his “ haudin,” head in, some was foundcentre forof him,his wonted and he orbitwas allowedas little todisturbed end his daysas might with thebe. wouldThough have Sir beenSimon rightly had describedbeen from as hisa “ youthhard-up upward ” laird, what and verythough comfortable the more industriousliving, the ofrents his tenantsremained evidently easy, andmade no a foreignPerhaps influences the system had had hitherto its drawbacks. been permitted I recollectto inflame one them. or betwo developed tenants, for under example, the moreof a typemodern that system,could certainly by which never the nowlands, regulated. erstwhile ofTheir Sir Simon,laziness as and well capability as other ofproperties, mismanage- are mentso far wereas genius positively can achieve of the natureresults ofwithout genius—at effort. anyHere rate was in turesGa’in thatTamson Italian now—Who ryegrass wascould a haveplant toldknown from to Ga’in’sthe British pas- turnipfarmer; was or saidother with than certainty an exotic from of his doubtful “ green growthcrop ” that in ourthe oftenersevere climate? than once, In topoint “ lay of ” fact, itself Ga’in “ out,” allowed without a large his troubling“screed” objectedit with anything to “ bone in manure the shape ” on of principle. clover or grassHis patches seeds; ofand corn he aspectbloomed of a his bright kine, yellow and of with his oldthe “ancient brown ”“ skellachandmare did not belie the wasthe farea “fine on whichstock,” it withwas theira fluent fortune and tocompendious be sustained. power Ga’in of pay“ newsin;” rent. Butyet evenhe got Ga’in into Tamsondifficulties, was and not latterlysent adrift. ceased He to THE “ SETTIN’ ” OF GUSHETNEUK. 203 merelycroft near “roupit by, placidly aff” at cultivated Claybogs, theand same, being or transferred refrained fromto a hiscultivating life. Well; it, as ifhe Sir had Simon’s a mind, system for the had remaining its drawbacks, period ofI faultless.am not sure that the system which has succeeded it is quite the Anyhow,souter, and things the being smith thus, were the to reportbe turned that off,Johnny caused Gibb, no little1846, sensationbeing the dayin the of letting,neighbourhood, approached. as the 25th October, bye“ ere Na; this but time it’s tokeerious gi’e’s theno, rinninsthat Dawvid o’ the maitter.”sudna been owre bandThe and speaker her eldest was son,Mrs. Peter, Birse, when and theyshe addressed had finished her theirhus- breakfast“ Hooever, on the he morning has sae in mony question. things to deteen ’im ; ye ’ll baithto the rankHoose.” yersel’s eenoo an’ be ready in richt time to gae up twa“ ’oors,”Fat wud quoth be the Peter, eese junior,o’ that; rising we’ll beand in making gweed timehis waythis towardstirks an’ the ca’ parlour them door.to the Backhill,“ Aw’m gyaunfaur Mains’s awa’ to orra lat ootman’s the reddin“Noo, oot thePatie, mairch fat eesestank, has till the aw likesee fooo’ he’syou togettin’ be gyaunon.” treeshinPeter an’ went, ca’in’ however; aboot atand, nowte as Mrs. beasts Birse eenoo.” could do no better, Yeshe kencalled Sir after Seemon’s him, “Min’,vera punctooal, noo, and an”snae bidenain owre words lang. to DawvidNa, man, wus but toaw bid mitha ‘every bidden one you be pitthere on byyer twel’ claith o’clock.’— breeks i’ . thebree mornin’! to the vera There waistban’.” ye hae them skaikit wi’ skirps o’ sharn hed“ that Hoot, marks ’oman, o’ them it’s thisnaething three o’towmons,” the kin’; andye kenPeter they’ve Birse, spotssenior, on wetted the rather his shrivelled-lookingthumb and proceeded rusty-black to rub unmention- at certain ables“Noo, in which min’ the yer lower nae partto gae of histhrou’ person yer tvasgremmar enclosed. gin Sir sattlinSeemon aboot speer Gushetneuk; onything aboot as it’sthe nait’ralFree Kirk that athe ye, will.” fan ye’re ken“ brawly Weel, ginthat he I neverspeer, wasaw mauna weel-wuller jist till ’imtill thegyaun trowth awa’ ; faeye ' the “There’sPairis’ Kirk.” mair wyes o’ tellin’ the trowth nor ane, man; 204 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. ye ’re seerly aul’ aneuch to ken that ere noo. Sir Seemon kens faerespectable, ithers nor weel-livin’ you that Maister fowk, an’ MacCassock’s that he’s vera come intimat’ o’ genteel, in oor there’sfaimily. been,An’ there’s gin he nae speer occasion aboot for ony you ither to say transack ocht or thatflee, tobut yer jist, nown ‘ Weel, awgent, Sir Seemon, Maister the Hadden.’” best wye’s joost to refar ye “ ButFoo foosud sud ye deeaw deethat! that Foo ?” sudna ye dee’t fan yer bid- den“ ?” Dawvid hisna naething adee wi’ ’t.” you“ a An’ braw fat flegfor hisnaaboot Dawvidit afener naething nor ance. adee Jist wi’ hear ’t ? yeHe fat gya I thesay—‘ fowk It wusnasays ; foran’ naethingaw think thatit wud the be cat ill licketDawvid the Hadden’sstane,’ ’s himpairt as nae we’ve to dee deen.” a’ that he cud for them that’s coontenanc’t Peter;“Hoot, but butMrs. ye Birse, lippen who owre had muckle begun toto giveDawvid,” her attention argued keepto some up householdthe discussion, matters, knowing, did not as think she did,it worth that while though to hePeter might was not disposed inopportunely to regard remind the occasion Mrs. Birse, as one in aon friendly which undoubtedlyway, of his own fall safe in, instinctsand act inaccording matters ecclesiastical,to his instructions. he would on Intheir due important course, Messrs. errand. Birse, I rather senior think and junior,there had set forthbeen some slight qualms of conscience in the case of the former ; takingelse he the need straight not have road, proposed they should to his go son along that, the in dykesideplace of quitethrough clear the offield, Gushetneuk. and round Atby theany Backhill,rate they so reachedas to steer the puzzledprecincts somewhat. of the great The house prefatorial in good part, time. as itThen were, they had werebeen notsolely yet intrusted seen; and to Dawvidnotwithstanding Hadden, theyand Dawvidhad hung they about had officer’swhere it eye,seemed there likely had they been might no sign catch of the his vigilantappearing. ground- So hadthey hadwould to goleave past post his house.haste for Oh “ doon! that throu’,” very morning on business Dawvid of the-“Sir Simon’s. Hoose” alone.There wasAnd nothing when they for ithad then done but so walk the butlerup to ontold for them a while. that Sir Simon and M*, O^enspex had been going THE “SETTIN’” OF GUSHETNEUK. 20$ quoth“ The the functionaryparson’s been aforesaid. here, no less, for the last half hour,” “ We wus Jexpeckin to see Dawvid Hadden ; will there be ony chance o’ s bein’ in aboot shortly ?” asked Peter Birse, senior.“ Davie ?” said the butler. “ Not if he’s a wise man; there’s beenreverence a awful to givekick theup smith’sabout some croft promiseto a. prodigee he had of made his.” to his “ AndRaelly! the ” upshot’sanswered like Peter. to be to unship poor Muggart” “ Well,Eh, fat you wye, see,” man said ?” the butler, who was not a much less farimportant as I gather. official Sirin hisSimon own atway the than preliminary Dawvid Hadden,—“ audience last so night,crofts—so settled I gathered to give from both the the conversation smith and ofshoemaker the agent whentheir weseverest had a look—and glass of wine he together.can do it inSir style—when Simon put onhe hisheckled mos: themgave themabout ‘the the bitFree and Church. the buffet But, with as it’—andyou Scotch quite say, right, he reverencequite right, comes they ’reup bothwith verythis prodigeegood tradesmen. of his ; a parson’sAh! but norhis toat beMuggart denied, for you making know such; besides, a botch Sir ofSimon that wasnew gatevery atangry the bottomsack to makeof the way lawn; for thisand person.”I gather that Hairry’s to get the cam’“ Isninup aboot that Gushetneuk.” byous!” said Peter Birse, senior. “Ye see we “ Weel,Gushetnook! we wus whatthinkin’ about o’ takin’it ?” said it tee the to butler. oor pairt for him directionhere;” and of hisClinkstyle son. canted his hat half-way over in the that“ it’sTakin’ took Gushetnook already ? Old! BlessGibb wasyour here ’art, last didn’t night; you sich hear a downrow with the Sirlawn—not Simon andSir Simon,he; might of course, ’a heard he’s them too muchhalf-way of aGibb, gentleman mind ye,to speakbut to loud. some friendBut Gushetnook’s o’ his, I didn’t let—not gather to who. old dischargingExcuse me, gentlemen,”the office of continuedfootman. the“ Hisbutler, reverence who was is alsojust going.”The butler went to open the door, and Peter Birse, senior, looked“ Nyod, at Peter I dinna Birse, think’t junior, we uneasily. sud bide langer, laddie.” 206 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. “Please yerseF,” said Peter Birse, junior. “Fat’ll my mither“ We say canna to ye, be gin nae ye better gae hame o’ seein’ onseen ’im thenoo, laird fan ?”it’s ta’en oot “amo’ This oor way, vera gentlemen—leave fingers.” your hats,” said the butler,: returning“ Weel, with we wusnaa pompous thinkin’ swing. o’ tribblin Sir Seemon aifter fat: ye Ve“ I’ve taul’s,” announced said Peter you—please Birse, senior. don’t keep Sir Simon wait- ing,”So was the the Messrs. response, Birse uttered were withushered some into sharpness. the presence of notSir aSimon long one,Frissal yet andPeter Mr. Birse, Greenspex. senior, I amThe sure, interview could have was honestlyonly endeavoured said he did to not perform want ithis further “ boo,” protracted. in answer He to hadSir orSimon’s two muttered “Well, Birse, to the what effect do thatyou wish?”“ We wus and gaengot a sentenceto speer j yesaifter ; supposingGushetneuk,” that whenit might the be lawyer in the market.interposed, Very “ Oh, natural. yes,; Anythingsuppose this about finishes—allow your own farm me”—and ? No ; Mr.that’s Greenspex right. Well,opened I Birse,the door “That’s to give another him the piece opportunity of Dawvid of Hadden’swhispering han’iwork,! to Peter thatI presume. I’ve ta’en Oh, you Dawvid, oot without Dawvid! wakenin’ Ye may the thankold gentleman’s your stars wrathWhen again. the Good-day.”tenant of Clinkstyle and his son left the butler,“Hoose,” there after was a an voluble aspect “good-bye”of considerable from blankness their friend on both the momenttheir faces in ; whatand hadshape the he senior was ofto thereport two proceedingsbeen asked atto thathis losswife, forI do a reply.believe that he would have been a good deal at a C H A P T E E XXXVII. CLINKSTYLE AGAIN. SS Messrs. Birse, senior and junior, pursued their way- them couldhomeward hardly to be Clinkstyle, described theas animated.conversation The between elder wholePeter moralisedthing : how in hisit shouldown way have on thecome “ keeriousnessabout that Dawvid” of the nothing;Hadden’s howplan Dawvidso elaborately himself got should up shouldhave been have to gone seek forof hadall times so laboriously at the very “ laid time out that” were the a-letting “ possessions ; and ”how, which above he Johnnyall things, Gibb—a Gushetneuk man of couldsuch unconstitutional have been let toopinions. any friend Peter, of junior,father : wasso he not merely less sulkysaid— than his wont in addressing his “ HumphOu na, Peter, ! ye was man, near I never as ill’s votit him against yersel’.” the laird,” said Peter“ Hoot, Birse, that’ssenior. lang syne; an’ aw’m seer ye jist conter’t pitten’im as onmuckle for a abootFree Kirkthe kirk, el’yer.” though ye didna mak’ oot to be didna“ Weel, get ’er Peter, nain it gatewas maybethere. asIt’s lucky cost for’s me monya’ ’t yer an mither ’oor’s sleep“ Yethat ’ll wark.”needa get a pairt till’s some wye at ony rate,” said. Peter“A Birse, pairt? junior. Ye ken ye’ll get oor nain pairt in coorse ; but beenit wud carrie’t ’a made oot—There a hantle better wud ’a a beenplace richtgin Dawvid’s scouth for plan the hed.sax shiftthe burn gin weside hed yon’er.” hed a swipe across a’ the braes, an’ doon to. “ That’s nae fat I’m speakin’ aboot, ony wye.” Clinkstyle;“ Ou, weel, an’ yethat’s ken, onlyyour four name’ll year become in’o the the time.” neist tack o’ replied“ Ye the needna amiable think Peter, that junior. I ’ll wyte the half o’ that time,* 208 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. Peter Birse, senior, looked at his son inquiringly. He morewould of have definiteness, liked to get but at was the faryoung from man’s clear mindabout with the propera little methodcurred toof himreaching that thatif Johnny end. GibbThe thought,himself washowever, to leave oc- wouldGushetneuk, have to“ theleave lassie,” it too, Mary and Howie, naturally Peter’s enough future Peter’s wife, andchivalrous settlement nature in mightlife should lead behim then, to desire so that that Mary his mightmarriage be hintedsaved theat inhardship a quarter of goingnot unknown to the “ to frem’t,” Peter, whichas a possibility. had been anPeter unusually Birse, senior, happy regarded inspiration this ;conception and he answeredof his brain with as spirit— only“ IWeel, wud weel,not like Patie, to be man, chaumePt we ’ll upsee in fat a toon.—Eh,yer mither man— says ; faand ’ll thatPeter be Birse, gyaun senior, aboot wi’put Gushets his hand there over at thehis back brow faul’ies to get ?”a Johnnybetter view Gibb’s of fields.three figures which were discernible in one of Peter“Fa Birse, cud junior.ken fowk mair nor half a mile awa’?” inquired Marnoch—ane“Weel, but o’I’ll them—wud waager something he hae onything it’s that adee mannie wi’ thefae takin’“ Lickly o’ the aneuch.place?” Fat ither wud he be wuntin here, trailin’ a’ the“Fa road cud fae that that.” tither ane be ava?” said Peter Birse, senior, ofstopping his scrutiny. to fix hisIn eyes this as his steadily example as possiblewas followed on the by objects Peter sneer,Birse, “Hah!junior, it’swho Willie incontinently M‘Aul, the exclaimed, soutePs sin.with He’sa sort doon of thathere muckleeenoo, places’tan’ preten’s he’s tillbeen hae sairin leern’t aboot.” fairmin at some o’ o’ ? ”“ queriedAn’ wud Peter this Birse,new man senior. raelly be takin’ ’s advice b’ wye view,The when father the andformer son suggested— passed on, till Clinkstyle was full in siclike“ Nyod, speed’s Peter, we’ve ye mithcome jist ; an’ gae aw’ll in aboot, gae roon an’ tellan’ seeyer Hairrymither isMuggart, that has peer raelly stock; gotten he’s Gushetneuk—tell lickly heard some ’er’t sleuminaw ’ll be o’ hame fa it in naeThere time.” is no reason to doubt that Peter Birse, senior. CLINKSTYLE AGAIN. 209 oflooked getting upon the this news as brokena happy to mode, Mrs. soBirse. far as he was concerned, at theWhen door Peter by his Birse, mamma, junior, who had wasreached in the home, mood he described was met as ““ vokie.” Wed, Newtoon,” exclaimed Mrs. Birse, with affable jocularity,“Stoit, “ mither;fat’s the fatrent needs o’ yer yefairm, aye no gae ?” on that gate!” answered“ Noo, Peternoo, Patie, Birse, that junior, winna with dee some to be emphasis. so short i’ the trot. heid,Gin anceas ye ye ’ll seenwar hae,marriet, ye ’ll an’ need hed ’a leerna muckle to hae chairge mair patience o’ yer wi’ fowk.”“ Weel, aw hinna gotten Gushetneuk, ony wye.” “ HinnaIt’s ta’en gotten’t! till some Fatfreen d’ o’ye Gushets’s mean ?” nain.” wardle’s“ Freen earth’s o’ Gushets’s that? Didnain! yer Fat fader wye speak o’ the in facea discreet o’ the menner“ He tilldidna Sir saySeemon hardly ?” naethi'ng ava.” mitha“Tchuck-tchuck! socht till arreenge Was things ever an’ an’oman expeck thattriet he this wudna gate? ca’t I a’ toPeter the gowffBirse, i’ junior,the hin’er had en’! just answeredFaur is ’e this?” question, and wheninformed that his gentleman mother ofand the Mr. position Birse, senior,Hairry passedMuggart the stood window in, outoutside. to attend As they to his came “beasts,” in, Peter merely Birse, remarking junior, stalked to Hairry away Muggart,A fellow “Weel, feeling Hairry, makes aw us b’lieve wondrous ye ’re kind, oot o’’tis the said; craftie.” and itto soseek happened out Hairry that Muggartwhile Peter for Birse,the purpose senior, wasof mutual on his con-way likedolence, object Hairry in view was ; and pursuing so they his had way met to midway.Clinkstyle with the —foo’s“ Come yer awa’,goodwife Maister the Muggart,nicht ?” said aw’m Mrs. vera Birse. glaid to see you “ ThankIsna this ye, fine muckle apen abootweather the ?” ordinar’,” said Hairry. ““It Raelly, lats fowk it is get so.” the young beasts keepit thereoot; an’ that’s ana pause, unco haeninduring o’ which the strae Hairry at the sat beginnin’ in a pensive o’ the sizzon.”attitude Afterwith cheerfulhis hands tone, on “his Ay; knees, an’ fat’s Mrs. the Birse news went aboot on your in gatea calm en’, noand ?” 210 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. “ Nae muckle’t’s gweed,” said Hairry. “ There’s some o’ ’ gettin’“ Eh the !” bag,exclaimed aw b’lieve.” Mrs. Birse, “an’ wusnin Patie jist tellir mairme something vex’t i’ my that life he nor hed to heardhear’t aboot ye was that—aw to be neveroot o’ waye craft.”“We’ve a’ been—sair’t oot o’ the same caup—” Peter Birst wasa glance about which to say, Peter in a sufficientlyhalf dolorous comprehended, tone ; but Mrs. checked Birse, th*b; sentence,“ Raelly, and Maister herself wentMuggart, on— it’s a heemlin thing to thinl fatthat wye bodie fowk Hadden sud be pittentrailin upon here in ilka sic aither menner. nicht Thereaboot wath> tietime’t sud theysay thatwar plannin’we wud beoot willin’ the grun to tak’; an’ tee he Gushetneuknever haltit til first—fowkoor place. wudAw b’lieveneeda Itak’ begood care funnin’ o’ the frivolousestwi’ ’im aboot word it myse! tha tillthey Dawvid speak to sud the come like o’here ’im, an’ weel-a-wat. tell ttiem thatAweel, Sir thisSeemon fares he’>coug turkey’s to keep eggs. some But ither brawly thing kent oot o’I sicht.that a’ Awthis cudna was butthink a j.f: :hatvas naethe lossin’mair like o’ Gushetneuk fat she hed was been the afore occasion nor caul’o”t a’,sowens but she is |»ike )oddom het aleberry.o’ this, no.’ Hooever, I sits thinksawa’ a I,fyou ‘ Madam, minutes, I ’se nae be to at luikthe I' jonceevilin’ ta’en thelike preenfor a’ this—Ioot o’ myhed shawl.lows’t the‘ Ye’re strings het,’ o’ my says mutch she. |t ’oadDeed atween awat oorI atn place that,’ an’ says this;’ I, but,‘ it’s wudjist aye feerious believe’t, fortiggan Sandy ; : aPeterkin, gaen oot an’ o’ ’t that hedna hoose been’t onbeen aw sochtbidden a drinkkiss a o’caup water, ! I‘ wudEh,’ )/r lewlays she,aff o’ ‘ aw’mthe barm.’ richt sorry’t‘ Ou, oorweel, ale Mistressis not drinkable, Birse,’ saysit’s jist I, rE :rewe noo’t’re nae hedna ill aff mony wi’ a drapchoises.’ clean Wi’water. that I’ve she kentgya ither’er heid fowk a I: lit>ot cast.wi’ twa ‘ Wethree ’re o’ nae that jist bits come o’ braid-boddom’t to that yet, no,’ bottlies quo’ she; fae thean’ mmry—theirvee shall o’ asideboard, glessie. ‘nae This less—an’ is a vera pooers nice cordial, a drap recom-in’o a nen’it)yous gweedby Maister man,’ saysPettiphog, she. Aweel,that’s aaw streck cudna teetotaller but drink an’it for a :eevility’sjweed for sake—aa body’s jilpinside, o’ fushionless, they may saytasteless fat they trash; like abootit is not it. in’iooever, I tribbletna there wasnathem wi’ as langmuckle’s o’ my deecompany, naebody aw gryte can tellskaith; ye.” ludibleMeg ejaculationRaffan had nowgone andon allagain this fromwhile Sandy,with only who a onbarely the lervhole narrative, felt rather and embarrassed flitted backward at being and made forward the depository in the short of withspace his between elbows his on desk the andcounter, the counter; his cheeks while and the chin apprentice, resting formingin the palmsa support of his between, hands, andhung his rather check-sleeved than stood, forearms a fixed Mid“ interested Weel, weel, auditor. I gat it Aftera’ gin afour-and-twenty pause Meg proceeded— ’oors, no.” * I' “ Raelly,” said Sandy Peterkin, vaguely. 