Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1843-09-01
THE DANCING DOCTOR.
A HIGHLAND TALE-FoUNDED ON FACT

many poets and heroes, called StredfhSpey,
n very respectable man ofthe name OF Grant.
He was of that rank or class which was the
medium betwixt the chief and the common
tenant, called tdcksmdn, possessed OF am
ple means and living in a style OF respecta-
bic hospitality, according to the spirit OF the
times. He was married to a person selected
from the same class in life as himself, wo-
man much beloved and respected Tor her
general correct department and amiable
qualities of mind. 1t so happened, howev-
err. that this lady, owing to temporary de-
ranqement of health became unfortunately
the subject Of species of insanity or monom-
apia. She labored under delusion so
strong as to conceive hersefto be piece OF
mechanism, viz; clock, or time piece, an
idea probably suggested to her mind by the
presence of some such article of furniture in
her chamber. Under the influence oil this
delusion, this worthy woman was wont to SIT
constantly upon a seat, and in despite OF the
entreaties of her grieviug husband and fam-
", she for nights and days persisted In uni
tating the motions and sounds OF that lnstru-
ment This she did by swinging herself
from right to left in the manner OF pendu-
lum. motion in which her eyes and lips
were made to concur, emitting at the same
time sound produced by her tongue re-
sembling the clicking Of clock; and, when
the hour was concluded, she indicated the
number by striking her open hands together,
keeping time TO the action of the horologe
After using every means with view to
direct the lady from her extraordinary avo-
cation, she was kept in retirement from pub
lie observation, and allowed to indulge with
out restraint in her absurd fancles.
While the lady labored under this mania,
which, from the secrecy observed by her
husband and domestics, was but little known
TO her neghbors or the public, 1t SO happen
ed that sturdy Highlander, servant OF her
husband, who was located in remote shedt-
ing in a glen as herdsman, came TO the
house to get periodical supply of provis-
ions for his subsistence This man, Donald
M'Alpin, was at the time totally unacquaint-
ed with the deplorabe condition of his mis-
tress, and the husband being absent at the
time of his arrival Donald, as he was wont,
inquired for his mistress, with view TO get
his usual supplies; and the domestcs, either
from design or accident, did not choose to
enlghten him on the subject oil her situa-
ton. Perhaps they were induced to conceal
the circumstance from curiosity as TO the
result of an interview betwixt her and Do
maid, who was himself very eccentric char
acter, and had often afforded a subject of
great entertainment TO his mistress, and 9TH
ers Of the family, in more happy Hines. For
the reader must understand that the said
Donald M'Alpin was as grotesque in his
dress as he was eccentric in his manners.
In his youth Donald was deeply attached
to the national amusements of his country
that is, drinking usque6augh and dancing
strathspey. In the first accomplishment he
was deemed proficient, it being generally
allowed that he could swallow a glass of
whiskey with great grace and adrotness at
one draught, and he was never known to
complain of the depth of the quoich or Of the
strength OF the beverage. But in the other
accomplishment he was distinguished even
in his best days more for his activity than
for his gracefulness ofigure.
But to return to our subject. Donald, af-
ter soiourn of considerable duration in the
mountains, was received by the family with
the usual degree of welcome; and knowing
that he was a particular subject of merri-
ment and the source Of goodhumor to his
mistress while under ordinary circumstan-
ces, they, without preface or explanation
ushered him into her presence.
Donald MAlpin, full of the respect due
TO his lady, pulled off his bonnet; and, bow
ing his body into an angle of forty-live de-
grees, accosted her with the usual sauta-
ton. The apparation of Donald was so in
Simultaneous aud unexpected as TO throw her
off her "centre of gravitation" The pen
duLum and the click were both for time
suspended, aud new idea struck the mind
of the diseased lady. After moments re-
Election, in which his figure in the dance
was wildly rejecting ON her Imagination,
she spang to her feet, g. after having locked
prevent the iSh or entry of any of the inmates
Of the house into the room, she instantly
challenged him to a competition of dancing
Donald after day of hard travelling and
fatigue, and without the aid of any refresh
ment, was in no wise disposed to engage in
an undertaking which promised toll and no
pleasure; but being, as aforesaid, quite I'M
conscious of the situation of his mistress, he
thought it his interest to comply with what
he considered to be an extraordinary Ca
price on the part of the lady, and after ma
king what he conceived TO be due apologies
for the uncouthness and unftness of his APP
parel, and many Acknowledgements for the
honor intended him, he agreed to do his
best in jig, on which the lady agreed to act
the parts of both partner and musician by
humming and whistling tune known by
abe name of "The Grants Rant" Accor-
dinghy the ball commenced, and "the mirth
and fun grew fast and furious :" Donald, no
doubt, expected that there would be spec
dy end to scene Of action which he con-