The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1869-05-29

ring the preceding three months; but he
could come to no conclusion that could re-
coucie all the strange things he had expe-
rienced with any supposition based on natu-
raj powers. 1t was certain, however, that
be was still upon the earth, and IL was prob
able be was now beyond the b1wer Of his
evil genius. His best plan, therefore, under
all the circumstances, was TO seek home, and
Lady Durie aud his loving family, who
would, doubtless, be in a terrible condition
on account Of his long absence; and even
thus idea, pleasant as it was, was qualified
by the fear that he might, for aught he
knew, have been away, like the laird Of
Comrie, for many, perhaps hundred years,
and neither Lady Durie, nCr friend or ac-
quaintance, would be alive to greet him on
his return. OF all this, however, he must
now take his chance; and, rising and jour
neying forward, he came to o house, where
be asked for some refreshment by way Of
charity, for be had nothing in the world to
pay for what he required. He was fortu-
nate in getting some relief from the kind
woman to whom he had applied, and pro-
ceeded TO speak to her on various topics
with great sense propriety, as became
the ex President OF the Court Of Session
but when, to satisfy his scruples, he asked
her the day Of the month, then the month Of
the year, and then the year Of the Lord, the
good woman was satisfied he was mad; and,
with look OF pity, recommended him to
proceed on his way, and get home as fast as
he could
So, on the president went, begging his way
from hamlet to hamlet, getting aims from
one and news from another, but never graf
i6ed with the year Of the Lord In which he
lived; for, when he put that question, he was
uniformly pitied, and allowed to proceed on
his way for madman. He heard, however,
several times, that President Durie had b zen
drowned in the Firth Of Forth, and that a
new President of the Court of Session had
been appointed in his place. Whether his
wife was married again or not, he could not
learn, and was obliged to wrestle with this
and other fears as he still continued his way
to the metropolis. At last Edinburgh came
IN view, and glad was he to see again the
cats head Of old St Arthur's and the d.
dem Of st. Giles rearing their heights n the
distance. Nearer and nearer he approached
the place Of hIs home, happiness and digni
ty; but, as he came nearer still, he began to
feel all the effects Of his supposed demise.
Several Of his old acquaintances stared wild
ly at him as they passed, and, though he
beckOned to them n stand and speak, they
hurried on, and seemed either not to recOg-
nize him, OF to be terrified at him. At las;
ne met Lord F., the judge who had sat
for many years next to him on the bench
aud, running up to him, he held out his hand
in kindly saIutation, grinning, with bis long
thin jaws and pallid cheeks-a greeting
which be scarcely understood himself BY
this time ahant fbn w1namtpy MI !
such was the extraordinary effect produced
DO his sudden appearance and cadaverols
look, hat bis old brother of the bench got
alarmed, and fairy took to his heels, as il
he had seen a spectre. Undaunted, how
ever, be P1Shed on, and, by the tune hc
reached the Canongate, il was almost dark
he went direct 70 his own house, and, peep
ing through the window, saw Lady Durie
sitting by the fire dressed in weeds, and
several Of mis- children around, arraved in
the same style. The sight brought the tears
OF JOY to his heart, aud, forgetting entirely
the effect his appearance would produce, he
threw open the door, ard rushed into the
Toom. A loud scream from the throats Ct
the lady and the children rang through the
whole house, and brought up the ser wants,
who screamed in their turn, and some Of
VI.
one had any idea that the emaciated, hag-
gard being before them was other than the
grim ghost of Lord President Durie, come
from the other world to terrify the people of
this. The confusion, however, soon ceased;
for Durie began to speak softly to them,
and, taking hls dear lady in his arms, press
ed her to his bosom in a way that satisfied
her that be was no ghost, but her own lord,
who, by some mischSnce, had been spirited
away BY some bad angels The c- iren
gradually recovered their c0nii ience, and in
a short time joy took the place Of fear, and
all the neighborhOod was led with the news
that Lord Durie had come alive again, and
was in the living body 10 his own house.
Shortly after, the good lord sat down BY the
tire and got his supper, AID, by the quantity
he ate, satisfied his lady and family still
more that he carried a good body, with a.
fair capabihty Of reception as he ever ex-
hibted after walk az the F.gglte Wins.
lie told them all he had undergone since
first be was carried away, not forgetting the
two spirits, Bitty and Maudge, that hal tor
mented bin so cruelty during the period Of
his enchantment. The lady and family
stared with opensmouths as they heard the
drea iful recital; but goodly potaton of
warm spiced wine drove of the yapors pro-
duced by the dismal story, and, by-and-by,
Lord Durie and bis wife retired TO bed
the one weary and exhausted with Ia
trials, and tue other with her terrors and her
Joys.