2X6 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. ment“ She’so’ them. idolees’t Aw’m that seerfaimily for o’a hersfile aneuchback it to was fesh aye a jeedg- ‘ oor tyke;Patie’s’ but this, she an’’ll maybe ‘oor Patie’s’ hae less that, to braig till it aboot wud ’aPatie scunner’t for the a neist“ Hastowmon.” Patie deen ony ill ?” queried Sandy. He’s“ Ou,been na, aye na; a naistynaething lowlif’t but fatkin’ was o’ a toslype, be expeckit wi’ a’ ’s fader’so’ ’im. heard,gawketness, nae doot, an’ a that gey agweed creatur share o’ a o’’s deemie mither’s that greed. was wi’ Ye them Ve twa“Eh, three butyear it syne seerly hed wasna a bairn true!” till ’im exclaimed ?” Sandy. “It wasna“ True heard ! o’’Wa’ hardly.” wi’ ye. Gin’t hed been a peer servan’ lad, wye’ta’ the yourpairis’ walthy wud fairmers’a kent o’’t an’ infairmer’s an ouk’s sins time. keeps That’s their bas- the pairt;tards ootan’ youo’ sicht—sen’ that’s el’yers the mithersnever sees o’ themtheir awa’faces ooti’ the o’ ses-the growsion : doucetill aifter-hin, el’yers themsel’s, fan they’ve like marrietaneuch.” i’ their nain set, an’ quentlySandy against Peterkin the Freecould Kirk not beingstand chargeable this, and protestedwith any suchelo- laxity“ Ah of weel,discipline. we’ll see,” said Meg Raffan. “ Hooever, Mrs. faimilyBirse’s wyePatie’s till throu”t’im ance again. main Patie,The sameit wud deemie’s appear, madei’ the faderoot to an’keep mither it a’ quate, there expeckin’to lat ’im to mairry get Gushetneuk, the creatur. an’ pit’sFan pooderthat gaed was owre oot immedantly;them, he grew an’ as Patie sulky’s bann’t’s a wil’ sister bear; fat wasthe ’im,her bisnessit seems, ; thean’ creaturthey ’re o’to abe deemie marriet has at anthe unco term.” poo’er owre “ An’Weel, fat’s but the aw lassie’s canna tellfowk ye ? ”that,” asked answered Sandy. Meg; “ only gateaw ken fae thatCollieston, the aul’ wi’ cadger a grey mannie horsie thatan’ a ees’t covert to ca’ cairtie fish upwas this ’er gentrygran’fader, o’ Clinkstyle an’ fuish ’erwinna up feckly. be jist Soowre ye proodmay guess o’ their that new the freens.”That any formal assurance should be necessary to certify bythe Megaccuracy Raffan of theis notintelligence once to beconveyed thought to of. Sandy Meg Peterkin had an how,incisive she and obtained unerring the informationinstinct in suchwhich matters. formed theWhere, subject or MEG RAFFAN GOES TO THE SHOP. 217 matter of her gossip it would often have been in vain to in- historyquire ; butin the on thisneighbourhood, you might rely and that, particularly in matters if ofthe domestic subject formedapproached ; and, the moreover, borders ofif youscandal, were Megpleased was to certain accept to a bestate- in- mentnarrative of thewith case such incollateral hand more references Raffanico, as carried you obtained its authen- a wasticity at home a loss towhat the toweakest think about capacity. it. HePoor doubted Sandy whether Peterkin he shopshould he have began allowed to wonder Meg to whether go on, andit was after favourable she had leftto the moralsstand by of Jockand hearWill’s Meg apprentice gossiping that away he had as beenshe hadallowed done. to personally,But it was pastto have and eithergone now;compunctions the apprentice or apprehensions did not seem, on inthe the subject; region and of polemicshe certainly into failed which to showSandy, the with like a interestview to fortifyeasy transition. his mind, endeavoured incontinently to lead him by an avizandum.Sandy Peterkin In three took days the after subject it was of thenoised two abroad marriages in the to generalof the humblecommunity souter, of Pyketillimwas to marry that WillieMary Howie,M‘Aul, theand sonbe farmerBirse, junior,of Gushetneuk, farmer’s son,vice Clinkstyle,Johnny Gibb; was asto alsobe marriedthat Peter to thePettiphog, grand-daughter the celebrated of a fish lawyer, cadger, had and been that invoked the aid to of get Mr. a wouldsettlement be deprived legally made,of his rightwhereby as heir the ofsaid the Peter tack ofBirse, Clinkstyle, junior, onand his sent own adrift account, to somewhere with his low-casteundetermined, wife. to follow fortune CHAPTER XXXIX. patie’s wedding. ^WT was a natural enough result of the maternal policy ^5) adopted in his case that Peter Birse, junior, should, marriagein a sort shouldof reckless not pass “wudden over otherwise dream,” thandetermine in the thatform his of aBirse regular with out-and-out a shock that demonstration. made her hardy The frame news vibrate fell on fromMrs. throughhead to inheel. a way She that had would hoped hardly that admit it might of its beattaining smuggled the anddimensions his bride of hada public actually event invited at all. a Butcompany to be told of fully that thirtyPeter andpersons, residents consisting in the chiefly Kirktown, of farm whose servants, gentility male was and more female, than questionable;was to come off and at that,the house of all ofplaces Samuel in the Pikshule, world, the the marriage bellman wellof Pyketillim, be expected was to more bear thanup under. the heart-broken mother could the Peterrecent was settlement, deaf to allforced entreaty, on by however. his mother, In he the had matter shown of himself“ legal acumen a man ” ofof safeMr. Pettiphog,instincts, inasmuchhe had stubbornly as, despite refused the gotto sign formally a renunciation awarded to of him the whatlease ofhe Clinkstyleconsidered until a sufficient he had Withequivalent the capital in the thus shape provided of a ingood store, round Peter sum felt asof indepen- money. dent and confident as a man would naturally do in the circum- moyenstances, for his a purpose placie comebeing, time as his; an’ father gin naethingphrased dinnait, “ to turn lay nowteup ere beasts.”simmer, tak’And a asgirse the parkie marriage or twa, festivities an’ trock were aboot frowned amo’ thatdown they and shouldignored receive at Clinkstyle, their legitimate what more development appropriate under than coveredthe hospitable to be a roofremote of relativeSarnie Pikshule,of the bride, who and had had been accord- dis- heringly excellent readily givenprospects. her a sheltering bield when he heard of patie’s wedding. 219 to workIn carrying in quite out a hisbusiness-like arrangements, style. Peter True, Birse, he junior,was a wentlittle perplexedto “ post him as toup form; ” in a butvery in satisfactory this Samuel measure Pikshule ; andwas Peterable min,had called ye’ve ongaen Tam throu’ Meerison, ’t a’ yersel’ in a friendlynae lang way, syne with ; an’ a “you Hoot, an’ Jinsetation maun was notcome to an’ be help’s resisted, to keep and up thethe spree.”mole-catcher The invi-was pressedhaired orra into man, the whoservice, has beenit being mentioned left to ashim an and old friendthe red ot youngPeter’s, man to settle; and whothey “should drew cuts,”be “best,” whereby and itwho was “warst”decided honour.that the mole-catcherPeter had gone was to not Jonathan to have Tawse the higher with hispost best of bannsyoung manduly onarranged. the “ buikin Jonathan, nicht,” toand encourage got the publication him, had re- of marked,Sunday aifter“Ye’ll the better mairriage.” come an'Peter get did yersel’s not seem session’t to see the proprietyto say, “Ah-wa, of this, andman, demurred, it winna whereathin’er ye the lang. dominie Fan went ance on fowk’seese o’ pittena lang say-awa’.their necks I anethwat I’m the muckleyoke thegither, o’ aul’ Mr. fat’s Keith’s the wyebe rebukit o’ thinkin’. that heMony made was man the an’ pair wife that afore cam’up they wanto him owre to mairryinthe kirk fandoor they again, cam’ though there nor they I haehad o’ naegaen mair to Botany thocht Bay o’ faimilythe morn. ’ll beShe’ll weel at be the an road uncommon shortly, Peter,suitable man.” wife, an’ yer Muggart’s.The bridegroom’s Clinkstyle partywas forbidden mainly assembled; yet Hairry at lentHairry the wouldoccasion in hisdue countenance course soften on down,the calculation and it would that Mrs.then Birsebe a pleasingPeter Birse, recollection senior, had to havebeen absolutelybefriended forbiddenPeter in histo attendneed. werethe marriage; heir-apparent, but Rob,and who had beenso recently taking becomecounsel aswith it theBirse, red-haired was not orra only man, determined sadly to theto attenddisgust the of Mrs.marriage, and Miss but thathighly this up provedin spirits to beat thethe thoughtcase. For, of it. as Andit turned lucky out, it wasthe unsophisticatedthe extent of the mole-catcher responsibilities had failedlaid upon altogether him as to “realise warst quietlyyoung man.”aside at Whenthe end the of Hairry’sred-haired peat-stack orra man to arrangecalled him for 220 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. theMolie proper had madeperformance no provision of their for doingduties, anything it was foundbeyond that the part“Bleezes, of a simple min,” layman exclaimed on the occasion.the red-haired orra man, a“ wasninpistill nedderin ye never !” at a mairriage i’ yer life ? Nae fusky, nor hibitedThe thered-haired necks oforra a couple man hitched of quart half-way bottles; round one peepingand ex- fromand he under dragged the ample from flapthe interiorof each of histhe goodly same garment coat pouches a for- ; wear,midable which flintlock he not horse quite accuratelypistol, considerably designated the his worse“ holster.” for decorationThe mole-catcher, of his whoseown person, sole attention and who had did been not given feel toquite the andat ease said in :— his high shirt neck and long hat, looked foolish, ““Buff But I an’never nonsense, cud sheet min! neen Aw ony say, wye.” Rob!” shouted the red-hairedBirse round orra the man, comer stretching of the peat-stack,forward, and “ man, addressing ye ’ll needa Rob gi’edrap Molie wi”im!” yon bottle’t I gied you to cairry; he hisna fesh’n a gestionRob ; didand not the seem mole-catcher quite willing by ato happy comply thought with thisat oncesug- extricated“ Mithna them he fromdee’t all’imsel’?” difficulty. his “Aypocket wull to aw,”show said that Rob, he wasbrightening not behind up andin the fumbling matter inof fire-arms.“ Dozen’t; it lea’es us terrible bare o’ the stuff,” said the bestNow young the man. red-haired orra man had given Rob the third threebottle availableto carry simplypouches. as a Soreserve the thoughtfor him, wasseeing a natural he had one. not But“ he Weel, was weel,a man we of canna prompt better action. dee, aw suppose. Come on, aloneRob; ”at and the away “ stack they mou’.” went full swing, leaving the mole-catcher Birse,Ten junior, minutes being after, consigned and the pro party tem. was to the marshalled, care of a couplePeter of sturdy“ Noo, bride’s-maids, heelie, till we set wun out awa’ in the twa-three “ loudest rig ” rustic lenths fashion. at ony inrate,” the said character the red-haired of “ Sen’s orra ” to man.Sarnie And Pikshule’s, he and dulyRob setto in-on PATIE’S WEDDING. 221 quire if there was a bride there. “Are ye load?” queried the sheetin.”orra man. They“We wereneedna right pit opposite in primin’ Clinkstyle till we hear at somethe moment, o’ them and just heaving in sight of Mains of Yawal. Mains’s “boys” wordshad determined had scarcely to escapedgive them the ared-haired regular fusilade, orra man’s and lipsthe manwhen stopped, a faint pulledcrack wasthe powderheard inhorn that from direction. his breek The pouch, orra theseized horn the to cork Rob, in hiswith teeth, a nod primed to follow his “holster,” his example and quickly.handed went.Then they fired; then they marched again, reloading as they haired“ Sang, orra weman, winna and Rob,lat them with fara loud awa’ laugh, wi’ ’t,” declared said the it red-was “ first-rate.”Had they been in the interior of the parlour at Clinkstyle uttered—at that moment, they would have heard these words faintly me. “Ah,Mony’s ’Liza, the’Liza, trial’t that we sheetinmaun endurewill be fan the we’re deeth i’ theo’ word.”path o’ duty. Maister MacCassock never spak’ a truer haired“My orra certie, man. hiv “Na,aw tint na; my it’s gless!” here i’exclaimed my oxter the pouch. red- inTak’ a han’-clap care an’ nae; an’ brak ’t wud yours never ; we’re dee naeseer toto bemeet ready somebody wi’ the withinleems forcry.” oor first fit. An’ some o’ Mains’s boys’s sure to be hadThe not orragone man over was a hundred perfectly yards right infarther, his forecast; when, turning for they a wife,corner, proceeding whom should homeward they encounterfrom the Kirktown.but the excellent hen- that’s“ Hilloa, capital. Meg Fa ! ” roaredwud ’a the thocht red-haired it! Oh, orra Meg,man. Meg,“ Heth, aw thocht“’Serve you an’ me—the me wud ‘sen’s!’”mak’ something exclaimed o’’t aye.”Meg, lifting her hands“ Haud very high.my holster here noo, Rob,” said the best young hisman, bottles in a thoroughly; then drew business the glass key. from theHe recesses pulled ofout his one oxter of thatpouch, had and lodged after shakingtherein, outand theblowing debris into of dustthe interiorand “ cauff to in- ” oversure itsthe being edge andperfectly over hisclean, fingers. poured out till the whisky ran 222 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. Meg wished them “ muckle joy,” primly kissed the glass, and“ offeredOot wi’ it ’t,” back. shouted both the “ sen’s.” —I “wud Eh, seenmy laddies be o’ my ; it braid wud backgar me amo’ tine the my gutters.” feet a’thegither “ Wheep“ Feint it oot;a fears yer garrino’ ye,” huz said loss the time.” red-haired orra man. “ Weel, aw’m seer I wuss ye a’ weel,” said Meg, as she away.demurely returned the glass to her lips and took it empty “See, I kent ye wudna thraw yer face at it,” said our energeticThen friend.they made Meg promise, as “ first fit,” to turn and walkMeg backassured a spacethem whenshe would she met do. theThe marriage “ sen’s ”party, hurried which on; “and red after lan’ ”the to nextmeet volley Mains they of Yawal’s made a men detour half-way, through and a bit give of andthem not their a singledram. wayfarerThe orra that man they did metnot dobut things had theby halves, hospi- instancestalities of wouldthe bottle less thrustthan emptyingon him or the her; glass, and asin veryin Meg few “Raffan’s We ’ll case,need suffice.’a see an’No get wonder a drap if mair the orraat the man Kir’ton should ; say,aw neverIt disna was maitter, naarer we nicket ’re a i’ hantle my life better nor wi’wuntin that ’im.”creatur, Molie. AndMeg thusRaffan they pursued went heron toonward Samie way, Pikshule’s. passing the marriage party“ Na, with Hairry, many hilariousbut ye are exclamations a feel auP breet,” on both said sides. Meg to our ponderousfriend the wright,style, with who a wasblooming bringing young up thedamsel rear byin his side.own leeft“ Aw Mistressthocht your Muggart daft days at hame, wus deenno. asBut weel’s bide mine.ye still, Ye gin Ve I amo’dinna the tell young ’er fat lasses wye ye!” cairry on fan ye win awa’ oot aboot acrossIn pointnext night,of fact, and Meg have had a already“ hyse” madewith Hairryup her mindon the to sub- be jectthe fullgenerally, details whenof the she wedding would, at without first hand. the least trouble, get CHAPTER XL. THE “NEWS” OF THE MARRIAGE. “ ■jSj U ay, Hairry, man ! This is a bonny wye o’ gyaun on! Ssf Dinna ye gar me troo’t ye wasna dancin’ the heilan’ awalloch file o’ anthe aul’ streen. day toFa rest wud yer ’a thocht’tbanes aifter ye wud the ’amairriage been needin’ ?” as sheSuch entered was the the form dwelling of salutation of Hairry adopted Muggart by Megearly Raffanin the stretchedafternoon atof fullthe lengthday after on Patie’sthe deece. wedding, and found Hairry Muggart’s“ Deed, wife. an’ ye“ Comemay jist awa’ben say’t, an’leanHennie,” ye answered doon. Fat Hairry time, think“ Weel, ye, came but it’she hame,a lang roadnoo ?” atween this an’ the Broch, min’ mairriageye,” said Hairry.afore it war“An’ weel ye gloam’t.” cudna expeck fowk hame fae a haud“Weel my tongue, gloam’t!” than. exclaimed Better to Mrs. ye speak Muggart. o’ grey “I’sedaylicht jist i’ the “Hoot,mornin’.” fye!” answered Hairry. “The souter’s lamp tollwasna road.” oot at Smiddyward fan I cam’ in’o sicht o’’t fae the henwife.“Ou, weel-a-wat,“Ye hed beenye’ve hamedeen won’erfu’,ere cock-craw Hairry,” at ony said rate. the themAn’ nae made doot siccar it wud an’ wanbe throu’ awa’ faethe the aiftemeen Kirton.” afore ye gat “ Hoot,Ay, an’ noo dennerin ; aw mith an’ ae’a min’etthing orupo’ ither.” that. An’ coorse the likeshabby. o’ young Hed Peterthey aBirse set denner, wudna saidpit’s ye fowk ?” aff wi’ naething Sarnie’s“Weel, wife an was they fell hedna, sweir Ito ’se fash baud wi’ my the tongue. kyeukin Awb’lieveo’’t. Jist tofan luik they in. war ‘ Weel,i’ the deidI ’se thrawpit it to aboot you, itHairry,’ the tither says day, she. I chanc’t‘ Fan doon—sax-an’-thertySamie an’ me wus mairriet blue-lippet there plateswas a byowtifu’(as mony brakfist plates setas 224 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. mony fowk) naetly full’t o’ milk pottage wi’ a braw dossie o’ horngweed speens broon as sugar ever Cairdi’ the Youngmiddle turn’to’ ilka oot dish, o”s an’ caums as protty lyin’ aside the plates, ready for the fowk to fa’ tee. Eh, but it was thea bonny denner! sicht; fan I mymin’’t lucky as deddyweel’s ginfell’t it ahed hielan’ been sheep, fernyear. an’ ilkaAn’ ha’verane o’ the bucksroast an’ cam’ boil’t, there an’ wi’han”t ’s knife roun’ in’s amo’ pouch the pairty. to cut Hean’ youngwas a walthyloon gae up-throu’ sic len’ths fairmer, ?’ says but she. fat need‘ Ou, thenever like ye o’ min’, that hardMrs. ginPikshule,’ ye dinna says get I, a ‘shank gin there o’’t—It be a ’ll sheep only bea-gyaun, the borrowin’ it ’ll be tree’.”o’ a muckle kail pot to gae o’ the tither en’ o’ yer rantle- wasna“Na, far butwrang, there it wudnawud be be a easy richt gettin’ denner—Nelly knives an’ Pikshuleforks for sic a“ N—,multiteed.” weel, ye see, puckles o’ the young fowk wudna kent sair foo to mak’ eese o’ them, though they hed hed them. wi’Samie ;s fir ’imsel’ gullie, cuttit ’t I patfeckly, an edgebit aifter on till bit, ’im on fora mucklethe vera ashet, pur- poseweel-a-wat, ; ithers twa o’’s three han’t o’ it them roun’; files an’ at they the samecam’ aplate, braw an speed, feint toa flee kitchie’t but their wi’ i’fingers—a the tither.” tatie i’ the tae han’, an’ something sister“ Eh, wusna wasnin’t there toa pitysee thethat enterteenment,” the bridegreem’s said mither Meg, rather an’ ’s wickedly.“ Aifter we“ Weel, hed gottenye wud a dram;start for an’ the wuss’t Broch them syne luck. ?” But jistnever as i’we yer wus born settin’ days! to theAw’m road, seer sic aan’ reerie’s there was gat aneup ye sheetin’ heard youngthere wasmen a hed score—wi’ been oot pistills gi’ein an’draps guns o’ o’drams; a’ kin an’ kin’. /Aey Thehed their pistills, an’ severals forbye ; an’ the tae side was sheetin, earthan’ the like tither a vera sheetin battle; back an’ upo’ syne them, they till begood it was fungin’ for a’ thean’ throwin’“ Na, aul’sirs; sheen, but yeding hed dang, been like merry. a shoo’er Sic o’ a hailstanes.” pity that ye ye,hedna ye wudmeesic. ’a been Gin fairly ye hedin order.” hed Piper Huljets at the heid o’ shule“ Hoot,’imsel’ Meg; jist afat prencipal are ye speakin’ han’ at abootthe pipes ? Isna fan Samie he likes? Pik- Aweel,shaltie, itan’ was play arreeng’t the pipes that a’ theSamie road, sud a wee ride bittie upon’s afore—he’s bit grey THE “NEWS” OF THE MARRIAGE. 225 illsaiddlie at gyaun,ye wi’ an ken,aul’ saickan’eeswallyrides in aneth’t. uponBut aul’a bit an’ timmer crazy kin’o’though a the gutters,beastie be,pipes I ’se an’ asseer a’, fan ye a itchap was firesaweers his o’pistill—crack!— foalin’ Samie i’ roon’the shaltie’s the nyeuk niz! o’ Samiethe hoose—a hed jist gryte, begun blunt to blaw, shot, an’fair ye afore cud ’ato heardthe tae the side, drones the ‘ gruntin’blower ’ awa’,skytit fan oot the o’ Sarnie’sshaltie gya mou’, a swarve an’ he hed“Na; muckle but adee that to wusnakeep fae canny!” coupin exclaimedowre ’imseP.” both Hairry’s auditors“ Samie simultaneously. was fell ill-pleas’t, I can tell ye,” continued Hairry ‘Muggart. or I ’ll not “‘Seelenceplay anoder thatstroke shottin for no thisman moment!’ livin’.’ ” says he, “ AwatEh, but Samie it wusna was on’smowse,” maijesty. said Mrs. ‘ Ye Muggart. seerly don’t know chancethe danger i’ the o’ wordle fat ye that ’re aboot,’that shot says didna he. rive‘ It’s my chanterthe merest wi’ doon,the reboon an’ luikso”t.’ atAn’ it wi’wi’ ’s that heid he tothooms the tae the side.chanter ‘ Ye a’ updinna an’ stan’seem o’to pipes be awaar as ony o’ manfat ye ever ’re aboot.tyeuk in’sI onceoxter gotclean as connachtgweed a the “vera Weel same ?” queried gate,’ says Meg. Samie.” muntit“Hoot! wi’ red Fa an’ sud blue hin’er ribbons. Samie An’ to ov hae coorse the itpipes was naitrala’ fine thatthe chanter.he sud like Weel, to be awa’ta’en wesome gaes notice wP Samieo’. Nae o’ fearthe shaltie,o’ rivin thenoddle-noddlin pipes scraichin aneth like ’im, onything. ’s feet naarFor doon a wee at filie the thegrun, chaps an’ keepito’ a dance fell weelahin inSamie’s order; theyjist gi’eincud win a bitat it‘ hooch,’for their an’ pairtners; a caper wusfor ye gyaun see the airm-in-airm. muckle feck o’But the aw young b’lieve chaps ere wehed wan lasses, to thean’ again.fit o’ the Mains’sKirktoon chiels rigs theywus warlowst brakin’ gin that oot an’time, at an’the wesheetin wus awa’;nae seener an’ forbye clear guns,o’ the fat Kirton hed the nor nickums they war deen at butit bleezin pitten naarwheel, a synepun’ culf’to’ blastin’ it, an’ pooder laid it doonin’o theaneth bush the o’ briggie an aul’ at cairt the wefit o’gaes the wi’Clinkstyle Sarnie’s road,pipes wi’ skirlin’ a match at theat it.heid Owre o’’s, thean’ briggiepistills aff,crackin’ garrin awa’ the hynevera backroad shak’ahin, anethfan the oor terriblest feet!” platoon gaes 226 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. “ Keep’s an’ guide’s!” said Meg. “ Aw houp there wasna naebody“ Ou, hurtit.”feint ane : only Sarnie’s shaltie snappert an’ pat ’im in a byous ill teen again. But I’m seer ye mitha heard the milenoise awa’.” o’ ’s sheetin an’ pipin’, lat aleen the blast, naar three lockin’“Weel, my bitsaw o’was doories, jist cornin’ an’ seein’ up i’that the neenearly o’ gloamin, the creaturs fae wasnaan’t had reestin been theWhitsunday furth, fan asaw it’s heard Mairti’mas a feerious aw lood wud rum’le—’a raelly asaid squallachin it was thunner. o’ fowk But by wi’ordinar’, that therean’ the comes skirl up o’ o’ the the pipes win’ heardabeen a’.ye !”That was the mairriage—Heard you! Aw wat, aw vera“ quate—onlyOh, but fan theyit disna wan dee geylies nae tooot be o’ cheerykent boun’s at a mairriage, they war ye ken.”