The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1869-02-20
TALES OF THE BORD EaS
THE MOUNTAIN STORM.
RI kLExANrKR cANPBELL.

e
AZ AlExASrER CAMPBELL.
PAcKMAH Ioqaitur. For several days th,
wind had been easterly, with an intens
frost AT last, however, the weather sub
sided into calm and log, under which, q
midday, il was difficult TO find ones way
among those mountain tracks along which
in general, my route lay. The grass anc
heath were absolutely loaded with hoar
frost. Ny cheeks became encompassed BY
powdered covering; my breath was in
tensely visible, and tioated and fingered
about my face win an oppressive and almost
snffocsting density. No sun, moon, or star
had appeared Tor upwards Of forty eight
hours when, according to my preconcerted
plan, reached the farm town Of Burnio0t
was now in the centre Of Queensberry
Hills, the most notable sheep-pastursge 10
the south of Scotland. It was about three
0 clock Of the fifteenth day Of January, when,
under a cheerful welcome from the guidwIfe.
rested my pack, (Gor, be il known, | be-
long to this class Of perpatetic merchants)
upon the meal ark, diseDgaged my arms
from the leather straps by which the pack
was suspended from my shoulders, and pro-
ceeded TO light my pipe at the blazing peat
fire. Refreshments, such as are best suited
TO the pacAman's dr0uth, were soon and
amply supplied, and had the happiness OF
seeing my Old acquaintanoes (for | visited
Burnfoot twice a year, on my going and
coming from Glasgow TO Manchester) drop
IN from their several avocations, one after
another, and all truly rejoiced TO behold my
face, and still more delighted 70 inspect the
treasure and the wonders OF ''the pack.
At last the guidman himself suspended
bis plaid IRON the id.door head, put off his
shoes and leggings, assumed his slippers,
along with bis preseriPuve at the head or
upper end Of the iang-settle. The guldwife,
returning butt from bedding the youngest Of
some baii-score Of children, welcomed her
her husband With look Of the most genuine
affection. She put little creepie stool un-
der his feet, felt that his clothes were not wet,
cole ded the dogs 70 a respectful distance,
ana INSPIRED the peats into double blaze
The eldest daughter, now "woman grown"
sat combing the hoar-frost from her raven
locks, and looking out from beneath beauti-
fully arched and bushy eyebrows upon the
interesting addition which had been made to
lads and lasses occupied the bench ayont the
fire, o'ea.canopied by sheepskins, aprons,
stockings, ana footless hose. The dogs, af-
ter various and somewust noisy differences
had been adjusted, fell into order and posi-
ton around the hearth, injoyiug theswarmth,
and licking, peacefully and carefully, the wet
from their sides. The cat, by this time, had
made returning motion from the cupboard
head, from when she had been watching the
arrangements and movements beneath. Az
this appeared to " Help' to be an Infringe
ment of the terms Of armistIce and Of the
frontier laws, he sprung with eagerness over
the hearth. Pussy finding it dangerous,
under this sudden and somewhat unexpected
movement, "dare terga," instantly drew
up her whole body into an attitude not only
OF defence, but defiance cuIving herself into
bristllng crescent, with the head Of q
dragon attached 70 it, and with one horrid
hiss ano sputter, compelled Help first to
hesitate and then TO retreat.
Three PAGES back the youth retired,
and saved himself from Larm."
The guild wife, however,-who seemed not
unaccustomed 70 such DEMONSTRATORS, and
who manitestly acted on the human prInci
pie Of assisting the weaker by assailing the
stronger combatant-gave Ii elp such demon.
strations Of her intentions, as st once re
duced matters 10 the status quo ante bsLLatDs
(I have as good right to scholarship as my
brother psckman, Plato, who carried oil tC
Egypt) Thus peace and good order being
restored, the treasures Of NY burden be-
came an immediate and a universal subject
e X IaA htuer ix.af b
to unstrap my various packages, and dis
close % view all the varied treasures of tn,
spindle and loom. Shawls were spread ou
N enormous display, with central and cor
ner, and border ornaments, the most amsz
ing and the most fashionable waistcoa
pieces OF every stripe anl figure from th,
straight line TO the circle. Of every hue anC
coloring which the rainbow exhibits, wer,
unfolded in the presence and under th'
4 scrutinizing thumb Of many purcha ers Thi
guidwife herself half coaxed and hal
scolded fine remnant of Flander,
lace, Of most tempting aspect, cut Of th,
| guidman's reluctant pocket The very dog
seemed anxious to be accommodated, ant
applied their noses to some unopened bales
with a knowing look Of inquiry. Thing
were proceeding in this manner, when th
door opened, and there entered young mat
Of the most preposseSsing appearances; i
fact, what Burns terms "strapping youth.
| could observe that, &c his entrance, th
daughters eye (of whom | have formerl
made mention) Immediately k.a6.ed into al
expression Of the most universal kindnes
and benevolence. Hitherto she had take
but II nited interest In what was going on
but now she became the most prominen
figure in The group-whilst TIE mothe
busted chair for the welcome strange wit
her apron, and the guidman welcomed hir
with a.
"Come ava, Willie Wilson, an tax sea
The NIGHTS gay dark an dreary. | wonde
bow ye cleared the Whitstane Cleugh an
the Side Scaur, man, on sic an eerie nicht.
Indeed" responded the stranger, eastia
q look, IN the meantime, towards che guid
mans buxom. aud, indeed. lovely dauehts
--"indeed, It's nm nnco fearfu' uicht--sic
mist and sic eauld Lac seldom If eve
encountered; but / dinna ken hoo il was-
conlda resi- at hame dll had tellt We
the news o the last Langhom MARKET.
SAY, Ay,s interrupted the guidwife ssth
last LAnEhom market. man; ia en- auld tnl
nooy trow. Ma, nas yer mithsr,s sor camn
here ON sick night, and 1t &c an hour, 0