The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1844-10-11
VOL. V.NO. II.
HEargniet md The Minister.
Il Scotch story not founded on fiction,
bat all q fact.
BT LAURIE TODD.


society, conrers0Sione, or dinner party.
Among the latter, from the peer to the
peasant. On one occasion | dined a,
Lord lis. There were twelve at
the table, and SIX servants, in splendid
uniform, TO wait upon them. Iput on my
best black, and went in a carriage to this
important affair. l had got few gimp.
SEES at high life previous 10 this, so that
felt some confidence in myself. The
mistress Of the feast sa. at the head of the
table, and on her right sa, young lady, {.
Miss C, at the RICH, of whom | was
seated, while The eldest daughter of The
family, fine young lady Of seventeen sat
at my right hand. So | sat between the
tWd. When | looked at the servants.
with their powdered heads and clothes of
scarlet-at the vessels Of gold and silver,
jars OF China, and platers of glass--at the
lords and ladies, the sifs and coun.s--at
the room, the seats, sofas, ottomans, and
iootstool5 which far oulshone what
had read Of Eastern luxury and splendor,
and whose gas lamps and chandeliers sent
forth blaze more brilliant than the win
ier's sum thought this was rather going
ahead of any thing of the sor, had seen,
and was afraid might make some blum
der however, was resolved to maintain
my confidence, and make myself perfectly
at home, like my worthy countryman,
Sir Andrew WYE, at a ball given by the
Duchess of Dashingwell, in the mex,
square TO the one IN which was then
paT'aking VI London hospitality. l soon
found that Miss C was a social, in
telIigent mortal, and felt myself at home
with her at once.
Miss said |, i have been at some
fine parties in Edinburgh, Glasgow, and
Liverpool, but this is carrying the Joke a
little beyond anything have before seen;
| am afraid may 90 wrong, as am some
like the old woman in Scotland, who
went 10 dine with the minister; SO, # |
bIander, you must help me along
70 this ,,,e readily consented. but
what Of the old lady in Scotland p said
she.
i have heard my father replied,
relate the story, some fifty years ago.
II happened in the parish where he lives
She was much surprised TO hear that
he, my laihcr, then lived. in The ninety
first year.
'On certain markat day, continued,
Margaret tne wife Of Il neighborng far
mcr-in addition to her load of hens.
geese, &c.-brought small basket Of
eggs as present to the minister. Having
sold of her load Of sundries, size wends
her way 10 the parsonage. After inqui-
ring how he, the wife, and diO the barns
did, she says
~ bac brought YOU tara or three fresh
eggs for the gude wife, to help in making
her yoM JGrockS' Christmas cakes.
The eggs were kindly received.-and
ii being dinner hour, she was invited TO
stop and take her kali Soup
- Nay, nay, says Margaret, Il dinna
ken hu to behave at great folks tables
''Oh, never mind said The minister,
Just Go as yOu see we DO
Margaret was finally persuaded, and
) sat down at the table. 1t so happened
that the minister was old and well s,rick-
: en- with age, and had, with all, received
a stroke Of the palsy, SO that, in convey
, ing the spoon from the dish 10 his lips
} the arm being unsteady, the soup was apt
10 spill; therefore, to prevent damage be-
: falling his clothes, it was his custom TO
laslen one end Of the table cloth TO the top
: of his waislcoat, Just under his chin.
! Margaret, who sat at the opposite corner
/ of the table, watching his motions, pinned
. the other end of the table cloth TO a strong
homespun shawl under her chin. She
5 was attentive 10 every move. The minis
j ter deposited quanllry of mustard on the
. edge Of his plate, and Margaret not ob.
serving this fUgal exactly, carried the
. spoon TO her mouth. The mustard soon
: began TO operate on the oliac,ory nerve.
! She had never seen mustard before, and
/ did not know what ii meant. She tho
she was hewilched. To expeetorate on
the carpet Scad be sin, She was almost
crazy with pain. just at this momen, The
Y girl coming in with some clean plates
d opened the door near which Margaret sat.
e Margaret at once sprang for the door, up.
i Sc, the girl. plates and all, and swept the
c table of all its contents, the crash of which
{ added speed 10 her flight. Making two
!. steps a, once in descending the stairs, the
i minister, being fast at the Other end Of the
table cloth, was compelled TO follow as
fast as hls tol'ering liabs could move, -
IL iln hall ~ ,ha hanistors mill tho nine