“ An’ fat time wan ye there ?” ““An’ Weel, ye itwud was a’ gyaun be yap upo’ aneuch seyven gin o’clock.” than!” there“Nyod, was a Igran’ was taefreely wytin’s. hungry, An ony aunt wye. o’ theBut bride’s aw waswat butthere unco to welcome braid spoken; the fowk; aw’m a richt thinkin’ jellie wifeshe maunin a close be faemutch, the wuscoast jist side, heapit i’ the at onyCollieston rate; an’ wan, as monyor some yalla wye. fish setThe doon tables as wud“An’ ’a full’t was a Peter box barrow, ’imsel’ onyonlee’t.” hearty, noo?” breeder“ Wusnin tee, fan ’e jist!the dancin’Aw wuss begood. ye hed Itseen wudna ’im; deean’ toRob say’t his theye ken, lave, but an’ Robbienae doot hed the been gless tastin’o’ punch’t draps, they as gatweel’s o’ the some back o’ o’ their tae hed ta’en o’ the loon ; but an he didna tak’ it oot awa’o’ twa anent three ’im o’ theb’ wye lasses, o’ pairtner, forbye the wi’ aul’ ’er fishwife,ban’s in ’t ’er was sides bobbin an’ thea kin’ strings o’ a buto’ ’er an’ mutch a ben, fleeinan’ it wusnalowse. langIt’s till but it agrew little feeriqus placie, het.“ Weel,I ’se asseer Mistress ye, dancin’Muggart, wasna isna jeestieyer man to athem feel thataul’ breettry*! it.” to be cairryin on that gate amon’ a puckle daft young fowk?” like“ an Deed aul’ isfeel’.” ’e, Hennie; but as the sayin’ is, ‘ there’s nae feel Hairry,“ Ou, “ but an’ yewud wud ’a ’adanc’t baith brawly been blythe gin ye to hedbe there, been noo,” bidden.” said THE “NEWS” OF THE MARRIAGE. 22/ “ An’ Samie ga’e ye the meesic?” cheelie“ Maist there’t pairt. cud Theyplay some—butgot a haud theo’ atreble fiddle—there string brak, was so a thatbreathin’, wudna he dee.wud sowffAn’ files,a spring fan tothey twa war three takin’ o’ thema kin’ ; oro’ bessSamie till eeswally ’imsel’ singin’,sat i’ the wi’ tither the fiddle, en’ to siclikebe oot aso’ theirit was. road, Only an’ fyoumak’ o”smair that room wusna for the carein’ dancers, aboot an’ thediri’t steer up thetakin’ pipes, a smoke wi’ a aside“ Na,’im.” but ye hed been makin’ yersel’s richt comfortable. Hedna“ Hoot ye theay; sweetiehoot ay; wives?” till they war forc’t to gi’e them maet o’clock.an’ drink An’an’ ginget than,”them continuedpackit awa’—that Hairry, “ Iwas was aboot beginnin’ ten naeto min’’t eese o’I wytinhed a forbit thetraivel young afore fowk me. to beAw company kent there till’s, was for licklythey wud be bea ployseer toi’ thedance hin’eren’ on for ata thefile, beddin’an’ than o’ therethe new-wud marrietawa’ oot, fowk; sin’ry solike, Tam aifter Meerison sayin’ goodan’ me nicht forgathered to the bride an’ crapin a be.quate We wye—Peter made’s gin was we gey hed noisy been gin wuntin that time, a gluff so o’we the loot caller him hameair; but thegither wi’ that, like fan gweed ance billies.”we wus thereoot, we tyeuk the road CHAPTEE XL I. THE MANSE SCHEME. cT/®IKEPeter most Birse, events junior, of a servedsimilar as character, a nine days’the marriage wonder toof theYet peopleto the diplomaticof Pyketillim—neither mind of Mrs. more Birse, nor the less nine than days that.had tonot certify expired, the when world it of seemed the fact good that, that despite means the should untowardness be taken inof recentsocial statusevents, nor the ecclesiastical family of Clinkstyle character. had sufferedIt was not neither very longGuthrie, before had this perambulated that that “big Scotland beggar man,”in behalf the Rev. of the Thomas Free visitedChurch theManse Broch, Scheme. and addressed In the coursea public of meetinghis travels in hethe had re- centlyGibb, theerected souter, Free and Kirkthe smith there. had Totramped that meetingall the way Johnny. from speaker’sPyketillim. graphic They story had oflistened parish withkirks profound in the highlands, interest towhere the thekirks scant through handful which of worshippersat their fullest sat you“ like might crows not in merelythe mist; fire ” awithout cannon hurting ball, as anybody; some one theirhad said,indignation but “a carthad loadburned of whins,” keenly asfamily there forced was setto leavebefore the them comfortable the picture manse, of the the minister’s pleasant tohome the distantof many town, years, while and the go persecutedaway, the motherminister and himself children was fainhut thatto take the lairdup his had abode no power in some to keep miserable him out out-of-the-way of; a hut so alikemiserable visited that him summer through rainsthe roof and and winter sides, frosts till the and poor snows man fortshad almost,of his orcheerless altogether, abode. sunk Afterphysically all this, under set the forth discom- with themingled speaker humour told withand pathos,hardly greaterwhile the force deep, on eloquentthe ear than tones the of neededgleam ofbut his the singularly faintest indication expressive in theface way did ofon direct the appealeye, it THE MANSE SCHEME. 229 tosubscriber make Johnny of ^5 Gibb to the determine Manse Fund.to put downThe hissubscriptions name as a andasked Johnny were payable Gibb said, in one “ Ou, year, we’se or in pay’t five yearlyaff at theinstalments, nail; fa kensIt fatwas may not happen that Johnny ere five made year acome boast an’ of gae.” his subscription andto the smith Manse had Fund; other claimsfar from which it. Asemphatically he knew that forbade the souter their themfollowing that histhe example,sum he gave he was was atin painsa manner to make a representative it appear to contribution“ Ye see we from ’ll need the Freea manse Kirk oorsel’s,” in Pyketillim. said Johnny. “ Nae bedoot a wehantle ’ll get adee it a’ till’s back, a’. an’ mairBut wi’fa cud’t; an’ hear still the an’ likeon there o’ yon ’ll onbeenMaister roos’t Guthrie; to the keepin’vera itmost awa’ ? fae’sOh, butdroll he’s stories, a gran’ he’s speaker, like verasome glaido’ the toaul’ hear ancient ’im crackinwoorthies’t wi’ oorwe readnain o’;minaister, an’ aw wasan’ speerinNevertheless, aboot the kirkJohnny an’ siclike.”Gibb’s subscription to the great KirkManse folks Scheme in Pyketillim, became the and subject of laudatory of talk amongtalk, too; the inas-Free verymuch liberal as it was acts deemed done by a Johnnyvery liberal in the act, building following of on the sundry kirk. variousWould anypeople one elseat various do the otherlike ? waspeople; the questionand these asked latter by doubtedA few it, days although after thethey events could recordedgive no conclusivein the last reply.two chap- whenters, MissMrs. BirseBirse hadtook raised occasion the toquestion enlarge withon theher meritsmother, of renderedMr. MacCassock, in the interest and not ofless the on Freethe zealous Kirk andservices that alreadyof the ministerCassock shouldby the havefamily ; but,at Clinkstyle.while anybody A mansemight gainMr. aMac- cer- tainBirse ecl&t desired by a to “ supperscriptiongive her valuable to services,an Edinboro in the Fond,” shape Mrs. of a ofsocial the localmeeting Manse to be Scheme. held at Clinkstyle, in direct promotion to MissThe Birse.proposal Both was mother one that, and on daughter the whole, felt commended that the intended itself itssoiree—to novelty giveand itsplendour, the correct to designation—couldexcite attention, and not dazzle fail from the things,intellect to of wipe Pyketillim out all recollection in a way that of Patie’swould tend,unhappy among wedding other 230 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. to erectThe successa manse of tothe the soiree Rev. for Mr. inauguration MacCassock of thewas, proposal on the Johnnywhole, gratifying. Gibb, the souter,The persons the smith, invited the merchanto attend1, andit included Sandy necessaryPeterkin, even.to stop The somewhere mole-catcher in the was social not scale,asked. and It Mrs.was mole-catcher.Birse resolved to draw the line just over the head of the Mrs.“ It’sBirse. nae’t “He’s we wud gweed wuss aneuch to lichtlifie in’s nain the place; creatur,” an’ sma’said blameneed to till min’’t’s ’im though upfeshin he ken wasna little veraaboot lordlifu’—Willna menners, fowk wud we ’Liza.seek HairryThat’s Muggart jist like ? aneDeed o’ yerwe ’llfader’s dee naething senseless o’ projecks.the kin’, mak’He may ’imseP be nevereesefu’ so noo; aul’ abut neebour, yer fader an’ neversud ken so weel-will’t brawly that to he hisna been gryte spyauck for him ony vrye. He’s jist been heid;a rael anoonstable he’s been man, owre though ready heto behas goy’t aye owre a fair wi’ tongue ’im—little in’s kentwon’er owre nor weel he was fa itdefate was’t o’ was bein’ proposin’ made an him; el’yer. a man’tThe fowk hed o’made the ’imsel’wordle soturn’t kenspeckle aside in at sic the a Judas-likefirst ootset, menner.” an’ syne for love tationIn pointto the of soiree fact, onHairry the ground Muggart of hadprinciple; no claim and to although an invi- cerned,Hairry, hadafter once he knewmore pronouncedhis fate in so himself far as anhis adherent croft was of con- the Free Kirk, it was a weak thing in Peter Birse to suggest that felthe shouldHairry’s be presence invited. comforting,Peter, for andhis heown urged part, that would his friend have oughtwas a to“ gran’ be to speaker.” improve theHe occasion was reminded in the way that of his re-establish- chief care ing Thehis own exclusion somewhat of Hairryobscured Muggart ecclesiastical was unlucky reputation. in this ofwise. his businessOur old journeysfriend Dawvid in the Hadden,late gloamin, in returning and in fromexcellent one Clinkstyle,spirits, had andobserved “jalousin the ”unusual that something brilliancy must of bethe going lights on, at meantDawvid, to as arouse he passed sore therecollections henwife’s door, in the with henwife’s a levity ofbreast, tone but “Fat’swhich hebeen speedily adee wi’had yer reason braw to oohsomrepent, criedtreen, in—the wife o’ neistClinkstyle, ?” the nicht ava—Is she gettin’ ’er dother marriet THE MANSE SCHEME. 231 “ Dear be here, Dawvid, fat wud gar the like o’ you speer a question o’ that kin’ ?” said Meg Raffan. bleezin“ Ou,” o’ lichtanswered like aDawvid, new gless “ ilka booet. window There o’ theirmaun hoose ’a been is fowk“ Fowkthere.” there!” exclaimed Meg. “ Weel, an’ there hinna gweedbeen that, thing ye’re for somenae mark.o’’s to haeOh, theDawvid, markness Dawvid, o’ nicht it’s toa feshmoderate us hame things files. is exkeesable,Nae doot fanbut fowk seerly meets it’s gyaunin wi’ companyowre the bows“Fat to foryet dive faurye mean?” ye’ve been.” said Dawvid, sharply, “1 wasna there,“ Hoot, I tell noo,”you, woman!”answered Meg, with provoking persistency, mistak’s,“ I’m nae an’ refleckin lies doon o’ ye, i’ the Dawvid, gutter, man; or tynes mony their ane roadplays a’the- waur gither,“ They cornin’ ’re faeno freenstheir freen’s o’ mine; hoose.” an’ I’m not i’ the haibit o’ goin’“ Dinnathere,” besaid sayin”t Dawvid, noo, with Dawvid. rising dignity.Fa sud be inveetit to fairmsClinkstyle has butto be Maister mizzourt Hadden, aff an’ arreeng’tSir Seemon’s for them’t’s awgent; to fanget them,“ It’s fa cana lie, dee’t I tell but ye!” him roared? Wow, Dawvid, sirs—wasna and asthere! he roared ” hesnap. marched abruptly off, shutting Meg Raffan’s door with a that’s“There seer aneuchmaun hae; the been creatur something Aas a drap or in,ither or gyaunhe wudna on, beennotic’t tiggin onything wi”s. oot o’But the he’s ordinar’ nae assae he farcam’ on bye.” but heSo wudmused ’a aboutMeg Raffan it on withthe morrow.herself. AndHer firstMeg movement resolved to was find to out catch all butHairry all HairryMuggart could as he tell went was pastthat inthere the hadmorning been to“ a his pairty— work, thingssome kin’ considered, o’ a kirk affair,”it was extremewhereupon ill-usage Meg suggestedto Hairry that,to have all faileddisappointed, of inviting seeing him he; and had Hairry some hardlyservices denied to speak that heof, wasnot endeavoured,the least considerable against his of betterwhich judgment, were the friendlyto give Peter lift he Birse, had ofsenior, respectability when he wantedthrown tointo be themade initial an elder; stage and of Peterthe element Birse, junior’s,ever, Hairry wedded bore life it withby his what presence resignation at his hemarriage. could. How- 232 TOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. shop.The Hersame object afternoon this time found was Meg to gather Raffan news, at the not Kirktown to distri- thatbute. JockIt didWill not was tend in theto promoteshop along success with inSandy this operationPeterkin. pumpedHad Sandy him beento the alone, extent Meg of his felt knowledge. confident sheWith could Jock haveWill waspresent, a different Sandy wasmatter. not accessible,Jock was andbland to pumpand civil, Jock andhimself his repliesdrawn toout Meg by leadingwere candid questions, and andliteral; as littlebut he would could indirect not be admissions.thrusts in a banteringMeg was style somewhat serve to betraynonplussed. him into She inadvertent had got advancevery little her, beyond and thenow, point with to herwhich artillery Hairry almost had been exhausted, able to patienceand Jock also Will were giving exhausted, distinct she indication felt the difficulty that his of time hanging and on longer.“An’ yer mither is keepin’ middlin’ stoot ?” asked Meg, as cernshe made for Mrs. to leave, Will’s with state an of emphasis health. indicative of special con- cause“ Ou, that she’s Meg fine,”had toanswered doubt aJock, previous who wasassurance unaware she of hadany got “on I thochtentering she that was Mrs. luikin Will warsh was like“ vera fan weel, I got thank a went ye.” o’ ’er the Meg’stither ouk;drift thusbut’t’s far wasso seldom’t obvious; weand see Jock ither Will noo-a-days.” could not do less than invite her in to see his mother. Once into the naturallyhouse, Meg had “ lean’tto return her todoon his ” business,for a crack. and soThe soon merchan’ as he wasexclamation— gone the henwife came to the point at once, with the meetin’“ Ou, about they thewar kirk tellin’ at Clinkstyle’s there was the atither feerious nicht. interaistin An’ it’s nae ca’d aboot clypes, Mistress Wull, fan aw say’t yer nain deesters.sin was richt Awat muckle he needna thocht wunto’, an’ the ’ll maidenseen be o’ ane Clinkstyle, o’ the heid an’ he wullsWith tothis tak’ preface, ’er.” Meg speedily got out of the unsuspect- manseing widow meeting, every andparticular had asked that she several knew searchingabout the Clinkstylequestions beenbearing unable on the to subjectgive any collaterally, answer whatever, to which when Mrs. Jock,Will whohad had“ been Noo, scarcelymerchan’,” ten exclaimedminutes absent, Meg, withlooked an in air again. of perfect THE MANSE SCHEME. 233 satisfaction,begin an’ clatter “ ye ’reaboot fear’t oor that nain we transacks. sit owre lang But gin we ance ’re aul’we acquantances,sin’ we kent ither. min’ ye,I an’was mony’s jist o’ my the fit cheenge’t fan ye cam’ we Ve in—Eh seen na, Thataw cudna same bide gloamin, langer; as naeHainy the nicht.”Muggart plodded on his Megway homeward,Raffan, by theafter purest finishing accident, his day’s turned work up forin hisSir way,Simon, as heHadden passed was between walking the “alongside offices ” and Hairry, the Lodge “newsin,” gate. theDawvid two wuth.”being now,Hairry as Hairrystopped put at it,once only to “ conversefreens fae with the teethMeg, oot-and evidentlyDawvid made was toa sort step of on. broken halt too, though his disposition streen“Na, fan Dawvid,”I wuntit yesaid to tell’sMeg, aboot“ye yergaed pairty aff in at aClinkstyle. bung the forFa wuda manse ’a thocht till this it o’ ladye, noo—aMacCassock. braw new Nae hoose word to beo’ enter-biggit thedickin boddom them 0’noo. the Greens,Na, na; gin they’ll they like,be gettin’ a’ throu’ a stance fawvour, for’t an’ at haeinDawvid a freen was i’ thetaken coort. aback That by the is audacitycheeng’t ofwardles.” Meg’s address; assumebut in thean airpresence of nonchalant of Hairry knowingness, Muggart it and was so necessary Dawvid re-to plied—“Weel, Meg, ye’re the ae best han’ at gedderin a’ the getclaicks a manse, o’ the gin’s kwintra fowk side’t be willin’ I ken. to Fatbig itfor till sudna ’im ? theThat’s man nae“Keep’s buzness o’an’ yours guide’s, nor mineDawvid, nedderin, ye’re seerly?” dottlin a’thegither. haeHinna buzness, we a’ seenlayin’ fowk doon lang the ere law noo to rinnina’ kin’ abooto’ kirk preten’in’ fowk, bun’ to an’ “Free Is Sir alike Simon ?” raelly gi’ein a stance than ?” asked Hairry, with“Speer a good atdeal Dawvid of earnestness. there,” said Meg. “He’s aye the funtain-heidDawvid lookedo’ buzness.” somewhat embarrassed, when Hairry turneddignity, to he him said, inquiringly; with some butasperity, recovering “ Gin hisye becomposure edder to andgi’e heidI’ve tonaething a’ the idle adee jaw’t but yereel hear, aff Hairry,to you oraboot till imawginefat Sir Simon that thinginten’s o’ to the do kin’ ; an’ withoot mair saeony ginregaird ye think to fa thatmith I bewud in oordee com-Any- 234 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. pany at the time, ye maun be sair leeft to yerseP, man; that’s a’ that“ Ou, I ’sedinna say beaboot sae sanshach,it.” Dawvid/’said Meg, with great geckcomposure. that the “ goodwifeHairry disna o’ Clinkstyle need me togat tell aboot ’im aboot the fairm the be- o’ think‘ Newtoon;’ that she an’ cud nedder ’a forgi’en o”s wudyou forcoont that ’er yet; sic forbye’t a saunt it as leet to the haill kwintra ken foo kin’ she was to be, luikin oot for thesome laird o’ ’er nor neebours somefowk’t ; only’t we theyken wuswar raitherawaar o’.farrer Hooever, ben wi’ makin’she’s managin’ a fraise toaboot coort a themanse fawvour till ’im. o’ thisAn’ minaister fat think ladye haswi’ fiveshe garr’tpoun’ note,Peter naedee, to but be pit’s ahin han’your i’ freens,the moggan, Gushetneuk an’ gi’e an’ a theto gi’e merchan’. something An’ a’ the owre Miss heid. is to Jistbe at bide it colleckin ye still noo, amo’ an’ them, gin minaisterye dinna seelad awaddit manse tillbiggit the quineere this Birse time or towmon, some ither an’ ane,the my Goodname’s part nae of Raffan.” this was certainly meant to be heard by uttered,Dawvid DawvidHadden, had but gradually by the movedtime the on lasttill hesentence was almost was beyondderably earshot,altered tone,when said— Meg, lowering her key, and in a consi- naething“Ye see nettles we canna Dawvid dee waur ither nornor tolat be at lickened’im files; wi’ an the there’s wife o”imo’ Clinkstyle— bein’ socht JVas to he dine there wi’ ? Ah-wa’,Sir Simon. Hairry. Na, As na; seen they’ve speak loss’t-nahed their muckle sairin yersel’o’ ither—an’ o’ nae bein’chaep there. o’ them. It’s aBut gweed awat thing ye thinkin’fan near-b’gyaunness Gushetneuk hedna an’ gentility miss’t ’er rins for thegither;settin’ the fowk’tbut aw’m she borninveetit dummies. doon a’ Theroon wife ‘ the ’erseP parlour’—fat was bleezin’ ither—like in a mutch as an’ mony gum abootfloo’ers, like makin’ a vera oot duchess the tae, amo’in gryte them. style, AuP an’ thePeter Miss hed sailin’ been an’set pech’t,on to mak’ till some a speech o’ the ; lavebut tyeukdid little, up the peer sticks. stock, Hooever,but swat aNoo manse be toddlin,they ’re toHairry, hae; that’sfor Dawvid’s the short wytein an’ the ye lang oot o”t.—at the yettGweed there; nicht.” nae doot he ’ll be sayin’ we ’re speakin’ aboot ’im— CHAPTEE X L11. SIR SIMON INSTRUCTS DAWVID HADDEN. ^Cvj^HEN Sir Simon Frissal was about to leave his ances- tral seat at Glensnicker for a two months’ sojourn in ground-officer,Edinburgh, during Dawvid the Hadden,“dead of to winter,”give him hesuch called instructions for his functionaryas he considered during needful his absence. for the Theguidance footman of thathad zealouscarried morningdown the at message ten o’clock, that andSir SimonDawvid wished manifested to see his him wonted next enlarged“ Aw’m desire sayin’, to fulfil’oman, his ye’ve patron’s seerly behests. been lattin that bairns layThere’s tee theirthe cork han’ o’ tothe my ink-bottle vreetin oot;dask: an’ thatI div ’ll not never believe do. butmemorandum the lid o’ bookthe penner’s blottit oot been o’ ken. amo’ Yethe sudaise, be an’ awaar my vera gin thished timemy papers that I’m upo’ nae me.” responsible to gae afore Sir Simon on- and,Dawvid despite Hadden’s the pleasing wife haze had heardwhich similarconnubial addresses fidelity before; inter- ableposes to between apprehend, the wifewith and tolerable her husband distinctness, in such what cases, it was all selfmeant. meanwhile Dawvid, to itbe was really clear, angry; was tooso shewell did pleased not even with think him- byit necessary the band to of express junior regret Haddens, for the but raid said, made “Weel, on the “man, dask ”I cannaDawvid hae the got bairns the memorandum aye preen’t to bookmy tail.” stowed away in his contents“ oxter pouch,” and gravely after dulyadding scanning one or twothe pencilmore recent jottings. part Thenof its he started“You are for quitethe appointed aware, then, interview Hadden, with of Sir the Simon changes Frissal. that takeSir Simon. place during the ensuing season among tenants ?” said ping“ They’rethe board a’ of vrote his memorandumdoon here, sir,” book. answered Dawvid, tap- 236 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. “ MyThere—What book, sir; dothey you ’re mean reg’lar by enter’t.” that ? ” neuk,“ H—m. and a newThere’s tenant a changecomes into thethe occupationwright’s croft. of Gushet- Then stillthe oldvacant house, ?” occupied as a side school at Smiddyward, is said“ Dawvid,They ’re allagain here, tapping sir; with the memorandumthe full heids an’ book. particulars,” “ TheThat only is the one’t only can vacant be said cottage to be cleanat the vawcant. hamlet?” There’s beenHooever, nobody there’s there only sin’ a the fairm creatur servan’, Peterkin John wasGibb’s turn’t plough- oot. theman, road i’ the gif thehoose place that be Widow wuntit forWill anoder.” hed—he needna stan’ i’ croft,“ Ithat wish you you will to bearget written in mind, instructions with respect hereafter to the farmfrom andthe takefactor, all Mr. necessary Greenspex, measurements about getting of the some extent reliable of land person in new to attendgrass, andto one other or twothings other ; but matters. I Want you,Have in youthe seenfirst place,Birse atto Clinkstyle“ No, sir; recently?” but I was bearin’, on gweed authority, that he’s fairlydaachter. owre Theyto the ’re non-intrusions proposin’ byuldin noo, a as hoose weel’s for his a manse wife an’ to the Free Kirk minaister chappie.” ““Who It was told a vera you parteeclarthat?” acquantance’t hed it fae some o’ themsel’s.”