, 1864-02-27


posite side Of the burn, which was generally
crossed by the aid Of stepping-stones; but
on the day in question the tops Of the stones
were barely visible. On crossing the burn,
the foot of the bride slipped, and the BRIDE
groom, in his eagcrness to assist her, slipped
also---knee-deep in the water The raven
voice yves again heard--it was anDther
omen.
The kitchen was the only room in the
manse large enough to contain the spectators
assembled to witness the ceremony, which
passed over smoothly enough, save that, when
the clergyman was about to join the hands
Of the parties, / drew off the glove Of the
bride second or two before the bridesmaid
performed u similar operation on the hand
Of the bridegroom. | heard the whisper Of
the crooked old woman, and saw that the
eyes of the other women were upon me. l
felt that | had committed another omen,
and almost resolved to renouncc wearing
black for the future. The ceremony, how
ever, was concluded; we returned from the
manse, and everything was forgotten, save
mirth and music, till the hour arrived for
tea.
The brides mother had boasted Of her
"daughter's double set o real china" during
the afternoon and the female part of the
company evidently felt anxious TO examine
the costly crockery. A young woman was
entering with tray and the tea equipage--
another, similarly laden, followed behind
her. The snecE Of the door caught the
handle Of the tray, and down went china,
waiting-maid, and all! The fall startled
her companion--their feet became entangled
both embraced the floor, and the china
from both trays lay scattered around them
in thousand shapes and sizes! This was
an omen with vengeance! could not
avoid stealing a look at the sleeve Of my
black coat. The bearded old woman seemed
inspired. She declared the luck Of the house
was broken. OF the double set of real china
not cup was leit-not an odd saucer. The
bridegroom bore the misfortune as a man I;
and, gently drawing the head Of his young
partner towards him, said
"Never mind them, hinny; let them
gang; well get mair." .f' N
The bride, poor thing, shed q tear; but
thc "'hcr 'hrcM mo ann "o"Hu hOi hSOAJ
stole kiss, and she blushed and smiled. B
1t was evident, however, that every one
Of the company regarded this as real omen.
The mill-loft was prepared for the joyous
dance but scarce had the fantastic toes
(some Of them were not light ones) begun
10 move through the mazy rounds, when the
loft-hoor broke down beneath the bounding
feet OF the happy-hearted miller; for, untor-
tunately, he considered not that his goodiy
body was heavier than his spirits 1t was
omen upon omen; the work OF breaking
had begun; the luck Of the young couple
was departed. b ~ "a
Three days after the wedding, one OF the
miller's carts was got in readiness to carry
home the brides mother. On crossing the
unlucky burn, to which we have already
alluded, the horse stumbled, fell, and broke
its knee, and had to be taken back and an
other put in its place. t7'L ..saI
"Mair breakingsv exclaimed the now
almost heart-broken old woman. "Oh,
dear sake! how viii a this end for my puir
BARN"
/ remained with my ncw-found relatives
about q week; and while there. the miller
sent his boy for payment Of an account Of
thirty pounds, he having to make up money
to pay corn-factor at the Haddington mar
kct on the following day. In the evening
the-boy returned. 81 0fE9 ne ll1lii LiA
"Weel, Gallant inquired the miller,
" hae ye gotten the siller"
"No,p replied the youth. .tlfp Z
"Mercy me" exclaimed my cousin, has
tily, I" hae ye no gotten the siller? Whadid
yo see, or what did they say 2" I.
81 saw the wife," returned the boy, "an'
she said---' Siller, laddiel what's brought ye
here for sillcrg / darcsay your masters
daft. Do ye no ken were broken I'm sure
a'body kOns that we broke yesterday
" The mischief break themp exclaimed
the miller, rising and walking hmriedly
across the room; " this is breaking in earn
est
! may not here particulariSe the broakings
that followed. One misfortune succeeded
another, till the miller broke also. AL that
he had was put under the hammer, and no
wandered forth with his young wife broken
man. y as.55 3 a
Some years afterwards met with him in
different part Of the country. He had the
management Of extensive -four mills. He