, 1858-12-10
MY LANDLADY,s STORY.

Mrs. Grove, in her work entitled the "Night
side Of Nature" makes allusion to the facts upon
which the following little story is founded; but,
strange, she docs not give the details. II was a
case strikingly in point for her. Was it too hOr.
rible to put in her book; Or was she restrained
by the same delicacy that made every marvel
mOngcr speak of it in a whisper?
1t was told to Inc, in Edinburg, by my land
lady, Mrs. s.. She was from Montrose, and
spoke in well-marked GAELIC idiom, that greatly
enhanced her descriptive power Itis remark.
able fact, that no language is so well adapted to
the thrilling, the pathetic, and the humorous, as
the dialect Of the Scottish Highlander. Sir Wal
ter Scott owes much Of his success to it, and the
lyrics Of Burns would be comparatively insipid
without it. Ircmcmber once hearing Mrs. s.
JEST with her husband about some nonsense he
perpetrated in his courtship. She was SO much
amused at il, that she fell back in her chair and
exclaimed, al Gamma think o it, but it makes
me Almost splut me seeds laching." The same
expression in plain English, al cannot think of
it, but it almost makes me split my sides a
laughing" is utterly tame by the side Of the
other. Mrs s., moreover, had manner
which made her narration wildly impressive.
1t was in the evening twilight and we were
watching from the parlOr window the Inchkeith
light in the Firth of Forth, throwing out its
flashes Of warning to the mariner forget
what drew from Mrs. S. the awful recital, the
interest Of which l have fcebly attempted to
maintain, BY drawing upon my fancy for some
slight amphfcation; but she began in substance
as follows, occasionally tapping me upon my
shoulder and reducing her voice to kissing
whisper:
It is scarcely year ago since young man
died in the town Of HaddiAgton. His conduct
had been so outragcously dissOlutc, that every.
body repulsed him with adherence. Finally he
sank down in halEstarved condition, at the
door Of his uncle, an old blacksmith Of Hadding-
ton, and was kindly taken in and cared for.
Everything was done for him that even affection
could suggest; but he grew worse and worse,
until he went into deliriun,, and uttered things
Of such frightful import that few persons could
remain near him. There were certain express
sions which excited more astonishment than
others-indeed they drew tears from those who
heard them as well on account Of the earnest
ness with which they were uttered, as the dis
tracted gesticulations accompanying them. He
seemed to stare at some very distant Object--dis.
tant as q fixed star; and, with his outstretchcd
hands thrust forward as If to resist the rapid
approach Of something, hO shouted in voice
bubbling up through his death.rattle, "Back !!
back !-awa' wi ye! 1t is ma sac written; |
am not to be bruised. No, no, mol 1t is writ
ten that the seed Of the woman shall bruise--
ava wi ye-meTcy! oh hmercy, mercy, mercy~
These rawlings OF last ended in death.
It is the custom in Scotland to sit up three
nights with the dead The corpse Of Andrew
Allan 0for that was the young mans nance was
placed upstairs in back room. 1t rested upon
rude table, consisting Of four small benches,
supporting two boards. II was wrapped in a
sheet and two halfcrown pieces were placed
upon the eyes to keep them closed. The black.
smiths house was built urcn very simple RI n.