“ I want you then to ascertain certain particulars without any“ loss I do of k-no time.” a good dale already, sir; but nae jist sae authenticquite awaar maybe hoo Ias can gin get it warfirst-han’ a maitter information.” o’ buzness—but I’m “ TakingI ’ll jist mak’the house a bit first—”memorandum at once,” said Dawvid, pulling“ Put out that his aside—yourblack-lead pencil. memory may serve for once,” said Sir Simon, in a tone that made Dawvid look blank. “ The labourcottage, and and expense other repairs, of putting were a borne,fresh roofyou ontold this me school-at the time,“ Ou,by Johncertaintly, Gibb.—Is sir, certaintly,”that so?” answered Dawvid, in a perplexed“ Well, sort as it of seems way. very likely the house will be required SIR SIMON INSTRUCTS DAWVID HADDEN. 237 hefor wouldoccupation consider again, an you equivalent ’ll go and for ascertain his outlay—get from Gibb it whatfrom himself“ Yes, personally.” sir. An’ wud it need to be shortly ?” see “Birse, At once. is the Themarch other at thematter, lower about end ofwhich his farm you betweenhave to crookedClinkstyle and and runs Gusheti off from uk. theThe Clinkstyle old bauk side there with isa verylong point“You’re into the quite other richt, farm, sir,” does said it not?”Dawvid, brightening up at k-nothe idea the ofspot his perfeckly,topographical Clinkstyle’s knowledge wastmost being consulted, intoon shift “ I upo’rins inthe wi’ place.” a lang nib, an’ a gushetie o’ finer lan’ there is not ““The Fully extent, that, sir, I am fully told, that. is aboutI never an patacre the and chyne a half?” till’t, but b’bye guess the bito’ e’eo’ naiturI’m sure girss it’s at aboot the burn-side.” an awcre an’ three reed, for- belonging“ Well, toit’s one very farm awkward and lying to intohave another—it a pendicle goes of that against sort enteredgood husbandry. on, I intend And to havenow, thewhen march a new straightened—you lease is to be will“ inform An’ wud Birse ye ofgi’e this.” ’im an’ excamb like? I doot he winna farrerbe keen up aboot the brae.” lossin’ the grip o’ that piece for the same breid petent“ He valuers—tell ’ll get an equivalent him so. reductionMr. Greenspex of rent, agrees fixed withby com- my- asself Gushetneuk in holding thatis the the smaller march oughtfarm of to the be straightened,two, it is advan- and tageous“ Weel, otherwise sir,” said to Dawvid,make the who addition was beginning to it.” to see rather formore him, than “ Ihe wud desired hae raither of somewhat a different unpleasant idea aboot work the squarin’cut out aff o’“ Ithat daresay,” nyeuk—” answered Sir Simon, dryly. gotten“ An’ mizzourt, wudna itafore be better ye proceedit to pit aff feenally for a little, ? I cud—”till it cud be Birse,“ It and may tell be him measured my mind, as weel and aftermake as sure before. that youGo adhereyou to fairlyliterally made to yourfor thisinstructions—tell acre and a half him or twothe valuationacres that will are beto beallowed cut off a hisdeduction farm, and of rentput to per Gushetneuk, acre according and thatto valuation.” he will be 238 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. ““Will No ; Mr.certainly Greenspex not at vritethis stage.’im to thatAttend effeck, to what sir?” I say— ofI want my wish, you andto go get first, his formalwithout consent. loss of time,Then and Mr. informGreenspex him whatwill carry you outhave the to arrangement.do is to ascertain You understandfrom John thenGibb thatthe consentamount toof cedehis outlaythis bit on of this ground?” house, and then to get Birse’s tone.“ Perfeckly weel, sir,” said Dawvid, in a slightly dubious now.“Well, If I Vesee gotthat anything you lose else no timeto say, about I ’ll it.leave You a message may go withThere Piggies, were the various butler.” thoughts coming and going in the mindSimon of Frissal Dawvid at theHadden close whenof the he interview left the brieflypresence narrated. of Sir tendedHe asked to himselfdo with whatSandy in Peterkin’sthe name ofold wonder cottage Sir and Simon school? in- forHe thedid purposenot half relishof offering the idea him of the going prospect to Johnny of payment Gibb even for Johnnyhis outlay would on thesenot structures.omit calling He up felt reminiscences morally certain of thathis, thatDawvid’s, not for previous the purpose connection of complimenting with the school him buildings,on the part and he had committedtaken. And a strategicthen Dawvid mistake saw when for the he gotfirst Sandytime that Peter- he kinwith turnedthe ground. out, in Butnot thealso most getting ticklish his business“premises” was levelled that of contrivedthe Clinkstyle to plan march. a notable It is addition known toto thethe readerfarm of how Clinkstyle, Dawvid howMrs. thatBirse scheme and her gained husband, him how high it disastrouslyfavour and fellrepute through, with and thosehow Dawvid who dwelt had, there. since thatAnd date, now fought here was shy an of Clinkstyle,imperative commandif he could to have face felt Peter assured Birse—Dawvid that facing would Peter havewould been be all—glad withDawvid a direct was proposalvery keenly not aliveto enlarge, to all butthe todifficulties curtail, his and farm. ad- clusionverse contingencies that the hand of of the Mr. case. Greenspex He came was at to once be tracedto the con-in it unwarrantedall, and the indignation intrusion on to what which he the felt thought to be his of ownthe lawyer’sdomain thegave reflection rise, afforded soon a temporarycame up diversionagain that to inhis anyfeelings. case, ButSir SIR SIMON INSTRUCTS DAWVID HADDEN. 239 heSimon’s returned instructions to his home, must hebe foundcarried his out. eldest And because,son employed when quitewhich harmlesslyhe used to sketching“ cast up ”a land-measuring flight of crows onoperations, the slate and on “on siclike,” “ the side he gaveof the the head.” lad a very vigorously laid on “ sclaffert” a keerious“Canna thing ye haud that creatursthe ban’s winna o’ ye?” keep said fae Dawvid.meddlin’ wi’“It’s fat articledisna liebelangin’ i’ their me gate. lockit Aw up think fanever aw awwud gae need owre ’a theget door.”every CHAPTER XLIIL DAWVID HADDEN CONSULTS THE HENWIFE. tp?^IR grossing SIMON cogitation FRISSAL’S with instructions Dawvid Hadden, were a subjector rather of theen- wasadverse so. reception“ But,” thought he was Dawvidlikely to with meet himself, in carrying “ it's them joost outfat needwe maun think expeck. to please There’s a’ body. naebody Upo’ thethat’s tae inhan’ a publicwe ’re wyenae gyaunaccoontable the laws gin o’we the dinna lan’, tak’an’ fleeinan order i’ the wi’ vera them face that’s o’ Parlia- owre- synement theitsel’, best lat thataleen is thecanna grytest dee nobilitymair nor i’ thethey kwintra; may. an’Sir neverSimon tyeuk may aprefar squarin’ the poleadvice in’s o’han’, an Aiberdeenaboot the layin’lawvyer, oot thato’’s feedlelan’, to upo’the advicethe estate, o’ them ta’en that aff wi’k-no’s ’s nown the contentschyne, buto’ everyhe ’ll inmaybe a gatefarran ken i’ the wye lang an’ rinfa’s fa’s nae.” cawpable o’ layin’ oot a place knewThus perfectly far of thatDawvid’s under cogitations;a broad and but enlightened though Dawvid view it impeachable,would be found and that his his principles sagacity andof action prudence unassailable, had been un-he toknew carry also out that Sir it Simon’s behoved orders. him to proceedAnd he couldwithout not loss get of rid time of morethe reflection than likely, that turn the outpetty to detailsbe a little of theannoying. thing would,In the it casewas nothingof Johnny in theGibb shape of Gushetneuk,of unpalatable it proposalswas true, toDawvid make, hadyet thehe couldthought not of avoid the explosionhaving a slightlythat might uncomfortable occur when feeling he took at anup additionthe subject to ofthe the farm old schoolhouse.of Gushetneuk However,could hardly the offerfail, asof JohnnyDawvid Gibb’sHadden temper, sought and to the persuade happy idea himself, occurred of tomollifying Dawvid wholeof smoothing he felt rather his way pleased by playing at the prospectthat card in first. this case.And onWith the DAWVID HADDEN CONSULTS THE HENWIFE. 24I hethe had Birses to communicateof Clinkstyle histhere task would was undoubtedlyentirely different. awaken What feel- hadings theoccurred reverse so of recently pleasant; in connectionand in the remembrancewith his plan of for what re- modellingif he did not the see farm clearly of Clinkstyle, how he was Dawvid to get wasthrough to be the excused busi- nessturning comfortably. the question While over andDawvid over wasagain perplexing in his mind, himself he felt by witha very Meg strong Raffan. tendency They to hadget hadconfidential their small on encounters;the subject againstbut Dawvid her friend, knew Mrs.that Birse,Meg meanwhile and he somehow was really felt incensedthat her sympathy“ Aweel, was Dawvid,” worth having. said Meg, cheerfully, when she had got baiththe ground-officer’s been weel aneuch “ gloss ta’en ” on in-owre the matter wi’ that in carline hand, o’“ wea wife Ve o’this Clinkstyle; time at ony but rate. ye haeNa, thesirs, chancebut she o’ will bein’ be inupsides a rampauge wi’ ’er fantheir she grun. hears Aw Sir wauger Simon’s onything projeck sheaboot ’ll cometakin’ doonaff a upo’ piece aul’ o’ dinnaPeter’s be heid mealy aboot mou’t, it; as Dawvid, gin he cudman, help fan it,ye peer tell gype.them. Noo,Aw declarenaarhan’ aw to bewud aside gi’e an’ my hear best foo brodmil she ’ll brako’ Mairch oot aboot chuckens it wi’ thatDawvid rauchle thoughttongue o’within hers.” himself that he could forego this covetedmentioned opportunity by Meg; foryet, a underslighter the “ consideration”inspiriting words than of thatthe weel,hen wife, I winna he felt flench his courage a hair’s sensiblybreid for rising, nedder as man he said,nor ’oman; “ Ou, aforethat’s noo ae thingi’ the seerwye aneuch.o’ duty, asI ye Ve ken stan’t brawly, mony Meg.” a roch hotter Mony’s“ Weel-a-wat the body that’sye never hed spak’their gulliea truer i’ ye abootword, yerDawvid. bits o’ fantransacks; I gaed owrebut gin to ClinkstyleI war you thisI sud time.” set up my bonnet a hack weel’s“ Ou, mine, weel, mony aw’m a dayseer ere she’s noo,” been said at Dawvid. your merciment as to sclaive“Nae ’erdoot through aboot theit,” kwintra said Meg. they wud“An ’a fowk not nae hed mair wuntit nor ladthe towye’t get ’imshe’s insnorl’t been gyaun wi’ ’er on dother. wi’ that An’ peer fat simple sud be minaister upo’ go noo,say fa but till. a brawBut newit’s order’t‘ viackle,’ fae ’s the she coachmakker’s,was ca’in’ ’t—we no—jist sanna 242 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. bide ye still till the spring day comes in again, gin ye dinna tosee fish a braivity cadgers at an’ Clinkstyle siclike ! thatEh, hardly but she beseems has muckle fowk’t’s need sib o’ something“An’ dinna to lay ye the min’ pride o’ o’the ’er fools?”the richt interjectedgate!” Dawvid. “ Fat like trag she’s sent here owre an’ owre again. Awat, she “was Ay, illbut deservin’ bide ye o’still, oor Ileenity hae the for hank that.” i’ my nain han’ for that“ maybe.”Hae ye gotten this sizzon’s hens yet ?” an’ “Feintaw was athat feather, ill aff no ere ; thethough laird the gaed time’s awa’ thatlang I owreganehed to fell ; layin’some haillbonny on yearocks’t the feck o’ awthe waswinter.” keepin’, an’ ’t wud ’a been “ I must see aboot that, though,” said Dawvid, in a lofty and“ half Weel, magisterial will ye jist tone gi’e of ’er voice. my remem’rances,” added Meg, tak’s“ an’ say’tsic lang though pains we feedin’ canna the be laird’sbut sair fools, obleeg’t I’m to raelly them fley’t that wudthat theybe unco may fainrin ’erto ootpit o’my black thooms dist across an’ potawto their craps—an’skins ? I backgin they till binna’er for freely a fortnicht at the pointo’ her o’ raffy perfection, keep wi’ I ’ll the sen’ grytest them pleesour.”“ Weel, Meg, it does raelly set ye to speak,” said Dawvid, blythely.It was after he had been thus instructed and fortified that outDawvid the Haddenorders of set Sir out Simonon his importantFrissal at mission Gushetneuk of carrying and Clinkstyle. CHAPTER XLIY, JOHNNY GIBB DISCUSSES THE SITUATION. *0 Johnny Gibb, the autumn of 1847 had been a season of erectionvaried of Mr. and MacCassock’s engrossing business. new manse. There So waslong first as the projectresolved had upon, remained there hada matter been merelyno lack to ofbe peopletalked toabout express and theirpractical ideas aspect and give of theirsettling advice, contracts but when for theit had building, assumed some the vague,of those and who did had not seemtalked in mosthaste fluentlyto commit became themselves remarkably to any ofspecific this; action.the erection Johnny of Gibb’sthe manse course was was not precisely his proposal, the reverse but beonce carried it had outbeen forthwith. resolved upon,“ We Johnny maun haedeclared the wa’sthat up,it must anr fanthe reefsimmer on immedantly, comes roon an’ again.” lat ’im getEverybody marriet, an’admitted win in till’tthat thisnaturally was itexpedient fell to Johnny and desirable, Gibb to push and theeverybody necessary felt opera- how endtions of on. pains And in getting Johnny materials pushed driven,them accordingly, and kept to thetaking hands no atof theGushetneuk, workmen. in viewThen of there Johnny were Gibb the ceasingprivate arrangementsto be “tacks- man.”to the Broch,The generalbuy half-a-dozen belief was acres that ofJohnny the unfeued would land,flit down and cultivatingsettle down hisin aown sort land. of permanent Johnny meditatedattitude as mucha small on laird, the pointquestion but ofsaid their little, future until arrangements, one day, addressing he ran overhis wifeone oron twothe pointsopinion, that abruptly had come finished up to withhim, and,the query,without “Fat indicating think anyye, ’oman?”“Hoot, man,” replied Mrs. Gibb, “fat need ye speer at noo,me? an’I’ve never toitit tribbl’t aboot wi’my you heid upo’ the this day place aboot naar fat foorty ye micht year lippenthink itye richt noo atto thedee tail the o’ mom; the day.” an’ aw sanna begin to mis- 244 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. “ Weel,” said Johnny, with an air of more than his ordinary gravity,queer thing “I’ve fan been ye begin thinkin”t to luik owre, back a’ owreup an’ a’ thedoon. time It’s bye- a gane. The Apos’Ie speaks o’ the life o’ man as a ‘ vawpour seerlythat appeareth there cudna for bea little,a mair and nait’ral than resem’lance.vainisheth awa’;’ Fan an’we coo’tbegood cam’ the wi’pilget your here providin’, thegither, the wi’ tae three side stirks, o’ the an’ place a bran’it was ta’enfaul’ies, up andwi’ thebreem tither busses was fecklyan’ heather a quaakin’ knaps bog, half growin’ doon little the thebut newsprots hooses an’ rashes. biggit, an’It luiksthe grunlike yesterdaya’ oon’er fanthe wepleuch, hed though that’s1 a gweed therty year syne. I min’ as bricht’s a was.”paintet pictur fat like ilka knablich an’ ilka sheugh an’ en’ rig upo’“ theAn’ placeye weel but’s may, been man, lawbourt for there’s wi’ yer hardly nain a ban’s cannas owre breid an’ owre“ That’sagain to fat mak’ aw wasit.” cornin’ till. Takin’ ’t as it is, there’s growin’been grun craps made for ootthe o’eese fat o’wasna man grunan’ beast—Ou ava; an’ ay,there aw itken is, o’we’ve man made to gang weel aneuchon year oot aifter upon’t; year but plewin, it’s nae an’ i’ del’in’,the naitur’ an’ earin,vera yird, an’ obaidientshearin’ the till’s bits care, o’ takin’howes shape,an’ knowes, an’ sen’in’ seein’ up the bonnythe ear,’ caller as the blade Scriptur* in its sizzon,says, onbeen an’ aifter a kin’that o’ the thirled ‘ fu’ cornto the i’ vera“ rigsWeel, themsel’s.” a bodie is wae tae think o’ lea’in’ ’t.” things“ Ay, ae ay;gate but we that’swud be nae wae a’. to pairtGin wi’fowk onything’t war tae luikwe hae at placei’ the wardle.fae youthheid But here’s to aul’ oorsel’sage, an’ noo’t’s wi’ the lawbourtoil’t awa’ o’ upo’oor nain this fatban’s Gushetneuk made it’s wasye may fan say—Gushetneukwe cam’ here nor mythe fit’sday’s a han’nae mairsaw. mairSir Seemon to the placeca’s ’imsel’ nor the laird man o”t; o’ butFrance. Sir Seemon’s Noo, you deen an’ naeme canan’ that—‘gae roon Here’s an’ roonthe fruitaboot o’ it,oor an’ lawbour—that’ll wi’ a’ honesty saybide o’ upo’this the face o’ the earth for the eese o’ ithers aifter we ’re deid an’ gane.’I’m weel Noo, seer this it wasis fatnever I canna the arreengement win at the boddom o’ Providence o’ ava. daysthat theupon’t man sud that be tillsat the the merciment grun an’ spen’so’ a man the that strength never laido’’s JOHNNY GIBB DISCUSSES THE SITUATION. 245 ora han’ gyang.” till’t, nor hardly wair’t a shillin’ upon’t, to bid ’im bide offer“ o’Hoot, the man,tack yersel’,ye ’re foryettin an’ that seerly’tit’s ta’en Sir to Seemonoor young gae fowk,” ye an said“ Mrs.Vera Gibb.true,” answered Johnny. “ Sir Seemon, peer man, ’swunt made o’ sillerlittle theo’’t, day ae asgate he wasnor fananither. the aul’ He’s factor jist gat as the sair first in tillhun’er ’im. poun’ But ’t it’s ever nae we oorsel’s scraipit northegither Sir Seemon’t in a quate aw’m wye to com- len’ thing.pleenin Fataboot for insudna particular. lawbourin It’s the rigsthe ingeneral an honest run wyeo’ thefor beheefan’ keep o’ the the grip, countra raither at norlairge lat gi’e the ahaill man poo’er a richt o’ totraffikein sit still wi’nae the only grun, never for laid gweed a han’ or till’t, ill, be but leeft maybe wi’ anever set o’ hardly men thatleet their“Is een that see’t.” the lairds ?” “ Ay,Eh, ay.”but ye ken they gat it fae their forebears.” like“An’ to ken fat ? abootA set it! o’ reivin’Fa gyau’t scoonrels to their that forebears, tyeuk it aw wi’ wud the ither,strong an’ han’, buy’t an’ an’syne sell’t preten’t wi’ lawvyers’ to han’ vreetin’t doon onfae a anebit sheep’still an- o’’t.skin. WeNa, ’re na; taul there’s that somethingthe ‘ earth clean is for vrang the useat the o’ boddomall: the kingcountra ’imsel’ sud istak’ served the thing by thei’ their field.’ nain The han’ Governmentan’ see richt deeno’ the ; lawbour’t,an’ the best andteetle grow to the corn grun an’ sud cattle be thefor man’sthe susteenance willin’ness too’ man.”In this high flight Mrs. Gibb did not attempt to follow Johnny.man, ye divShe tak’ merely unco smilednotions and i’ yer said, heid. “Weel, Hairry aw’m Muggart seer, wud“ beOu, naething weel, aw to daursay ye for a Hairry politician.” wudna differ wi’ me aboot owrethat. seerBut that that’s there’s nedder a richt here an’ nor a vrangthere. inFowk a’thing; canna an’ mak'lang mak’eesage’ll black never fite, saygar fat oonjustice they like. beOnly richt we naewus mairspeakin’ nor aboot it’ll oorthrift nain in sma’you an’affair—I me gyaun div not awa’ think buyin’ that therea twa wud three be mucklerigs o’ forgrun a fyouan’ siltin’ years. doon Fan wi’ ance a’thing fowk’s unco at ooraboot’s time to o’ fechtlife they upon’t sud 246 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. be willin’ to lat the theets slack a bit; an’ gin they’ve ta’en o’up contentmenttheir yokin’ strauchtupo’ the an’wark fair, that’s they deen,can luik min’in’ back a’ wi’the a time kin’ northat themsel’sithers sud hingin’ be layin’ i’ the their heid shooders o’ things to theas draucht,gin this raitherwardle wudsweir laist to think only o’as alang cheenge as they fae keepitthis place, fit wi’ an’ ’t. I ’llNoo, tell I’mye foo.” fell “ LoshtieNa, na. man,I see ye fat ’re ye’reseerly ettlin gyaun at. gyte—” I’m nae foryettin’t theI wunt place to stan’is set i’to their the youngroad a fowk,single ’s hair’s-breid, ye ca’ them; nor nedder to meddle wud sooperanniwat,wi’ them ae gate that’s nor anither. a doon-laid For rowle. ance theyBut ’re there waddit sudna we're be fowk.nae gryte The diffeekwalty hoose is a byousaboot sizegettin’ for hoose-roomlength; an’ yerfor neebourtwa aul’ ’oman,a spawcious ye ken, hoose ’s taul for ye aa dizzengenteel 0’ faimily times owre gin itthat hed it wuda back be thatkitchie Willie wi’ aM‘Aul lang an’chimley the lassie biggit. ’ll beIt so winna far up be b’ cairtsin oor as day be contrivanceneedin’ a castell an’ nae to muckle baud theirbiggin’ braw we mithcompany, get a snodan’ wi’ aneuch little oorsel’s.”beil’ by partitionin’ aff the wast en’ an’ makin’ a sin’ry door to claimed“ Weel, Mrs. fa Gibb,wud ’alost minet in admiration upo’ that butof her yersel’, husband’s noo,” ex-in- ventivedisputing genius. his will, She yet wasJohnny not wasin the evidently habit of gratified ever seriously to find that his project was not merely acceptable to Mrs. Gibb, but it,that “ liftitthe prospecta birn aff it o’opened her min’,” up, asand the would, good shewoman was phrasedsure, be welcomed“Weel, by we’ll all concerned.see,” said Johnny, “we maun jist a’ leern to an’ken oor that day’s the wark;wardle the can time dee slipswuntin’s. bye likeWe the a’ mistget oorcreepin’ day, withseelently thy upmight the ’ ishowe. the lesson‘ What we thy ocht hand aye findethto bear to in do, min’, do pointthough like we thisafen, o’ theafen lang foryet track it; o’an’ years fan westreetchin luik back into fae the a likesaft amornin’ dream, licht but ao’ pleasantoor days, dream an’ a’ tee,croon’t an’ wi’foreshaidowin’ blessin’s, it’s a betterBut, ye time ken, toan’ come auP treeto themdisna that’sseen tak’ faithfu’ reet again,to their nor trust. yet theybaud ’re the to getgrun ony weel mair fan gweed it’s o’liftit. me, theyAn’ ’llaw’m hae maistthinkin’ chance gin JOHNNY GIBB DISCUSSES THE SITUATION. 