The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1849-08-15
Bruce's Reformation
A SCOTCH STORY.
BY JAMES GIBSON.

BY the side OF lonely, yet bcautltul
'ly rural byc-road in Stirling yshirc, Scot
land, there stands a small, but hand
some cottage in which resides to this
day, venerable couple, who have
;trod life's weary pilgrimage together
for many years, and whose grey hairs
reflect honor on themselves and the IA,
tion in which so many samples Of gcnu-
inc goodness of heart may be found
Childlcss, but not companionlcss, had
been their lot together in life; but to
murmur at the dispcnsation Of Provi-
dence was not their desire, neither
their want, and a rich reward Of sweet
contcntmcnt had hitherto blessed their
sojourn in this vale Of tears.
Their cottage stood by the roadside,
it stood in tho centre of neat garden
plat that was slightly raised above the
level of the road, and grounds around
it; in front, the emhankmcnt was not
higher than two feet; in the rear, it
varied from five to six; besides ditch
Of considerable depth at its base, in
which coursed stream of limpid water
at all times of the year: but at the pc
Rod to which we refer, it was somewhat
swollen.
a tasteful peaked fence surrounded
t:A garden at moderate footpath' 5
breadth from the edge Of the cmbank
ment, round which any one could walk
comfortably outside the fence, without
mourning the risk of tumbling over.
A little gate opened toward the road
which was reached by a descent Of two
or three steps.
In this pretty cottage was another III
mate, drunken, worthless wight on
whom neither prcccpt or example could
over work any change; and whose in
variable rule was to get drunk every
opportunity, and get sober only through
necessity.
Hc was the brother Of the cottascr,
and everybody throughout the country
knew Jamie Grossctt he was one Of
those unaccountablc beings that every
body likes, and nobody ever gets Offend
ed at.
Jamie had listened for years to an
advice the minister Of the parish had
got up especially for Jamic's own case;
but, the imperturbablc gravity viii.
which he listened to the worthy man,
had become so annoying, from certain
hopeless appearances, that it had been
given up, and Jamie was let like a
ship without a ruddcr, to follow the
bent Of his own inclinations.
1t happened about this very particu
lar time, that a young gentleman, the
son of a very respectable family long
acquainted with the Grossctt's, was on
avisit at the cottage, and sudden in
hmacy had sprung up between Jamie
and him, to the no small annoyance Of
the cottagcrs, and various hints had
been thrown out to that effect, to warn
the stranger of what vas due to himself
and the responsibility of his parents
all Of which hints seemed only throw
away, Us Mr.. Brucc--which was the
young gentleman namc--..-did not seen
to feel it convenient to understand
them. Night after night bchcld these
two worthless set out together, but sci
dom indeed did the same night witncs.
their return; and when they did come
it was in q most lordly state Of inditlcr
cncc regarding sublimary matters.
The old cottagcrs, gricvcd to thu
heart, demonstrated in vain with youn;
Bruce; they urged thousand reason
for chance, all of which he rcadil,
admitted, but Jamie had gained s.
great an influence over the young MAJ
that, when evening came round, of the,