247 o’’tmay byca’ lattin’ the rigs ’s sticko’ Gushetneuk faur we are. his, I’mAn’ thoughmaistly Sirseer Seemongin the rigshim. themsel’sBut it mak’s cud speak na muckle they wudback ca’ or mefore. maister They raither ’ll be mine nor tosproutin’ the sicht blade o’ myor eenthe maybeyalla com as lang’ssheaf; I’mand able Sir toSeemon’s see the lairdshipI think canna Johnny gi’e Gibb’im main” had about finished his moralising, but he had scarcely ceased speaking when “ the lassie,” Mary GibbHowie, had opened been theseated room all door,the while, in which and, underJohnny the and impres- Mrs. sionasked apparently “ Was ye speakin’,that she unclehad ?”interrupted their conference, asked“ Ou Johnny. ay, lassie, but never heed. Fat was ye needin’?” her “aunt. Naething,” “ It wassaid onlyMary, Dawvid with a comicalHadden side that’s glance wuntin toward to speak“ Faur to ye.” is he?” asked Johnny, with a hard, abrupt sort of voice.snap that contrasted very oddly with his previous tone of coont;“ Oh, he’s he’s in at a hurry—hethe door, but has he ‘ more canna calls come to mak’.” in on nae ac- awayJohnny toward Gibb the doorrose towith speak a kind with ofDawvid half grunt,Hadden. and went CHAPTEE XL Y. DAWVID HADDEN MAKES TWO BUSINESS CALLS. “^HERE’SHadden, ain finea tone nicht, of much Maister affability, Gibb,” on saidJohnny Dawvid Gibb mentioned.showing himself “No—aw at the door canna of Gushetneukbide to come at in.the timeI Ve already forder onto gae,a maitter ye see. o’ buzness.”Aw was just wuntin a fyou minutes’ discoorse tentiously.“ Weel, ye’ll“ But jist please sit asyersel’.” chaep’s stan’,” said Johnny, sen- searching“ A—y,” his exclaimed breast pocket Dawvid, deep down.with a “prolonged That’s verakeerious. sound, and Aw thocht aw hed a’ my material here. Hooever, ye can maybeMaister gie”sGibb, penwe ’ll an’ sit inkas chaep’s gin we stan’.” requar’t—an’ as ye say, graciouslyWith this saluting Dawvid Mrs. went Gibb, inside and withoutmaking moresome ado.further After de- monstrationsDawvid said— in the way of professing to produce papers, oder“ Well,things I arreeng’tjoost cam’ aifter owre Sirbye Simonas seen’s leeft, aw to cud forquant get some ye thatClinkstyle, we hed clippin’ resolv’t aff to that straucht lang heugh the mairchan’ the bitatween burnside you faean’ him,I hae’t an’ here pitten’t till antee ell—twa to Gushetneuk. awcre an’ There’s aboot half jist—lat a reed—It’s me see, primeDawvid intoon had grun, not ye been ken.” so definite about the measurement thatwith pointSir Simon; to a merebut it tenant.would notHe do would to indicate have weaknessgone on onto Gushetneukdescant on the from advantages the proposed that would addition, accrue but to atthe this farmer stage, of Johnny Gibb, who had been a little taciturn hitherto, broke in—“ An’ ye ’re nae tirt yet meddlin’ wi’ fat ye ca’ the layin’ shortoot o’ syne,fowk’s as grun wud ?’a sairtI thocht maist ye fowkhed gottenat that aboottrade. asHooever, muckle, DAWVID HADDEN MAKES TWO BUSINESS CALLS. 249 a’it maksnathat I hae father to say ye is, be that leein’ I’m or nae tell tacksmanin’ the trowth langer this nor time; the term,ye mith an’ be hae a hantlenaething better adee employ’t wi’ ’t. norAn’ makin’I ’se only dispeace tell ye amo’that neebourDawvid fowk—feint evidently ane had ’ll thanknot expected ye for cheengin this style the of mairch.” retort. He “was It’s put Sir out Simon’s accordingly, enstructions and only to me managed at ony torate.” blurt out— o’ ‘ “Sir Maybe,” Seemon’s said enstructions Johnny, curtly. ’ lang “ ere We’ve noo, heardfan Sir fowk Seemon speak thatbeheev’t ackit to thebe haud’npairt o’on mere the ill seecophants gate that he tillwas ’im, gyaun or tyeukb’ them a pride“ Weel, in rinnin Maister Sawtan’s Gibb,” erran’s said Dawvid, onbidden.” with a forced attempt keepat hilarity, up um’rage “ we sanna aifter cast things oot aboot is ance aul’ scorespast, ye; fowk ken. sudna Sir Simon’s“ It’s mairnae Siro’ a Seemon’t gentleman—” we ’re speaking aboot eenoo,” in- terjected“ Weel, Johnny, Gushets, abruptly. I’m only Sir Simon’s—servan’,” pursued Dawvid,“ I’m inweel a nonplussedawaar o’ that; sort an’of way.gin ye hed been aye content respeckitto dee an manhonest nor servan’s ye are thispairt day.” ye wud ’a been a muckle mair JohnnyWhether Gibb it to was invite in accordanceDawvid Hadden with properinto his etiquettehouse, and in say;then “but heckle of this ” him I am after certain this fashion,that the Iproceeding shall not pretendwas in en-to cedure,tire accordance and could with not the be whole construed tenor intoof Johnny’s anything general of the pro-na- beture admitted of intentional only onrudeness. the principle That thatit was it rudenessis rude inat aall man could to lapseutter hison honestDawvid opinion Hadden’s in plain part words.was somewhatAnyhow, marked.the col- onceFairly in dismounted the literal truth. from his high horse, he found refuge for Sir “Simon’s I’m nae doon-laid here o’ wull,orders. I ’seHe asseer wuntit ye to ; butken toimmedantly cairry oot thefat wasWard auchtin ” you for fat ye laid oot upo’ that—place at shame“Fat to place?mak’ mention The skweel?o’’t, man. LittleHaud’n won’er you noran’ theye likethink o’ forye awa’,generations it mith to’a beencome. a blessin’Tell Sir to Seemon the pairt that at itthis stan’s day, there an’ 250 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. the reproach o’’s estate, an’ ’ll rise up in jeedgment yet against them’t“ I musthas the go, swickony wye,” o’ makin’ said Dawvid,’t a desolation.” rising to his feet, and takinggi’ein’s out the his figure memorandum o’ fat ye laid book. oot on’t?”“Will ye obleege b’jist tone.“I “nedder Fan ye can carriet nor things,wull,” ’sreplied ye did, Johnny, the black in gate,a decisive that’s timea sma’ aneuch affair, to an’ speak the towo’ that may fan gae anither wi’ the tenan’ bucket. comes It’lltill’t.” be but “Sir There Simon ’ll be wunts no oder to vrang tenan’ no there—it man o’’s ’ll money—yebe knockit doonbetter ; mention“ I ’ll adee soom.” naething o’ the kin’. Gin ye gi’e Sir Seemon a true account o’ fat I Ve said to ye this minit, I ’se be content.” timeWhen to glance Dawvid calmly Hadden at the had situation, left Gushetneuk, the temper and of mindhad got in whichan uncomfortable he found himself impression was the that reverse the representativeof amiable. He of hadlaw inand the authority interview had that after had all just come ended, off and not thenexactly what “ firstwas besthe to ” reportand sent to himSir Simon?away without That any Johnny proper Gibb answer had tosnubbed the inquiry him, degreethat had ; andbrought I daresay him there? there wasDawvid a certain felt irritatedadvantage in ina highthis, theafter feeling all, for of as irritation he toddled merged across into the a sortfields of toward savage Clinkstyle, resolution toden. march This right thought on, and carried fearlessly Dawvid beard on the rather Birses briskly in their for own a mentallyspace; yet when I think he suddenly he was stumbledon the whole upon somewhatPeter Birse, relieved senior, ofstalking nearly along a couple the end of righundred of one ofyards his fields,from theat the “steadin’.” distance announcingDawvid strode Sir firmly Simon’s up toproposal, Peter, with and the securing intention Clinkstyle’s of at once assent“ There’s to it. a mochie nicht, Clinkies,” said Dawvid, gravely. certain“A kindmochie of tone.nicht, Dawvid,” answered Peter, in an un- till, “than,” I’ve gotten continued a bit dockimentDawvid, thrusting here to gethis yerhand percurrence into his pocket.“ I howp it’s nae neen o’ that duty papers—about rinnin Birse,horse, uneasily.nor coach kin’ o’ viackles, nor naething?” asked Peter DAWVID HADDEN MAKES TWO BUSINESS CALLS. 251 “ No, no,” said Dawvid. “ I dinna enterfere wi’ fat’s nae buznessresolv’t too’ mine.—I’verectify the boondary to do only atween wi’ the you lan’. an’ Gushetneuk.Sir Simon’s cleanLuik heredoon (andfae that he bitpointed elbuck down at the the back brae), o’ your takin’ infeedle, a swype to the “burn Nae side, the ootwuthan’ cuttin’ nyeuk aff twa o’ awcrefat we oddsca’ the o’ thePardes lang park—point.” we hinna grun like it upo’ the place?” “ That’sAn’ fat wudthe spot,” he be said gi’ein’s Dawvid, b’ wye decisively. o’ excamb like ? ” there“Nothing, ’ll be an allooancenothing,” ta’en answered aff o’ theDawvid. rent fan we“An get coorseit cal- culat.”“ Man, that’s sair,” exclaimed Peter Birse, in a pitiful voice.“ Weel, it’s not my arreengement, ye k-no,” said Dawvid yeHadden, ’ll better “ butjist saythat’s that fat ye I’ve’re agreeable to get your at ance,consent an’ till.nae de-So teen“ meNa—na nae langer.”; aw cudna dee’t upon nae accoont,” and Peter beganaboot to movethe toon away at as ony he spoke.rate, Dawvid, “ Ye wud man, need afore to comewe cud in speak“ Oh, aboot I’ve onything nothing o’ado the gaen kin’.” to yer toon,” said Dawvid, as heI hae slowly to sattle followed wi’ ashis fairmer retreating o’ the interlocutor. place, that’s “ It’sthe shortyou that an’ theDawvid, lang o”t.—Fatin a louder am and I tomore say imperious to Sir Simon, tone. than?” added Peter,“ She’s moving jist on at ratherhan’; fasterit winna than hin’er before. ye nae time,” replied onlyDawvid if Mrs. HaddenBirse had knew to be perfectlyfaced—why well he what was itjust all themeant; man fowkto do cudnait. “ It’sca’ thea keerious niz o’ their thing,” face said their Dawvid, nain withoot “ that speerin some leave.”To this sarcasm Peter Birse made no reply. bandMrs. and Birse Dawvid had happilyHadden observed from the the parlour approach window, of her and hus- it say,was but“ Gae the to work the ofdoor a moment there, an’ to garcall yerher maisterservant tak’maid that— and person—toIt was inthe the kitchie! “ kitchie,” ” then, that the present interview thebetween lady Dawvidwas sent Hadden for she andsailed Mrs. majestically Birse took “place. ben ” toWhen that 252 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. ingapartment, toss of thetook head, her utteredstand near the themonosyllable door, and with“ Weel a ?”becom- his- Dawvidimpulse Haddento mention had the succeeded state of thethis weather; time in restrainingand in so doing,“ Noo, left himselfye better barren jist say of aawa’, topic Dawvid, for the an’moment. tell her fat ye wasWith speakin’ a sort aboot,” of bravado remarked air, Peter Dawvid Birse. then repeated Sir Simon’s“ Onything proposed mair, “ rectification noo ?” asked of Mrs.the frontier Birse, with ” of Clinkstyle.a look that wouldnot been like prettyenough effectively have “withered” performed Dawvid, on his had hard, that processskinny yerperson thiggin previously. ! ” “ Ye ’re seerly owre modest the nicht f time,”“ Gin answered there’s onythingDawvid, mairsharply. ye ’ll “licklyhear Lat the thingo’’t in that ’ts nain we cam’“ Indeedhere aboot ! I besud sattl’t think i’ Ithe ken first my place.” place better nor be fore- spoken“ I dinna by ony k-no oon’er—servan’—at fa ye refar till,” said ony Dawvid; rate.” “ but gin ye gaericht muckle gate ; that’sforder a’.”a-lenth ye ’ll maybe gar me lowse o’ ye the Peter“ Noo—noo, Birse. dinna come to heich words, sirs,” interposed question“ I’m toonly tak’ wuntin back toa plain,my maister,” ceevil answercontinued till Dawvid,a vera legible “ an’ that“ IMy ’ll hae.”compliments to yer maister, than,” said Mrs. Birse, foo“ an’ far tell the him law that o’ thethere’s lan’ ’llpeople cairry that him k-no’s or the their like richts,o’ ’im ; an’or Wethan ’re the nae best at that lawvyers yet that in we Aiberdeen ’re needin’ ’llto bebe sairtrampit mista’en. upon aivenHaving b’ them uttered that ca’sthis themsel’sspeech, Mrs. nobility.” Birse turned and sailed before.away to theDawvid, parlour who again had in just even been a more getting stately up steam,style thanand wouldwho felt speedily that, with get theinto hints good afforded trim for him sustaining by Meg a Raffan,continued he withonset onlywith PeterMrs. Birse, wassenior, thus in suddenlya powerless, left half-frightenedhigh and dry, reply,state, beforeof course, him. fromHe Peter,could getwho no was approach able only to ina definitea faint seemedway to deploreso imminent. and deprecate And a Dawvidrupture withdeparted the laird, with which the DAWVID HADDEN MAKES TWO BUSINESS CALLS. 253 haeterrible to stan’threat the to consequences,”Peter Birse, senior, but otherwise“ Weel, weel, little ye enough ’ll jist tosatisfied the terms with in the which results he wasof his to reportvisit, and to Sirslightly Simon. at a loss as botheredIt was his in brainsvain that to deviseDawvid a wayHadden, of avoiding on his Megway Raffanhome, tillor atthe least events until of hishe afternoon’shad fully collected journey shouldhis thoughts be stale on news, the housesubject. through What the mattered old fir-trees, it that so he as stole to steerquietly clear up ofto thehis underLodge hiswhere own Meg roof dwelt.when Meg,He hadwith barely leisurely been step, five entered,minutes conscioustale. And of Dawvid, her right when on this fairly occasion put to to it, get gave the anews narrative, in full herselfthe distinguishing would have expressedcharacteristic it, was of thewhich, disposition as Meg indicated Raffan to ““ mak’ H—m, a’ faceweel, that Gushets wud be was face.” fell nabal at the ootset—mair aiftersae nor I hedye wud latt’n ’a luiket’im get for, oot’s aw daursay.breath a bittie,But i’ thehe cam’lang rin,tee yawinwon’erfu’; ’im foran’ the fan reef I o’cam’ the toskweel, the heprencipal ackit like thing—fat a gentleman. was ‘Nothing Naething, cud Dawvid,’ be mair saysrizzonable he, ‘naething in a menner ; mak’ nor yer that.—Na, best o”t.’ ’sanswer. ye say, Ou,’t’s weel,nae langBirse tillwas Gushets jist like gi’e ’imsel’. ye edderI hed alms hardly or loan,apen’t till my he mou’ was tillhingin”s ’im, fan lugs we likeforgedder’t ony supplicant. at the fitTo o’ the thehoose kitchie’t he wud 1be, saw’er—I an’ to the wasna hoose wuntinhe gaed. naar No, their no, itparlour, was i’ naeI’se Dawvidasseer ye. Hadden. Weel, ginHooever, she wasna ’t’s Sir ensolent, Simon’t my she’ll name’s hae toI didbe answerable naething totill the for that.purpose, But ginthat’s I didna a’. gripAw ’erb’lieve in aboot, she sochtnaMeg’s lang advice o’ my to company, Dawvid atwas ony to rate.”report very adversely of loth,the Birses merely to adding Sir Simon the remark Frissal, that and of Dawvidcourse one was could nothing not give“ vrutten so full dockiment.” and effective a narrative as might be wished in a CHAPTEE XLYI. HAIRRY MUGGART GOES TO “THE TOON.” ^jJlW^HENGibb “the still springoccupied day” in attendingcame round, to the it foundcompletion Johnny of begunthe fabric to carryof Mr. out MacCassock’s his idea of preparing new manse; a separate and then habitation he had forthat himself this operation at Gushetneuk. would be Itin had good been time, suggested as he need to Johnny not be Whitsunday.disturbed in hisJohnny’s occupancy reply of was the that whole “the house thing as that’s tenant deen till the day winna be adee the morn, an’ I may be deid an’ buriet wardgin Whitsunday.” the arrangements In short, connected Johnny with had his resolved quitting to pushthe posi- for- tionHairry of tenant. Muggart was architect-in-chief in the adjustment ofseason Johnny the Gibb’sdry details residence. of labour It withwas abundanceHairry’s practice of whole- to Johnnysome discourse, and Mrs. and Gibb he accordingly on the various expatiated conveniences amply to boththat thoughtsmight be revertedcombined to in his their own new pitiful dwelling. prospect And of then being Hairry’s out of his “house Man, and gin croftI could at Whitsunday.get but the four wa’s an’ a bit reef ony wye“An’ i’ the fat neibourheid!” sud hin’er ye?” said asked Hairry. Johnny Gibb. “There’s the aul’ skweel roon at the Ward’s stan’t teem till a gweed hoose“Ou, ’ll bebut connach’t.” they wudna gi’e’t to nae ane, Gushets. It’s gyaun“Fa to taul be dungye that, doon.” Hairry?” was“ jist Weel, Dawvid it’s nae Hadden ca’d aboot ’imsel’.” story,” answered Hairry. “ It Johnny.“An’ foo“ Win’y, muckle leein’bodie.” dee ye believe o’ fat he says?” said seer“ I’mWeel, neen I hae obleeg’t kent Dawvidtill him.” slide a bittie files. An’ aw’m HAIRRY MUGGART GOES TO “THE TOON.” 255 word“ Slide,o’ mou’, Hairry, an’ haudin man! ’imsel’It’s i’oot the to vera be fatnatur he’s o’ nae—dinna’im to lee b’ ye thinkThe resultthe tane of jist Johnny as ill’s Gibb’s the tither advice ?” was that Hairry Greenspex,Muggart took the coach factor. next And morning Hairry forreturned Aberdeen in great to see spirits, Mr. inasmuchDawvid Hadden, as the factor, had said without if Johnny once Gibb,mentioning the only the man name who of hadthe arrangement,any claim on Hairrythe fabric was of at the full old liberty schoolhouse, to occupy agreed it from to inWhitsunday opportunely onward; with a proposalindeed his of acceptanceMr. Greenspex’s of it wouldown, andfall fortablewould relieve thought both of turningthe factor an andold tenantSir Simon off thefrom estate. the uncom- Then asHairry Johnny had Gibb a perfect was notbudget a patient of general listener, news except to unfold; on certain but favourablesubjects, he opportunity did not get occurred his “crap” when fullyJohnny cleared, was absent.until a whoWith had Mrs. set Gibb himself and down Mary on Howiethe deece for for his a rest,auditors, proceeded— Hairry, toon,“ Ay,the butvera I firstwauger kent ye face winna ? Na,guess, it wasnaMary, fathe I minaister,met i’ the thoughBirse, o’ I Clinkstyle.gat a went o’As him I cam’ tee. upWeel the Green,it was fajist sud aul’ be Peterstan- butnin Peter.there gowpin‘ Loshtie an’ me,luikin Hairry, at the man,’ antic says mannie he, ‘ o’fan the cam’ Wall, ye weel,in ?’ ‘Peter Jist fan begood the coach to tell’s lichtit,’ that says they I—‘ hed Fan been cam’ in ye sin’ ?’ theOu awa’streen. eenoo ‘ Is luikin the goodwife aboot somewi’ ye furniture?’ says I. an’‘ Outhings.’ ay, an’ Ithey didna ’re bauchlike to kin’catecheese o’ the subjeck. ’im forder, Hooever, ’cause himaw saw’tan’ me he staps was abootsome o’i’ thea bottle market o’ ale, a filie, an’ hean’ grewsyne aI tyeukgweed ’im hantle in an’ crackier. gya ’im the‘ We half ’re ‘in Oor aboot aul’ giga new was viacklesome sair kin’ awa’ o’ awi’ thing, ’t, an’ Hairry,’noo fan thesays creaturs Peter. betteris growin’ to get up it an’ niffer’t ae thing for a orkin’ anither, o’ box’t-in s/te concern—yethocht it wud mith be an’jist’scome up weto thecam’ coachmakker’s up to Union an’Street see’t.’ fa sudSo we awa’ meet we fairgoes, i’ wi’the chafts,’er, haudin but Mrs.a curryborum’s Birse paraudin gin awa’, they an’ hed an beenaul’ doowagersisters— awatI sees she the was loon stickin’ Benjie toBirse—dress’t the doowager; like an’a laird—hingin’ a wee bittie awa’in to 256 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. o’Maister skairt MacCassock,glent, an’ daccl’t, airm-in-airm an’ says he,wi’1 ’im. Na, that’sPeter hergya an’oor a kin’ wi’Benjie, that tee—theyI saw brawly hinna that notic’t’s.’ Madame was‘ Nae takin’ lickly,’ a vizzy says o’ I,Peter but thean’ meminaister wi’ the sawna’s; tail o’ ’er thee’e loona’ the Birse’t time—Ou was atweesh na, aw daursayhim an’ on-winkit’shuz strade past’s e’e. faderHooever, an’ meaw likegot aoot bubblyjock o’ Peter that wi’ ’sthis tail doo- up, i’wager the toonsud be ; an’some ‘ her aunt, an’ orher,’ siclike, ’s Peter o’ the said, minaister’s’t wus wylin furni-bides makker’sture to Maister an’ sees MacCassock. the new ‘viackle.’—Fat Awa’ up we gaeslike isto 't the ? coach-Weel, o’Mary, muckle it wud box-barrow bleck an i’unctioneer the boddom to tell pairt, you setthat. on It’supo’ a fourkin’ min’swheels, me, an’ for syne a’ theit hasearth, a closin’-inupon a mutch heid-piece that myconcern wife thathed wi’ance a wi’dickey a byous for themuckle driver. squar’ Jist kell—awat bide ye noo, it’s afan close there’s carriage, nae itherOh, it’s body nae to new, ca’, aul’an’ thePeter man ’imseP hed ’llta’en be backset up the o’ aul’the dickey.gig for ‘Ay,pairt paymen’.but ye see * Itfat cost it is a geyto be penny, braw I i’can yer tell aul’ ye,’ age,’ says says Peter. I. wusPeter wearin’ an’ me up toddl’t the wye aboot o’ the a lang stabler’s, time; i’an’, the atBack len’th, Wynd, fan weup she,comes ‘fa Mrs. wud Birse ’a expeckit wi’ a byous to see fraise—‘ you in Keep Aiberdeen.’ me, Hairry,’ ‘Weel, says a’thegither,’we ’re nae vera says easyI. ‘I’mseen jistfiles, worn though aff o’ we my ’re feet nae gyaun jist a o’mote the hardneen, stanes,’an’ I’ve says been she. seekin’ ‘Ye ’im see this we tintfile, himan’ wasthere growin’ i’ the fora- rael weeargh hear aboot o’ happenin’ ’im, Hairry; wi’ the for like there’s o’ ’im’t’s sae mony kent mishanters’tto be fae the sillerkwintra, aff wi’o’ them.’ill company An’ an’wi’ thisthat, shego win’ cheenges them owre,her key.—Ou, an’ takin’ seeay, thewe wusloon affBenjie o’ the was prencipal wi”er, an’street as frank’swi’ the brawfrank, fowk noo. on’t,Ye an’san’ naebody cairt seein’ but ’s. a fyou‘ Weel, ostlers Maister an’ cabmen,Muggart,’ an’ says a man she, wi’‘ it’s a triesnot anto deeeasy their thing duty to an’hae getthe them upfeshin sattl’t o’ i’a thefaimily wordle. fan fowkOh, it’slay—(the nae you, loon Benjamin, hed scowl’t your at her,buzness ye ken)—but requares athough muckle I say’toot- formysel’, goold. Hairry, It’s his’Liza, nain peer maister thing, saysthat heI was wudna mintin pairt at; wi’she ’im ’ll HAIRRY MUGGART GOES TO “THE TOON." 257 hae a solemn chairge on’er held, nae doot. But ye winna differlat her wi’ come me, Hairry,in eenoo. fan An’aw say’tfan Maister it wudna MacCassbck ’a luikit weel loot to lichtI cudna that deehe was less thinkin’ nor offer o’ buyin’to come the wi’furniture ’im.’ toThis the manse,was as muckle’ssee; so I lattintak’s oot’er theup, pooderan’ says aboot I, ‘ Aw’mthe mairriage vera glaid’t to me, yerye itdother’s ’ll jist be gettin’ ooncommon sic a bargain; weel confeerinwe wus luikin to the at newthe new connection.’ viaclde; —Foonain waddin cud aw ’ll say be that?here inGae a crack, awa’ wi’an’ ye,aw’m Mary, seer ’oman; ye wudna yer it’slike beento hae a neenmuckle o’ thethocht bucklin’s to me,’ mislippen’t. says she. ‘ ‘For Weel, ye Hairry,see it’s aoon’er Gweed’s Providence; trowth that an’ we fan ’re fowk’snae the call’t rowlers till o’occupee oor nain a ackspar- maunteeclar tak’spear the (’s responsibility we’ve been afen alang taul wi’ oot’t; o’aiven the poolpit)though they thissud becomewordle.’ a mark‘ Vera for true, the Mrs.env/ous Birse,’ speeches says I,o’ ‘the but peoplethat’s o’a cannaspawcious turn machineoot ane wi’ ; an’a mair I ’ll jinniprousbe boun’ heid-piece.’Sir Seemon So’imsel’ she gyait beheeves a bit keckle ither fowko’ a lauch, to ken an’ fat says belangs she, them‘Ah, weel,as weel’s Hairry, Sir awa’Seemon.’ doon, naeBy thisto loss it wasmy seat.vera naarPeter coach an’ her time, tee wudso I’a staps fain madena them oot mucklefat I was wiser. deein’ Ou,i’ the weel, toon; aw butdinna aw dootb’lieve nor I theymade- ’ll beye still,come gin hame ye dinnai’ the newsee aviackle turn-oot by worththis time. the pains,An’ jist I sanna bide bid Itye wasb’lieve not my long word till again.” Hairry Muggart had permitted his journeyfeatures. to WhatAberdeen had topreviously become beenpublicly little known more inthan its vaguemain conjectureMiss Birse, concerning seemed then the to marriagehave grown of Mr.into aMacCassock matter of cer- to tainty,cised accordingly. and the community of Pyketillim speculated and criti- CHAPTER XL VII. JOHNNY GIBB MAKES HIS WILL. §HEbarely new beendomiciliary completed arrangements when Johnny at Gibb’sGushetneuk health hadbe- gansingle to day’s give sickness,way. For but many now heyears, had, Johnny to use hishad own not expres- had a Whatsion, “the grown precise as dwebblenature of an’his fushionlesscomplaint wasas anobody wallant knew: leaf.” unlessthat Johnny the doctor was did,not thrivingwhich was physically, doubtful, andbut certainhe felt itit washis marriageduty to put of his wife’shouse niece,fully inMary order. Howie, He tohastened enable himon the to hequit then the set active about management the settlement of theof his farm worldly of Gushetneuk affairs generally. ; and tes’ment“ Ou, thatwe winnawe’re needin’dee a single made,” day said seener Johnny, o’ haein’ in discussing ony bit smiththe point owre with bye—an’ Mrs. SandyGibb. Peterkin.“Ye’ll getSandy’s the souter gweed an’ at the pen;snifterin an’ that they’ll gate, be aw’m the naeexecutors—Hoot, awa’ yet. But ’oman,there’s nanedinna o’’s be hascomfort a siccar to you tack an’ o’me life, tee, ye to kenhae ;fowk an’ aw’mso weel seer wordy it’s o’a grytebein’ lippen’t“ An’ till the in merchan’,”oor sma’ affairs.” suggested Mrs. Gibb, who found wishedsome difficulty. her, “wudnin in maintaining he be ta’en herin?” composure, as Johnny Johnny.“Ye’re “There’s foryettin him the an’ trifile Willie that’s M'Aul lyin’ baith wi’ weel ’im,” aneuch said fit to be trustit. But it’s aye best to keep clear accoonts, aiyen wi’o’ oor yer time’s nearest lyin’ freens. oot wi’Noo, the merchan’ye ken, the an’ tae Willie.” half o’ the savin’s “ ButNever, ye wudnanever. seekFat tobetter tak’ iteese up!” cud ye mak’o”t But nedderowre fat’s the i’tane their nor nain the han’.” tither o’ them wud wunt to be trustee “The“ An’ yeminaister!” wud need exclaimedthe minaister Johnny tee.” Gibb. “Aw won’er JOHNNY GIBB MAKES HIS WILL. 259 tothat hear we ye,wus ’oman. a’ brocht Only up fatwi’. needThe aw minaister say that to? mak’It’s the yer thing tes’- betterment an’ dee. ‘ say An’ a prayer/syne tak’ fan an it oonwillin’ conies to fareweelthe push o’ an’ the ye wardle. canna tes’mentin’That min’s thisme an’upo’ tes’mentin’ aul’ Sprottie, that, fan‘ an’ he syne was there’s makin’ the ’s will;twal toowsen think pleuch aboot ;pairtin ’ but aye wi’ he’t. patAn’ aff at sayin’the lang fa wudlen’th, get fan it—sweir a’thing elsethere’s was thewill’t ploo awa’, now?’ an’ an’the saysminaister Sprottie, speer’t ‘Ou, again, weel, Doctor,‘ Weel, aw think aw ’ll keep the pleuchie to mysel’ aifter a’.’ ” apparent“ Hoot levity man,” in saidthe circumstances.Mrs. Gibb, half shocked at Johnny’s i’ their“ Weel, heid. weel, There’s a body nae canna ill o’help speakin’ a bit idleo’ the thocht aul’ man—•rinnin there’speer ignorant mony anestock. jist He’sas oonwillin awa’ mony to tynea day the sin’ grip’s syne ;him, but tillnae thisto coontenance day. Hooever, settin’ that’s the minaister nedder here on tonor ony there, sic thing.we ’re vainienceHe’s oor spiritooalfor the sattlement guide, an’ o’ ochtna oor war’dly to be madeaffairs. a mereFat con-cud wastin’’sthat be but time, tryin’ that to sudentangle be gi’en him to wi’ the the office things o’ theo’ this ministry. life— theI won’er buzness fat o’the a Apos’lescreevener, Paul or wud lawvyer, hae said vreetin to be oot socht papers to dee fa wastaul tothe get man this that an’ spak’fa was o’ to sic get a thething tither that thing his ministry? Wudnin o’ the he gospelthere’s deman’ittwa three ither points things o’ difference o’ ’im ? Ah,atween weel, Paul weel, an’ I daursaya time- believeservin’ moderatethat the likelike Maistero’ oor pairis’ Sleekaboot—an’ minaister wud a body be cudthe weelbest han’tes’mentit.” o’ the twa to seek in aboot fan a puckle gear hed to be will.Johnny Sandy Gibb Peterkin, then whohad modestlyhis own way rated in his the legal making knowledge of his- wasand diffidentclerkly capabilities of undertaking a good the dutydeal askedlower of than him; Johnny but Johnny did, wouldtaking havecare noto make“na-say.” Mrs. Gibb’sSo the willcomfort was securemade out,in theJohnny first place.own idea He of then justice did ;by and every in relativeevery casehe had Johnny according took to into his accountance as hethe had use given that hadthem. been “ It’smade nae of eese such to previous gi’e siller assist- till a illman bargains,” gin it be onlysaid toJohnny. gar ’im grow“ We lazier; sud tryor gaeto keep awa’ itan’ rinnin mak’ 26o JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. faurtrious it fowk’ll be thepaymen’ means for o’ honest,makin’ eesefu’a liveliheid wark, ; ayean’ gi’ekeepin’ indus- in principlesmin’ the claimsJohnny o’ Gibb charity based an’ thethe ultimate gospel.” settlement And on ofthese his forworldly a future affairs, special the Freedonation; Church as of well Pyketillim as the general being setfunds down of the Free Church. a sombreThe making shade ofover Johnny the smallGibb’s community will was an amongstevent that whom cast Johnny’sJohnny moved state of ; andhealth all worsened the more considerably,that after it had so thatbeen he done, was unable to make his appearance at church, or indeed leave his home“ Eh, at Gushetneukbut he ’ll be to ago sair-miss’t anywhere. man, Maister Peterkin,” saidbeen Megfortunate Raffan, enough addressing to catch our inold Mr. friend, Will’s whom shop she alone. had nae“ Fat doot he’s a gweeddeen for man your like Free him winnaKirk ae foryet gate ye or i’ anither the tes’ment.” ! An’ replied“ He’s Sandy. been a“ There’svera upricht, fyou likehonest ’im, Iman, can tellan’ ye,an Mistresseesefu’,” Raffan.”“ Fowk will speak, ye ken,” pursued Meg, “an’ there was that bodie Dawvid Hadden gabbin awa’, as though he sud kenkin’ o’that fowk, Gushets’s an’ muckier lost soomssae muckle to them wi’ that len’in it wudnatriffles beto easypeer tobarer uplift nor it fowkfae again, wud think—Butthat the goodwife though ’llI be leeftsayin’ a thathantle to wordyou, Maisterthat mith Peterkin, pass atween’s aw wudna ootside for theo’ this wardle chop turndoor;—Eh, owre a forbidkin’ gyaun it! but aboot I was fowk’t jist richtaw respeckit ill pay’t saeto hearweel.” onything o’ the said“ OuSandy, na, itwith wudna the deeutmost to speak simplicity. aboot ither“We’ve fowk’s naething affairs,” adee“ Na,wi’ that,but awye ken,wudna ava.” mention’t it till a leevin creatur but yersel’,“ I’m that muckle Gushets obleeg’t; hed aye but sic I wasa reliance ill wordy till.” o’ bein’ lippen’t Johntill b’ Gibb.”sic a man—It ’ll be a sair loss to the pairt fan it losses baffled“ Weel, in herweel, purpose that’s ofthe drawing stories that’sinfonnation gyaun,” from said Sandy Meg, goodwife’sPeterkin. stan’inBut aw’m oot saericht weel; glaid for to I hearwas byousye say anxious that the to wearin’hear aboot awa’.” ’er, aifter aw kent that Gushets was thocht to be CHAPTEE XLVIII. THE CLIMAX OF GENTILITY. the JanuaryPeter Birse, market, senior, in went1848, down it being to the a Broch sort atof feeing-market,vacancy in his andstaff Peter of servants, being incaused want byof aa recentman toquarrel fill a and“ dismissal, Noo, ye’ll he see had an’ received get a smairt, this instruction— genteel lad ; an’ tell ’im fawmilythat he ’ll convaiyance be expeckit, to gin the the kirk spring every day Sabbath; war in, toan’ drive to be a glivesprovidit an’ wi’ a lichta silk neckcloth hat o”s nain,fae’s employers.”an’ claith breeks ; he ’ll get wishedIn short,to arrange, Mrs. byBirse, anticipation, acting with for theher properusual drivingforesight, of athe sort new of vehicle. subdued livery.What she aimed at was a servant set out in behest,Peter but Birse received diligently from endeavouredseveral likely-looking to carry outchaps his whomwife’s workhe sounded sax days an i’ unceremoniousthe ouk we dee rebuff.brawly; “ye Na, can sang, ca’ yersel’ gin we to tothe ye; kirk, we’re laird. naeYe come ’ll need-a to that try someyet freely.” ither ane So to said be a numberflunkey variations.one; and numbersThe day two was and wearing three on,repeated and Peter it withgetting slight the reverseman who of had hopeful, officiated when as he best encountered young man the at red-hairedthe marriage orra of offeringPeter Birse, himself junior. to feeThe in a red-haired free and easy orra sortman, of who way, had but been had thenot encounteredstate known anybody as “ bleezin.” who met Peter his terms, Birse, was senior, approaching averred gutters,”that he, whereuponpersonally, thewas red-haired “ chilpy stan’in’orra man aboot declared amo’ theythe oughttent, and to gorefreshed inside, andthemselves they did with so. theAs theygill whichsat in theKirkie’s orra theman mission had called, he hadPeter presently proceeded in tohand. lay outIt wasthe difficultiesnot that heof 252 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. thought of asking the red-haired orra man to undertake the elevatedduties of condition,the situation, conceived but that the the notion latter, that in ithis would somewhat be a goodwanted. “ rig ”Peter to engage Birse, himselfsenior, hadto Peter some as hazy the doubts,“ genteel which, ” lad however,was engaged a second to return gill dispelled,once again and to theClinkstyle, red-haired and orra there man to officiateNaturally as coachman the announcement as required. that Peter Birse, senior, had forto make him asa somewhatto the result snell of hisreception efforts inon thehis market return. ensuredHow- facts.ever, thereAll thatwas couldno use be indone declaiming was to make against the bestaccomplished of things shouldas they bewere. done. And Mrs. Birse was fully determined that this in theShe new had “viackle,” made sundry but ittentative was only excursions when Sir hereSimon and Frissal there Aprilhad returned that she to resolved the locality to turn in the out beginning in full style. of theSir month Simon, of houras was precisely, well known, every drove Sabbath along day to the that parish he was kirk at at home the same and indeparture health; ofand the the Clinkstyle modest schemecarriage, devised so as that was itto should time the at wereany rate not crossfound Sirpossible Simon’s even carriage to drive at halfa favourable alongside spot, the lairdif it complisha little space all thiswhere Mrs. the Birse two judiciouslykirk routes coaxedconcurred. and flatteredTo ac- the red-haired orra man, giving him assurance how well he lookedwould fainwhen have properly had a “cleaned,”sight of his and Sunday his coat wardrobe, buttoned. but hadShe newto be faecontent the napwith o’ the the general bonnet statement to the point that ito’ wasthe “taebit.” spleet aSunday kind ofcame, dignified the carriage satisfaction was trundled that Mrs. out, Birse and saw it was the withred- haired“yokin’” orra the man carriage bustling horse. about, The minus family his had coat taken and theirhat, herseats, mother’s not without great a disappointment,kind of protest fromhad asMiss yet Birse, failed who, to ex- to Theyhibit anywere symptoms ready to ofstart, satisfaction when Mrs. with Birse the carriagewas horrified scheme. by mistakableseeing the red-haired sample of orra the manbroad mount blue bonnet the dickey on his with head. an un-It manufacturedwas one of those on bigsubstantial knitting bonnetswires, and that the were “ pan,” wont orto topbe THE CLIMAX OF GENTILITY. 263 wasthe centreformed of of the a hugebonnet. bunch The of orraworsted, man wroughtspoke truly up right in say- in purchaseding it was for“ spleet that verynew,” occasion, for the asbonnet its extraordinary had evidently circum- been ferenceand uttered and anbulk exclamation testified. whichMrs. Birsewas a startedsort of indignantly,half protest whoagainst had the crammed orra man, himself and half into reproach one of the to backPeter corners Birse, senior, of the the“ viackle,” carriage and was wore already an extremely in motion, uncomfortable and the driver look. seemed But nowaydental utterance.disposed to Heinterrupt rattled hison mercilesslyprogress for over any the mere roughly- inci- tocausewayed the highway road proper. leading Thenout from in athe trice steading they were of Clinkstyle into the headred-haired of the orra stream man of saluted kirk-going with people,great familiarity,many of whom nodding the hisand portentousagain he called bonnet, out toand an flourishingold cronie, his“ Hilloa, whip, lad; while there’s once thethis stylereckless for you!”course Attemptswere, it need at remonstrating not be said, andutterly checking out of thecover question her wrath in the with circumstances. an air of sanctimoniousMrs. Birse strove resignation, hard to whileapprehension Peter Birse, of the who after timidly consequences, watched her looked face withincreasingly a lively theyill at ease,could and make Miss themselves Birse and heard,her brother concurred, -Rob, inthough so far onas red-haireddifferent grounds, orra man in tothe drive. folly ofRob, ever who setting kept a his fellow equanimity like the bettering his than mother any ofthat the heothers, had seizedbeen perfectlythe opportunity willing of to remind- act as hantledriver, betteradding, aboot with ca’in’ a feeling horse, of nor satisfaction, that gype did.that heAn’ “ kenthere’s a the laird’sorra man carriage,” rattled addedon. ToRob, cross as sure Sir enoughSimon’s it carriagewas. And in visionproper ofstyle that had horrible been Mrs. “braid Birse’s bonnet” highest with ambition. its big But“nap” the passingvelvet cushion in view was of enoughthe dignified to make baronet one faintlying away, back withouton his red-hairedthe addition orra of thoseman deplorablein cracking vulgarities his whip, on and the shouting part of the to fowk’sSir Simon’s road.” coachman to “ Ca’ awa’, min, or gae oot o’ ither reachedMrs. Birsethe church, did not and faint pulled away; up but in whenthe midst the “ ofviackle" many 264 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. loitering, eagerly-gazing onlookers, she threw open the door and preceded her daughter into the church with a severely devotionalNext day air. the duty devolved on Peter Birse of informing thequired red-haired at Clinkstyle. orra man The that orra his manservices did were not nomuch longer mind. re- laboured,He swore whicha little, was and conceded, demanded and wages Peter for Birse, the timein filling he had his place, was not asked to look out for another coachman. Sabbath,”“ Eh, butsaid thatMrs. wasBirse, a addressingprecious discoorse’t her daughter we two got days on afterluikit thefor incidentsin this wordle last recorded. but cheenges “There’s an’ disappointments. naething to be MaisterSic a blessin”s MacCassock. it is toAw be cudnear not conneckit ’a been wi’on-min’et a man upo’like wor’dlyGushetneuk, riches peer cud man, dee for’s fan he fan spak’ the dayso edifyin’ o’ affliction aboot or foo the little oor o’ deeth cam’.” “Eh,“ Mr. Gibb’s’Liza, fat not cud dyin’. gar he’s ye somethink better,” that—the said man’s Miss Birse.been heargi’en ’imowre pray’t this foraucht wi’ yerdays nain—ears near. An’ ?” forbye that, didna ye “ Well;Oh, ’Liza, the ’oman, minister fan pray’t did ever for yehis hear recovery.” a person pray’t for thatMiss wusna Birse dyin’; was tell evidently me that unconvinced?” of the futility of doctorsprayer for say, the m sick articula except mortis, when or the certainly subject ofentering it was, on as thatthe thestate. point, As whichlittle wasindeed her wasmother the topopular be shaken belief in in her Pyketillim. belief on whichBut Mrs. her Birse daughter’s had a information lingering suspicion had come, of andthe quartershe had from just streenput the ?” question,when the “Did servant ye girlsee knockedMrs. Wull at thei’ yer parlour roun’s door, the theand Mistress,handed in’t thea letter, merchan’s with theladdie remark, fuish “jist That’s eenoo.” a letter to jamin.“ Letter Foo to i’ theme, wordle’Liza! hisnaIt’s hefae vrutten yer nown to you broder as eeswal. Ben- glesses.”I howp he’s weel eneuch—See, read it there—I hinna my explained,The latter would sentence have was helped a sort to ofaccount euphemism for Benjamin which, literally Birse ordinarilyMiss Birse addressing broke open his the sister note, directly and read in place as follows of his :—mother. THE CLIMAX OF GENTILITY. 265 “ Dear Mother,—I hope father and yon will open this—not Eliza. to"What marry a precious Eliza ; andass youme goingVe made toadying of me, them saying like that this MacCassock till yesterday, was nephew’swhen Ins intendedaunt offered wife.’ to introduceThe old hag me saysto a it’sMiss all Catchbands, settled to be‘ her in a month.“That’s what I call doing the greenhorn and no mistake. How- ever,you catch it’s easyme at enough Clinkstyle to cut till them this idiotichere ; affairand justblows shave over. my head if “Your affectionate son, “Bn. Birse. parsons—she“ P.S. —MacCassock’s has plenty of not tin.” a goose—no more than the rest of your min’sMrs. note Birse to the managed last word. somehow She tothen hear expanded out Master her Benja-arms, hysterics.and with a huge screech went off in what was meant for CHAPTER XL IX. THE CONCLUSION. *HE first thought struggling in the mind of Mrs. Birse and givewas, way whether to utter etiquette unconsciousness demanded under that shethe shouldblow which faint moreBenjie’s demonstrative letter had inflicted form, could upon be her, properly or whether exhibited. grief, inBut a humanoccasion nature at once, quickly she exclaimed— asserted its sway, and, rising to the onything“ The o’Judas-like the kin’. person! Eh, but Fa it’s in thisaneuch wordle to cudfesh ’athe believ’t vera jeedgmentfor ’im, late o’ an’ Gweed ear’! upo’An’ you,the place.my peer Aifter innocent fat lamb!we’ve deenBut inI ’ll Aiberdeen. gar ’im swate Get for’t your no, vritein as lang’s dask, there’s this minute, gweed ’Liza.” lawvyers wonderfulMiss Birse, manner, who obeyed had maintained her mother’s her injunction equanimity without in a uttering“ Noo, a singleye’ll jistvreet word. aff at ance to your broder, Benjamin, an’ tell him to forquant Maister Pettiphog wi’ a’ the haill weelrinnins up o’to the the maitter; quirks o’an’ the I’m law sair as mista’encan vreet gin a letterhe binna that as’ll mither’sgi’e ’im aawpron-strings.” fleg that he hisna gotten the like o’ sin’ he leeft’s composureTo Mrs. andBirse’s equal utter explicitness, surprise, heranswered, daughter, “No, with mother, perfect I ’ll “’Liza!do nothing are yeo’ thei’ yer kin’.” senses?” exclaimed Mrs. Birse. though“ Mr. he MacCassock had I didna wantnever him. asked It’s me all to been marry a plan him; o’ your an’ own.The I explosionam sure he that was ensued not wantin’ was violent, to deceive and you.”the sound of aMrs. higher Birse’s key voice than could well beaccorded heard evenwith outsidethe rules the ofparlour genteel in Birsesociety. had Itretreated was soon to over,her however,bedroom andin tears, at the but close without Miss THE CONCLUSION. 267 havingbrother. written, Mrs. orBirse consented stalked to out write, of thethe parlourletter to andher lawyerto the inkitchen her breast with aof face groping that spokeafter the of combustion,proper object and on a which sensation she mightshe, addressing expend her the feeling. servant “girl. Fat’s “ come That o’was yer maisterhis fit that ?” said aw heard“ Ou, nae he mony cam’ minutes into the syne.”kitchie, an’ aifter hoverin’ a minute tomakin’ the back to gae faul’s ben, an’ turn’t, see foo rael the swyppirt, mole-catcher an’ said was he cornin’ wud awa’on.” shouldPeter’s imagine instinct that wasthis quitesudden correct; elopement but saved the reader, him his who full shareMacCassock in the stormy matrimonial ebullition project, that wouldfollowed have the formed collapse even of theyet butviews an of imperfect duty. Those idea who of havehis astute really understoodspouse’s character that amiable and evermatron, in realisingas she lived for themselvesand moved, the will agonising have no difficultyordeal through what- whichIt wasPeter even Birse, as Mr.senior, Benjamin had to Birsepass onhad this written subject. ; and Mr. accomplishedMacCassock’s events.marriage Who had speedilycould wonder to be numberedthat the succeed- among ingto the Sabbath Free Kirkshould at seethe theBroch, Clinkstyle and not “ viackleto the Free ” on Kirkits way of senior,Pyketillim? and RobIt wasBirse occupied was the by driver. Mrs. BirseFor andseveral Peter succeed- Birse, ing “Sabbaths Aw div not the won’er “viackle” nor yepursued canna thebe edifietsame route.wi’ sic a man,” expectedsaid Meg honourRaffan, ofon a whom visit atMrs. the Birse Lodge. had conferredBut Meg theRaffan un- checkedBirse and her her utterance, daughter werefor she not had of one an mindimpression on this thatquestion. Mrs. andTherefore social Megdissection confined of theherself newly-arrived to the safe Mrs.ground MacCassock, of a moral Birseand to with discreetly a view answering to find out the what leading was questionsbeing said put of by herself Mrs. gi’ein connexion yersel’ twa with thochts recent aboot events. that,” “ Eh, said Mrs. Meg Birse, : “ ye ye ’re needna owre character.”weel kent i’ the pairt. It’s nae orra claicks that ’ll blaud your cerningBut theMeg Free Raffan Kirk was and rather sundry at other a loss matters. now forWhitsunday news con- downhad come to Smiddyward, and gone, and was Hairry no longer Muggart, available who hadas a“ flitted”regular 268 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK. medium,had no occasion seeing he to had pass ceased the “Wast to be theLodge” “ laird’s statedly. vrichtand The claimsnumber of by her a featheredsuccession charge of “brodmils” at that season—multiplied of young turkeys, in homeducks, forand more other than poultry—absolutely a very short space prevented of time. Meg Yet leaving when oneand isshe “ gizzen’thad at last” for taken want a of “ rinnews owre” some to shift see Hairrymust beMuggart made, in his“ Ou new ay,” abode. said Hairry, who was in the highest spirits on prences,the subject wi’ ofoor his kailyard change forof residence.a kingdom. “WeGin livewe wunthere likethe fye!rigs, iswe Dawvid’re free o’gyaun the costthrou’’t an’ tribblewi’ the o’ newearin’ vricht them. already? Hoot, Weel,cawpable weel, o’’s lat wark ’im drink’sthe laird he’s ’ll ken brew’t; fa he’s gin obleeg’t the man till.” binna wuddie“Weel-a-wat, ere he was Dawvid an ouk there;an’ him an’ was Dawvid at the keest knag up an’ till the’im mairthat henor was muckle only an obleeg’t incomer, to athe peer minaister freen o’ thefor dominie’s,winnin there an’ sessionava—aw for’s div notill win’. believe ‘ But,’but theysays ’ll Dawvid, hae the ‘creatur ye ’ll k-no’ afore that, the langdominie, here.’” or no dominie, it’s only at my merciment gin ye be roun’“ Aye aboot the the aul’ Kirktoon, man, Hennie,” it wud saidseem, Hairry. lattin licht“He foo hed that been he tacksud berin instrucketoot, ’cause toSir ‘ laySeemon’s aff’ Clinkstyle to pit Peter in coorse Birse awa’.”afore the ploy’t,”“Weel, said weel; Meg; lat “but them fat’s b’lieve’im this that that’s you Freenae better Kirkers’s em- style?”been deein’ mairryin yer minaister bye the maiden o’ Clink- piper’s“ Keep news! me, Meg;Speer an’at Luckythat’s a’Birse that hersel’ ye ken fat aboot garr’t it. theThat’s Miss aul’leave Peter the naarhan’toon last dementit,ouk aifter an’ a refeesethrou’-the-muir ever to lat that ’er facedreeve be monimentseen there o’again a thing, oonless Meg?—sud the ‘ viackle’—saw be sent back ye faur ever it siccam’ a fae, “or Na, pitten Hairry, o’ the but hen-reist, ye dee garnever me to ferlie; be ta’en an’ doonme hed again.” ’er in thinksaboot atI. the‘The Lodge gryte nae goodwifepassin’ aucht callin’ days o’ syne.oorsel’, ‘ Fata peer neist?' in- erran’.dwaller i’She the thocht hirehouse!’ to get meHooever, to tak’ half-a-dizzen she camna o’peerwuntin’ stil- ’er THE CONCLUSION. 269 pertsheeld o’’er cock ; an’ chuckens than she atlows’t the theprice richt o’ grown gate aboot fools ;the but minais- I be- tersee’t an’ she a’ was’s ation. jist a kin’But o’wi’ made a’ ’er like, ootbearin’ an’ wud an’ ’a pride,unco fain aw hedcud wuda bodie’s say. ‘ sempathy,’But the Miss ’s yer daurin freen Dawvid,to flee in wi’ ’er ’smither’s muckle witterswords, that“ gateAh,” ! saidNa, Hairry, sirs !” with a sage smile. “ It’s a’ a maitter Youro’ ‘ sympathy,’ mither’s wullMeg; wud nae be doot a law ye to ’ll ye oon’erstan’ sae lang, i’’t yerperfeckly. bairn- toheid hae ; buta bit fan o’ yea saftnesscam’ fae an’lassie a drawin’ to lass, oot maybe to some ye wud ither come ane beginnor yer to mammy, hae swye an’ wi’ a wullye.—Ou, fae the ye tither needna side luik, o’ the ’oman,” hoose wudsaid Hairry,“For addressing shame to his ye, wife. Hairry Muggart,” exclaimed Meg could.Raffan, assuming as much of the affronted-maiden air as she said“ Mrs.Deed, Muggart, ye may say’t;in her usualisnin hefashion. a feel auF man, Hennie ?” composure.“That’s mair“ Hooever, nor lickly,” the Miss answered is oot o’ Hairry,’er mither’s with leadin’- great hednastrings, a aw man doot; body an’ wi’ it a cheatswull o’’s me nainsair atgin the the back peer o’’t, lassie ere disabolish’t.she cud mak’ There’sit a doon-laid to be nae rowle mair that ca’in’ the awa’ curricle to hyne sud awa’ be gweed-dother—youngkirks ; an’ forbye that, Peter’s ’er fader’s wife, to ye be ken—an”er latt’n gae tobairns see his 0’ the “Na,market sirs, days.” an’ the Miss’s gotten some ane to help’er to coup“ Awthe sudnacreels won’er,”o’ the aul’ said ’oman Hairry, ?” with a half careless, half mysterious“ Cud it air. be the merchan’, no ?” asked the henwife, with growing“Weel, interest. I’ve seen fowk blater at guessin’, Meg,” answered Hairry;“Na, “we’llbut didna see; I we’lltell’s see, nain come mither time.” that, near twa tow- mons“ Noo, syne man,”?” said said Meg Mrs. Raffan. Muggart, putting in her word with theresomething a’ aifterneen of decision lyaugin in herwi’ fowk,tone, an’“ ye negleckin winna need yer erran’.to sit It’s“Eh, time butthat that’s ye war weel owrebye min’et,” to meetsaid Meg.Gushetneuk.” “Peer man; an’ 270 JOHNNY GIBB OF GUSHETNEUK Gushets’s aye to the fore, is he ? Aw was dreamin’ aboot ’im the “Yetither livenicht at richt the sair.”back o’ the wardle, seerly, noo, Meg. Dinna“ Eh, ye butken aw’m that Johnny richt blythe Gibb’s to fairlyhear’t. cantl’t Aw upheard again?” that he wasexpeckit feerious to come far ganea-list in again a swarf ? But the he’s tither winnin day, toan’ the hardly gate a bittie?” on’s“ Hoot;nain feet, he an’was I’mable jist to begyaun doon awa’ at theowrebye kirk lastthat Sunday,gate to beensee ’im lyin’ aboot owre some sin’ hejots fell o’ bye;wark andat the nae Manse ither ane offices, cud gi’ethat’s me he’sorders nae aboot that them.—Ou oonfersell ay,again he’s growin’. gotten a Hebit o’has a ashak’; free han’but noo,atten’in’ like ’s the comman’s lave o”s, as an’ gin younghe war fowk the laird. aboot Na,him na,as proodGushets o’ tois couringae doon up fine;to the an’ Walls him foran’ anthe aucht goodwife’s days or makin’ siclike; ready an’ drogsthat’s thata hantle ye can better pit in’o for yerthe inside.”constiteetion nor a’ the doctor’s GLOSSARY,

[The purpose of a Glossary being simply to facilitate intelligent reading, it has not been sought either to trace the words explained below to their etymological sources, or to give all the meanings that may be attached to them. The language of Aberdeenshire is so peculiar that many of its words will hardly be intelligible even to the inhabitant of the southern andsistent western in its peculiaritiesdistricts of ; Scotland.and, therefore, It is,while however, the Glossary tolerably presents con- the meaning, a remark or two may be allowed with the view of enabl- ing the reader to arrive at the pronunciation of the words. In certain present participles, and participial nouns, the only difference between them and the same words in English is the dropping of the terminal g: thus workin’ for working; and therefore it has not been thought necessary to cumber the Glossary by the insertion tutedof such for words. gh in theIn manyspelling, of thein order words to the indicate digraph the ch gutturalhas been soundsubsti- : thus,pronunciation: nicht, for night.thus, whaWh (who), is changed fa ; whip, into fup. /, to express the actual Oo, in the south of Scotland has the sound of the French u : as, in thoon, moon, spoon, but the philologist, by the time he has crossed the Dee, will find the oo changed into ee, sounded precisely as in the name of that beautiful river, and thus we get sheen, meen, speen. There are, however, various exceptions to this rule: look, for example, becomes leuk, not leek; and book, beuk, not beek. Th gets changed into d: as fader, for father; breeder, for brother, and so on. The change of wh into f, and of th into d, both find illustration in one word, fudder (sometimes father), whether. Diminutives, in which Aberdeenshire Scotch is peculiarly rich, are generally formed by adding ie to the noun, as lass, lassie ; dog, doggie. Ock, supposed by some to represent the Gaelic og, young, is not how- 272 GLOSSARY. ever uncommon, as lass, lassock. And, frequently, as indicating a still greater degree of diminution, both are employed, thus : lass, lassock, lassockie. But, not satisfied with this, the natives carry the diminu- tion yet farther, by two or three degrees. And so we have a bit lassockie, a wee bit lassockie; and lastly, a little wee bit lassockie, in the fifth degree of comparison. Examples of such kindly diminution occur in the lines— SheThere gat was a wee a wee bit bit drappockie wifoclae, thatan’ she bred gaed her to muckle the fair. care. D, t, and l at the end of words are often dropped : thus, respect becomes respeck; wind, win'; and wall, wa'. V is also frequently omitted wherever it occurs : thus have becomes hoe, and harvest, hairst. In the spelling of certain words y or e has been introduced to indi- cate, as near as might be, the veritable pronunciation : as gyawn, nyeuk, leuk. G and k are always pronounced before n, as in German, thus : kniie, smash, £map.]

Aten, part, adj., eaten ABlach or Ablich, n., an insignificant Athort,A’thegither, prep., adv., athwart; altogether across Aboot,person prep.,.about; concerning Ation, n., generation; family con- Afif,Adoe, adv., adv., off ado; to do Aucht,Attveen, n., prep., possession between ; power Aifter,Ahin, prep., prep., behind after AuchtAucht, v.t.,nor tooucht, owe: nothingauchtin, atdue all ; Ain,Aiftemeen, adj., own n., aftemc-m Audiscence,neither one n., thing audience nor another ; encourage- Aise,Ainn, n., n., ashesarm Aught,ment toadj., speak eight ; a hearing Aisp,Aise-backet, n., asp ; n.,serpent a box for ashes Aumry,Aur, adj., n., old a cupboard : aul'er, older or elder Aleberry,Aiven, adv., n., even oatmeal boiled in ale Aw,Ava, pron., adv., atI all Aleen,and sweetened adj., alone wit’ Awat,Awa’, adv.,v.i., Iaway wot Amo’, prep., among amnin aw! ai Aweel,Awcre, adv.,n., acre well Aner’smas, n., Andrewmas Aweers o’, prep., on the point of Aneuch,Aneth, prep., n., enough beneath ; a sufficiency Antrin,Anidder, adj., pron., occasional another Back-chap, n., back-stroke, or blow: Argle-bargle,haggle v.i., to chaffer; ti partto hand of a msecond a back or chap, assistant to play the Asseer,Arreenge, v.t., v.t., to assureto arrange Backin,Bairnheld, n., n.,the childhoodaddress on a letter GLOSSARY. 273 -74 GLOSSARY. C. Coblie,watering n., placedim. of coble; a wayside Cairt,Cauff, n., cartchaff Cockernony,crown of a woman’sn., the starched cap kell or Cairnin’,or heaps; pr. spreadingpart., laying thickly on in caims Center,Contermin’t, adj., contrary:adj., counterminded; v.t., to oppose Ganna,Caller, adj.,aux. cool;v., can’t; fresh cannot Connach,contradictory v.t., to spoil; to destroy Can’lesmas,Cannas, n., n.,canvas; Candlemas especially that Confeerin, adj., suitable; correspond- breid,used m the winnowing breadth or grain: size of cannas such a Coontin,Coont, v.t., n., to arithmetic count Canny, adj., prudent; cautious; sly ; Coorse,course adj., coarse; harsh: n., Cantle-up,skilful v.i., to brighten up, as on Coup,Coort, n.,v.t., court to upset; to tilt up; to Carlie,regaining n., dim. health of carle ; churl completelyoverturn : to to coup upset the a creels,plan or meta., pro- Carline,vociferous n., womanfem. of carle; a rough, Cour,ject v.i., to recover (said of health) Caums,n.pl.,Cateohis, n., mouldsCatechism for balls, spoons, Cowshus,Crackle, adj., cautioustalkative; pleasingly Cauf, n., calf; dim. caufie Craft,communicative n., croft; dim. craftie Caup,piece n., of awood bowl turned out of a single Crap,dim. n., crappie crop, particularly ; also the ofcrop cereals; of a Chack,Cept, or n., cep, blue prep., and exceptwhite chequered Craw, v.i., to crow: to craw in your Chafts,linen orn.pl., calico clothchops; jaws (used meta.,crap, toof provewhat willindigestible, give trouble used Chanter,contemptuously) n., the flute-like part of the Creelie,afterwards n., dim. of creel, an osier bagpipes on which the tune is Creengin, pr. part., cringing; obse- Chap,knock; n., toa strikeyoung with fellow: a hammer v.t., to Croon,quious n., crown Chaum’er,Chape, adj., n., cheap a chamber, applied to Cudna,Cronies, v., n.pl., couldn’t; familiar could companions not out-houses:sleeping place v.t., for tofarm shut servants up in ina Culph’t,dmg, or v.t., culphin drove home the wad- Cheenge,chamber v.t., to change Curryborum,sation, of an., quiet, confidential earnest, conver- and Chiel,Cheer, n.,n., chaira proper fellow: dim. semi-gossiping sort Chimley,chielie n., chimney Chop,Chuckens, n., shop n pi., Chickens E>. Chyne,Claer, adj., n., chain distinct; ready Daar, adj., dear; expensive Claes,Claikit, u.pl., part., clothes idly tattled Daily-day,Daccle, v.i., toadv., slacken every one’s day; pace con- Clivver,Claiks, n.pl., n., clover clacks; gossip Dargin,tinually pres, part., working as a day Clampin’,as with hobnailedpr. part., shoes walking noisily, Daumer’t,labourer adj., stunned ; stupifled Cluik,(contemptuously) n., a claw or talon; the hand Daursay,Daurin, pr. v., part., daresay daring Clypes,Clench, n.,v.i., tattle to limp ; tell-tale gossip Deave,Dawtie, v.t., n., ato pet deafen; to annoy by Clossach, n., a mass; sum of hoarded Dee,importunity v.t., to do: v.i, to die GLOSSARY. 2?5 Deeoe,form n.,of aa sofa,long withwooden panelled seat inback, the Dud,Draws, n., n.pl., cloth fits: duds, of sickness clothes Deed,and noadv., padding indeed Dunt,Dummie, v.t., n., toone knock, who is dumb;strike witha mute a Deen,Deem, past.n., dame part, ; oflass: dee, dim. to do:deemie deen hollowsettle a sound:dispute toby dunt a stand-up it oot, ento Deestcrs,ill, very ilfn., doers; actors; promo- Dwebble,counter adj., feeble ; bending with Deeth, n., death Dyker,weakness n., a builder of rough stone Del’in,Deld, adj., pr. part.,dead delving; cultivating fences or dykes Dementit,with the adj.,spade mad; unreasonable E. Dennerin,serving dinner pr. part., providing or Ear*, adv., early Desoryve, v.t., to describe Eargh,tiously adj.,afraid frightened; supersti- Deykn,his profession n., deacon; one who excels in Easedom,Edder, conj., n., eitherease; relief Didnin,Diffeekwalty, v., didn’t? n., difficulty,did not? accented Een,Edick, n.pl., n., aneyes edict Dilse,on the n., seconddulse syllable Eenoo,Eese, n., adv., use; even v.t., now; to use just now Dinna,Ding-on, aux. v., v.,to raindon’t; or snowdo not Eeswal,Eesefu’, adj., usual:useful war nor eeswal, Disjeest,Discoont, v.t.,n., discountdigest Eident,worse adj.,than industrioususual ; diligent Disabolish,Dird, v.t., to v.t., drive to orabolish cast violently Elk,him v.t., up, to to make egg him an additionon : to eik Dist,tached n., dust;in grinding, the pollen used offor oats feeding de- El’ersPresbyterian or elyers, Church) n.pl., elders (in the Dit,poultry, v.t., to &c. close; to fill Ettercap,Erran’, n., n.,errand a poisonous ; message spider; a Div,when v.t., do youdo: go fan ? div ye gae} Ettle,person v.i., of to an endeavour irritable disposition ; to aim at Divot,Divnin, n., v.t., a flat do turfnot? Excamb,exchanged n., for one another piece of groual Dog-dirder,Dizzen, adj., n.,dozen whipper-in; kennel Expeckit,Exkeesable, past adj., part., excusable expected Dog-oil,attendant n., oil extracted from the Expoon, v.t., expound Doitit,livers adj., of dog-fish stupid; stupifled F. Dooker,dook, v.t.,n., one to bathewho ducks, or bathes : Fa, pron., who? Dominie,domine) n., a schoolmaster (from Fa’,Fader, v.i., n., fall father Doot,Doon, adv.,n., doubt: down nae doot, without Fan,Fae, prep.,adv., whenfrom Dossie,doubt n., a small quantity in the Fant,Fangs, adj., n.pl., faint louts; lumpish fellows Dother,form of n., a knotdaughter or cluster Fash,Fat, pron., v.t. and what n., trouble Dottl’t,age): adj.,dottlin, forgetful pr. part.,(chiefly becoming through Fatsomever,Faugh, v.t., topron., plough whatsoever stubble land- Dozen’t,stupid int.,or forgetful exclamation equivalent Faul’,in wide, n. or shallow v.t., fold:furrows to fauV your Drap,to confound n., drop: it! dim. stupify drappie it Faulies,fit, to sit n.pl., down dim. ot faulds; orig., Drogs,Dreeve, n.pl., v. pret., drugs drove thefolds fields for cattle where or these sheep, had applied been to 276 GLOSSARY. Faur, adv., where Fou, adj., full; drunk Feck,Fawrour, n., then., favourgreater part; the ma- Fowk,Foumart, n., folk;n., pole-cat people Feckly,jority adv., chiefly; for the most Fozy, adj., spongy (as a turnip); Feal-dyke,Fedder, n., feathern., a fence made of turf flatteringly, with a desire to ingra- Feedle,Feelish, n.,adj., field foolish; thoughtless Feerious,parisons adj.,for exceedingly furious ; used in com- remarkably fine Fegs,ably interj., for faith! a minced oath, presum- Fudder,Fuish, pret. eonj., of v.whether t., fetched; brought: Feingyin,Ferlie, n., pr.wonder; part., oddityfeigning Full,Ifuish, v.t., toI brought fill Feint,strong interj., negatives: exclusively feint ane, used never in Futher,Fup, n., conj.,whip and adv., whether Fer-nothing, n., fear-nothing; dread- Fung,motion v.t., to throw, with a jerking Femyear,nought n., last year Furm,without n., form,a back a long seat or bench Fesh,Fersell, v.t., adj to , forceful;fetch energetic Fusky,Fuskers, n., n.pl., whisky whiskers FUe,Fess’t, n., part., while: fast; dim. engaged filie, a litUe Fusionless,Fusion, n., poweradj., powerless; ; strength weak Filk,while pron., which? Fyou, adj., few : comp., fyouer Fit, n.,I a foot: to give one up his fit, G. First-fit,Fite, adj°white n., the first person that Gae, v.t., gave : v.i., to go : pr. part., meetsprocession a marriage party or other Gae-lattin,gyauin (going), pr. orpart., gaen letting go : Flee,Flaucht, n., n.,fly: flight nae a flee, not a par- ofmeta., bankruptcy at the gae-lattin, on the eve Fleerish, n., a steel for striking fire Gang,Ga’in, n.,v.i., Gavin, to go; proper to walk name paper,from flint, is kindled by which match, or touch Gast,Gar, v.t., n., fright;to force; what oblige takes one sud- Fley,Fleg, v.t., to frighten denly aback Folia,Foifteen, n., adj.,fellow fifteen ,a silly, 1_ Fond,Fools, n.,n.p., Fund fowls : dim. foolUs Gedder,Gawkitness, v.t., ton., gather uncouth ; to silli.— collect Fooshtit,Foraneen, adj., n., forenoon fusted Geyan,Gey, adj., adv., rather used in comparisons; Forbears,cestors or forebears, n.pl., an- rather; somewhat: geyan stoot, Foort,Forder, adj., adj., fourth and adv., further Gi’e,Geylies, v.t., adv., to give:pretty pr. well part., gi’ein, Forehreist,front of a cartn., front seat of a gallery; Gin,giving conj., if Forrit,Forfecht, adv., v.t., forward overdo ; overtask Gizzen’t,Girss, n., adj,grass shrunk through drought Forquant,Forgather, v.t.,v.i., toto meetacquaint; together to inti- Glack,things n., separate ravine; or pointbranch where oft two Fortiggan, pr. part., fatiguing; the- Glaiket,Glaid, adj., adj., glad idle ; happy; thoughtless Foryet, v.t., to forget Gloamin,Glives, n.pl., n., eveninggloves twilight GLOSSARV. 277 278 GLOSSARY. Hurb,Hunner, n., adj.,clumsy, hundred awkward person Kebbuck, n., a cheese: dim. keb- Hurl,carriage, v., to also be todriven drive in any sort of Keerious,Keepit, v.t., adj., kept curious; strange Hyne,Huz, pron., adv., usafar ; otherwise: hyne awa', 7tiz far off Kell,Keest, n., v., caul; cast the puckered part of a Hyse,frolic n., banter; boisterous play, or hackwoman’s part mutch of the headthat rises over the Ken,kenna, v.t., know to know;not to recognise: L Kettlie,Kenspeckle, n., dim. adj., of easily kettle ^cognisable m-win’,Hka, adj., n., each coarse ; every or abusive language Kibble,pactly adj.,formed strong and active; com- Income,Immedantly, n., an adv., infirmity immediately whose cause Kirktoon, n., a hamlet near or around is unknown Kist,the n.,church chest Intill’t,Induck, intov.t., itto induct Kitchie, n., kitchen; whatever sea- Insnorl, v.t., to entrap Kittle, adj., difficult; critical Intoon,nearest adj.,the toon originally or farm-house; the land the Korter, n., quarter of an oat cake best land on the farm Klyack,klyack n.,supper, the conclusion the harvest-home of reaping: Inveetor,goods inventoried n., inventory; value of Knablick,feast adj., an irregularly formed Ither,Isnin’t, pron., v.i., isother not it? or, is it not? Knag,loose n.,stone a knob or pin Itmost, adj., utmost; to the greatest Kneggum,smell or flavour n., sharp or disagreeable Kneevlick,anything thatn., maya roundish be cut or piecebroken, of Jalouse, v.i., to suspect; to surm Knowehoid, n., top of a hillock Jaw,Jaud, n., n., wave; jade abusive language Kwite,Kwintra, n., n., coat country Jaw,Jeedge, v.i., v.t., to talk to judge continuously and Kye,Kyaaks, n.pl., n.pl., cows oatmeal cakes Jeesty,Jelly, adj., adj., jolly matter ; buxom for jest; used Kyeuk, n., cook ordinarily in the negative form : it’s L. Jilin’,nae jeesty,n., jailing; it is not putting to be trifledinto jail with Laddie, n., dim. of lad; a boy Jilp,of anyn., anliquid, indefinite applied small contemptu- quantity Ladles,tached n.pl., to long small handles oblong for boxes the pur- at- Jinniprous,ously, e.g. adj.,to inferior ingenious; liquor natty offertorypose of collecting the offering or Jinse,Jist, adv., n., Janetjust; merely Laimlter,Laft, n., loft; n., theone gallery who inhas a church been Jouk,the jawv.i., gaeto stoop:owre, toto joukyield an’to cir-lat Lair,lamed; n., placea cripple of repose ; bed ; grave Joukry-pawkry,cumstances n., underhand deal- Lairdskip,Laird, n., squire n., lordship; ; proprietor right of as land pro- Jow,ing v.,; trickery; to move deception from side to si Lairstane,prietor n., gravestone Juggle,to ring n., (said dim. of ofa bell)jug Laneyer orleen, leen, by adj.,yourself lone: adv., alone: Langiges,Lang, adv., n.pl., long languages Langheidit,ing ; shrewd adj., longheaded; know- Kaim,Kail, n., v.t, colewort to comb: (greens) n., a comb Lant,Lanstells, v.t., n.pl.,to jeer parapets of a bridge GLOSSARY. 279 Lassie,Lat, v.t., n., to dim. let; ofto Ians; permit a girl Maister,Mairch, n.,n., march;master boundary Lawvyers,Lave, n., the n.pl., rest; lawyers the remainder Maksna,Maitters, v.,n.pl., makes matters; not; mattersaffairs not Lee’ft, left Mannie,Mammy, n., n., dim. mamma; of man: mother sic mannic Leet,Leems, v.i., n.p., let; implements; allowed: leet apparatus at him, Maroonjus,sic horsie, adj.,like masterharshly like stem man Leem,struck v.t., or assailedto learn; him also to teach Marrow,Mealy-mou’t, n., equal; adj., nice;companion squeamish Leemin, n., learning: leerrit, adj., Meesic,Mear, n., n., mare music Legible,Leevin, n.,adj., living intelligible, (being); aaccording person Mengyle,Mell, v.i., n.,to meddlea multitude; a huddled Lethal,to Dawvid adj., Haddenlegal. Dawvid misapplies Menners,mass n.pl., manners theing word in the display of his learn- Mertyreese,Meroiment, n.,v.t., mercy; to torture tolerance one as a LeukLeuch, or v.i., luik, lauched v.i., to look Milkness, n., the business of caring Licht,Lichtlifie, v.i., v.t.,to alight to undervalue Min’,for andv.t., preparing to mind; milk; to care milk for; to Liftit,Liokly, adj., adv., elevated; likely; probably overjoyed Min,remember n., man; used chiefly in the Likein, part, as adv., like as; for Minit,vocative n., minute Limmer,' m of n.,reproach a worthless woman; a Mint,insinuate; v.i., to to endeavourallude to feebly; to L1&! Mink,hangman’s n., a halternoose; the noose of a Littleanes,Lippie, n., the n.pl., quarter little of aones; peck chil- Misdoot,Misca’, v.t., v.t., to miscall;to doubt, to apparentlyvilify Liveliheid,dren : little n., littleanes, livelihood small children Mishanter,intensified n., by accident;mis disaster Loan,about n., a atown piece or of homestead uncultivated land Missionar,Mislippen, v.t.,n., missionary to neglect; mistrust Locker,the end n., of a chestsmall compartment in Mith, aux. v., might: mithna, might Loot,Loon, v.,n., let;a lad; to stoopa boy Mither,Mithnin, n., might mother not? Lordllfu’,lavishness adj., lordly; bountiful to Mizzour,Mixter-maxter, n., measure n., a confused mass Loss,Loshle, v.t., interj., to lose expressive of wonder Mflchie,Machs, n.pl., adj., misty,moths the idea of moist- Loup,Lowrin, v., n., to Lawrenceleap; to jump Moderate,ness and warmthv.i., in beingthe Presbyterianimplied Lowse,leave offv.t., work to loose or loosen; to holdChurch, a meetingto moderate of Presbyteryin a call is toat Lugs,Lozen, n.pl., n., a thepane ears; handles whichcall to athe preacher congregation to become sign their the Luggle,table use,n., awith small lugs wooden or handles vessel foron Moggans,minister n.pl., stockings without Lyaug,the sides v.i., to talk idly and copiously Molie^n., familiar designation of mole- Lythe, n., shelter: adj., sheltered Moniment, n., anything conspicuous Mools,by its n.pl., oddity moulds; earth cast out Maet, n., meat; victuals Mom, n., to-momow Mair,Mainteen, adj., v.t.,comp., to 1 ' Mou’,Moudiewort, n., mouth n., mole 28o GLOSSARY. Mowse,Moufu’, adj.n., mouthful (used neg.), not mowse, Nyattor,grumble v.i., to talk peevishly; to Moyen,dangerous n., influence ; means: fo lay Nyod,tion, interj.,equivalent semi-profane to ods or exclama-od, with Multiteed,moyen, to n., use multitude means the characteristic negative prefixed Munsie, n., droll or contemptible o. Mutchkin,Mutch, n., an., woman’s a liquid cap measure of Ochtna, ought not four gills On-cairry,On-been, v., n., without ongoing being Ondeemas,ordinary adj., enormous; extra- N. Ongaens,Onfeelin’, adj.,n.pl., unfeeling ongoings; transac- Na-say,Na, adv., n., no; nay-say; nay refusal Ongrutten,tions ; proceedings part, adj., without shed- Nace,Nahal, adj., adj., destitute; ill-natured threadbare ; churlish ’Oo\ing n., tears; wool from greet, to weep Naething,Nae, adj., non., nothing Ooncanny,chievous; dangerousadj., uncanny; mis- Nain,fined adj., pronunciation own : noum is a more re- ’Oor,Oor, pron.,n., hour our: oor nain, our own Nane,Naitral, pro., adj., none natural Oorlich,rain: oorlich adj., shivering nicht, a cold, with raw cold night and Near-b’gyaunness,Naitur-girss, n., natural n., niggardliness herbage Ootgang,Ootfeedles, n., n.pl., outgo; outfields excess over Nedder,neither Nedderin, pro. and conj., Ootwuth,weight or adv., measure outwardly; fully Neen,Neeps, pro., n.pl., none turnips Ordeen,Opingan, v.t., n., toopinion ordain Negleck, n.vlri-tedv.t., to neglect: part, ne- Orra,Orpiet, adj., peevish;unappropriated: querulous orra Neist,Neihourheid, adj., next n., neighbourhood appropriatedman, one who to thedoes other odd servantsjobs not NeukNervish, or nyeuk,adj., nervous n., nook; corner Oxter,Ouk, n., n., week the armpit; the bosom Newsie,Newse, v.i.,adj., to full talk of or news; gossip communl- Owdience,Overly, adj., n., incidental audience Nlcket, adj., disappointed; put in a Owsen,Owre, prep., n.pl., over oxen Nickum,dilemma n., mischievous or royster- Nievefu*, n., handful P. Niz,Niflfer, n., v.t., nose to exchange Pairis’,Pairts, n.pl.,n., parish parts; abilities Nizzin,a drubbing n., nosing; a sharp reception; Parkie,Pape, n., n., The dim. Pope of park; a small No,Noo, adv., adv., now now at the end of sentences, Partan,enclosed n., field crab Non-intrusion,especially when adj., interrogative not intruding a Peeak,Pass, n., v.i., passage to complain peevishly; minister on a reclaiming congrega- Pech,to cry n., like forcible a chicken emission of the Nor, conj., than (after a compara- Peer, adj., poor Notionate,Not, v.t., needed adj., ;opinionative; required obsti- Penner,wooden n.,case penholder; for holding penscylindrical Nowte, n., nolt; cattle Percurrence,currence n., Dawvid meant con-

>82 GLOSSARY. Rink, v.t., to scramble, as over a Seet,Seerly, n., adv., site; surely ground on which to Rinnins,points; headsn.pl., outlines; principal Seetivation,build n., situation Roch,Robbie, adj., n., rough;dim. of Robertcoarse SellsSelfitness, an’ thrammels, n., selfishness n.pl., the fast- Roose,Boon, adv., v.t., roundto rouse; to stir up theenings neck. of cattle.The thrammelThe sell goes is a roundchain Rowle,Row, v., n., to rule roll sellwith to swivel the stake in it for attaching the Ruck,Royt, adj.,n., a wild;corn-stack full of : dim.rough ruckie frolic 'Serve’s,Sen’s, n.pl., interj., those contraction sent as forerunners of pre- Rumgumption,Rug, v.t., to pull n., common-sense; Settril, adj., slightlystunted in growth Ryn,mother-wit n., rein Shall,Seyven, n., adj., shell: seven shally, adj., shelly, Shalt,abounding n., a pony in shells S. Shakker,which shakes n., part out of the a threshingstraw mill Sae, adv. and conj., so Shank,being knittedn., a stocking ; the leg in process of Sair,Saick, v.t., n., tosack serve: sairin, serving Shamie, adj., besmeared with sharn Sang,Sair, adj., n., sore;expletive, painful; possibly oppressive from Sheelocks,Sharries, n.pl., n.pl., contentions; the shells or quarrels husks Sanna,sanguis, v., bloodshall not Sheet,of ground v., to oatsshoot Sattle,Sanshaoh, v.t., adj., to settle: saucy; sattt’f, disdainful settled Shelvins,the capacity n.pl, ofslipboards a cart to increase Sauchen, adj., still and unsociable Sheugh,Sheen, n.pl., n., a shoesditch; a small ravine Saurless,Saun’ers, n.,adj., Alexander tasteless, or spiritless Shoo’er,Shirra, n., n., sheriffshower Sauter,Saut, n. n.,and salter;adj., salt one who can do Shou’dersders or shooders, n.pl., shoul- Sawna,sharp orv.t., severe saw notthings Sib,Shrood, adj., n., allied shroud by blood Soaad,Sax, adj., n., sixscald Siccan,Sic, indef. adj., pron., such such Soaum,Scabbit, v.t.,adj., toscabbed scorch; to bum or Siclike,Siccar, adj.,adj., sure;such-like secure Sclaittie,heat slightly n., dim. of sclate, a slate Siller, n., silver; money in general Sclaffert,of the hand n., a stroke with the palm Sclaive,reports open-mouthedv.t., to proclaim sinister Scoon’rel,Scoug, n., n.,a shelter; scoundrel a pretence Sizzon,Sinsyne, n., adv., season since that ti Scraiohin’,Scouth, n., room;pres, part.,accommodation screaming; Skaikit,Sipper, n., past supper part., bedaubed; be- Scronaoh,screeching n., a querulous outcry Skail,smeared v.i., to break up or dismiss, as Scry,advertisement v.t., to cry; to proclaim, as an Skaillie,a congregation n. , slate-pencil Scunnerfu’,Scunner, n., adj.,disgust disgusting; loath- Seelent, adj., silent Skelbs, n.pl., splinters; broken pieces Seenit,Seen, adv., n., Synodsoon: scener, sooner Skelf,Skellach, n., shelfn., charlock, wild mustard GLOSSARY. 283 Skirp,liquid v.t., matter to throw in drops out water or any Stappin’,Starshie, n.,part., uproar; stepping quarrel Skirps,part., splashedn.pl., splashes: ileirpit, p. Steadin’,purtenances n., farm-house and its ap- Skweel,Skowff, y.t.,n., schoolto quaff; to drink off Stech,gorge v.t., to cram; to satiate; to Skyrin,trusively, adj., or shiningostentatiously glaringly, ob- Sten’in,Steel, n., pr. stool part., stending; walking Sleicht,Sleumin, n., n., sleight hint; surmise; faint in- Stioket,with long past strides part., of to stick: sticket Slichts, n.pl., slights extentminister, of onestudy, who, has after failed a certainto get Slype,culiarly n., opprobriouscontemptible epithet fellow; a pe- Stickle,licence n.,as adim. preacher of stick, a piece of Smatohet,an insignificant n., a contemptible person child ; Stibble,wood n., stubble Smeddum, n., shrewdness; intelli- Stilperts,Stiffen, n., n.pl., stiffening; stilts; starchmeagre, long- Snapper,Snappus, v.i.,adj., to snappish stumble, as a horse Stobthacket,legged chickens adj., thatched by driv- Sneeshinie,shin, snuff adj., snuffy, from snee- Stock,ing in n., the a good-naturedstraw with a stob fellow Snifterin,Snell, adj., pastkeen; part.,piercing drawing air Stoit,v.i., toor walkstyle jerkinglyn., nonsense: or stagger- stoit, Snippet,through adj., the nosehaving a white streak Stoot,ingly adj., stout; healthy Snod,down adj., the neatface Stoups,two pieces n.pl., of props; the frame supports; of a cartthe Snorl, n., a difficulty; a scrape supportthat project it when beyond tilted the up body, and Sook,Sorra, v.t., n., sorrow;suck the devil (inpro- Stramash, n., disorder; broil Soun’,fane negations)adj , sound; in religion, ortho- Strap,plate v.t., to bind as with an iron Sough, n., an indistinct sound; a ru- Strappin, adj., tall, handsome, and Straucht,straighten adj., or v.t., straight; to Spats,oowens, n.pl., n., oatmeal abbreviation nummery of spatter- Stravaig,Streck, adj., v.i., strict to wander about idly Spean,dashes v.t., to wean Streetch,Streek, v.t., v.i., toto stretchstretch: stre.ekit, Spin’lin’,Speer, v.i., pr. to askpart., ; to toquestion spindle; to tostretched ploughing ; begun, applied primarily Sprots,grow upn.pl., as acoarse spindle grass Streen,Strunge, n., adj., yesternight sour: surly Spull,Spyauck, v.t., n., spill example ; guide Succur,Stur, n., n.,stir: sugar sturrin, adj., stirring Squailachin,squealing n., clamorous noise; Sucken,a mill; n.,generally the district the districtthirled toin Staffy-nevel,staffy-nevel job,adj., fight withstaff-in-hand cudgels : Superannuat,which anyone adj., carries annually on business accord- Staito,Staihch, n., adj., statute staunch Supplicant,ing to Mrs. n., Raffan a beggar Stamack, n., stomach: dim. stam- Suppit,eat with pret. a spoon and part., of to sup; to Stanoe, 1 1, seta station, or site Sweer,Swarf, n.,adj., fainting-fit; lazy; indolent swoon Stank,Stane, 01n., a ditch Sweetie-wives,attend marriages n.pl., to sell women confections who Stam, n., a star; a very small quan- Swick,Swyppirt, n., adj.,blame swift; sudden; abrupt 284 GLOSSARY. Syne, adv., since Toitin’, part., trotting; moving about Swype,Swye, n., n., sway sweep ; influence Toon,ploddingly, n., a town or submissively; a farm steading Toosht,Tout, v.t., n. andto sound v.i., an as untidy a horn quantity T. Tow,of anything;n., rope to handle carelessly Tack,farm n.,so leasedthe lease of a farm; the Trachel,Towmon, v.i.,n., twelvemonths to draggle; to abuse Tacket,of hobnails n., a hobnail: tacketie, full Trag,through n., trash slovenliness ; worthless stuff Tae,Tak’, n., v.t., tea; to toetake : taebit, toepiece Trance, n., the entrance; the lobby Taupie,Tatle, n., n., potato simpleton; a slatternly Transack, n transaction ; affair Taul,female v.t., told Tribble,affliction; n to trouble Ted,applied n., toad to a; man:a term the of contempt,dim. teddie, as Trook,value n.,: v., small to exchange; ware ; goods to tradeof little in however,is used as as a Oterm you of bonnie endearment, teddie, Truncher,a small way n., trencher Tee,addressed adv., too; to a likewise child Trypal, n., tall; lank, or slovenly Teem,Teels, n.pl.,adj., emptytools ; implements Tryst,of meeting: v.t., to n.,appoint an engagement a time or place Teen,Terrible, n., tune;adv., humour;this word temper is very Turkls,Tyeuk, v.t.,n., nippers took or pincers exceedingly,frequently used as terriblein the little,sense orof Turra,Tumkwite, n., Turriff, n., turncoat; the name backslider of a town Tes’ment,terrible bonnien., testament Twa, adj., two Thack,That, adv., n., thatch used instead of so : that drunk,not so badso drunk,(haud itaAc.; male) nae that ill, Theets,cattle drawn.pb, inthe a plough,traces &e.by :which oot o' Um’rage, n., umbrage disorderlytheet, or owre or extravagantly the theets, is acting Unco,Unoe, adj.n., ounce or adv., strange ; uncom- Thegither,Thereoot, adv., adv., outside; together in the open Un’ersteed,mon : an uncov., understood man, a stranger Thig,air v.i., to beg; generally applied Upsettin’,Upfeshin, n.,adj., upbringing; pretentious training toseed the oats olden to sow practice first crop of onbegging enter- Up-throu’,Uptak, n., apprehensionprep, used as a noun, Thirl,ing av.t., farm to astrict or bind upper part of the country Thole,Threep, v.t., v.i., to to suffer;insist pertinaciously to endure; to V. Thoom,thoom upon,n., thumb: to conceal to keep one’s Veelent,Vera, adv., adj., very violent Throu-the-muir,tention n., quarrel; con- Veto-law,term, signifying n., Scotch a law toecclesiastical empower a Tig,Tioht, v.i., adj., to tight touch lightly; to dally ; nationcongregation of a ministerto object overto the them, ordi- Tine,to meddle v.t., toplayfully lose; past part, tint, Viackle,should theyn., vehicle consider ; conveyancehim unsuitable Tinkler,lost n., tinker: tinkler’s curse, Vizzy, n., look ; vizzy backart, retro- something of no consideration or Vokie,spirits adj., jocular; in exultant VRY. 285 Vrang,Vratch, adj.,n., wretch wrong Wilipen’,defame v.t., vilipend ; vilify ; to Vrote,Vreet, vreetin,v.t., pret. n., andwriting part., ■? Winsome,Win’y, adj., adj., windy; attractive boastful ; comely Witter,witters n., (withers), barb of the a dartthroat or hook : Won’er,Wordle, n., wonderworld Woo,still interj., call to a horse to stand Wale,Walloch, v.t., n., to selecta characteristic High- Walls,land dancen.pL, wells Wanworth,Wama, v.i., n.,were unworth; not an insigni- Warshficant orprice warsh-like, adj., insipid; Wa’s,sickly n.pl., walls ruuuie,which the n., criminalwitnie, i is e., hanged, me wixne hence oy WainlshH-like,thin; meagre-looking adj., vanished-like ; gibbetthe word itself is popularly used for the Wallyuntidy draggle, person ;n., an anill-grown insignificant, animal Wudden,Wunt, v.t., adj., to want;wild; madto seek Waur,Walthy, ‘adj., adj., worse wealthy Wup,thread, v.t., &c. to bind round, as with Wuss,Wusna, v.t., v.i., to was wish not Wauoht n., draught Wyme, n., stomach; belly Wear-awa’,Wauger, v.i., to to wear wager; away to ; betto die Wyte, v.i., to wait; n., blame Weel,Weoht, adv., n., weightwell Weel-faur’t,comely adj., well-favoured; Yabble, v., to speak loudly and rapidly Weel-a-wuns,expressive of soothinginterj., exclamationand endear- Yalla,with adj.,indistinct yellow utterance Weer, n., wire ; knitting-needles Yap,Yauoht, adj., v.t, hungry to own Weet,Weesht, adj., interj., wet whist I silence! Yauws,mill n.pl., arms, e.g., of a wind Went,Weirdless, n., glance adj., worthless;; blink thriftless Yearook,Yawin', adj., n., aawful hen not exceeding a WhitetWhigmaleerie, or whitie-hroons, n., whim; fancyu.pl., un- Yer,year pron., old; youra pullet Wi’,bleached prep., lintwith thread Yett,Yerl, n., earla gate Wine, n., a little woman, whether a Yimin,calf n., rennet; the stomach of a YuleYokit, and v.t, Yeel, yoked n., Christmas

PRESS OFFICE, ABERDEEN. *