The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1871-09-30
TALES OF THE BORDERS.
NE ABDUCTION.
BY ALEXANDER LEIGHTON.

BY ALEXANDER LEIGHTON.
The farm of Kelpiehaugh, at q short
distance from Lessudden, was, at an early
period Of the St Boswelps meetings, oc-
cupied by Giles Ramsay man who, as
often happens in Scotland, was not 10th to
admit that !" bis grey mar vas the better
horse" He liked ME b1a1 Ahy Of II
cid ballad quoted by Shakespere, and re-
ceived il as general maxim, that "nought's
to be bad at a woman's hand" unless, in
every case, eye gle her a the plea" And,
verify, Matty did not love him the worse
for his correct notions Of woman-kind,
though, as for anything like gratitude for
bis easy submission to her entire authority,
she knew nothing Of the sentiment, if she
did not heartily despise it. The reason was
indeed PLAIN enough; for she had the capa-
city TO know that, whatever superiority ma
ture intended ber husband should possess
over her, in bis character of one of the
lords of the creation, be bad none whatever
in the capacity of her husband In this
there was secret which she communicated
to no one and that was simply.
that Giles was, in all respects, q
stupid, simple, honest eudden," and she
was one of the cleverest danes that ever
made good natured husband cry " barla-
fummil" in a matrimonial skirmish. Yet,
with all the guidwife's cleverness, she bad
not been able either to prevent Giles from
getting behind with bis rent-tbe more BY
token as, We fancy, that Kelpiehaugh was
too dear-or to get -" the glsikit bizzy,"
Mary, her daughter, well buckled to canuy
LAIRD, who might help them to pay up their
arrears. Pie frs, was clearly no marvel !;
bat the second might have been termed
somewhat Extraordinary, seeing the young
woman was as fair as Dowsabell.
Something as regarded the rest depend
sd upon the next sale Of esisse v Sc. Bos-
wells, for which honest Giles had ready
SIX as good stirks as ever graEed on green
lea and it was arranged between him and
the better partner of the matrimonial firm,
that be must get SIX pounds for every head
Of them, otherwise be might have small
chance for loves roundelay" on his re-
turn.
" 1t will max thirty-six pounds, Giles,
said Matty; and that will enable us to
pay upten pounds O. oor arrears"
And what will | get for a superplus O
pound ahead oD them n said Giles.
'The liberty to buy a new gown for
Mary" replied she, "that we may try to
get her aft at the next fair. But, if ye
sell them Tor pound less, | rede ye to
seek quieter bield for your name than
Kelpiehaugh will be on your return"
And so primed. old Giles set off With bis
six stirks to st. Boswell's. He ar. we'd at
the green, and exposed bis bestial in the
most favorable manner he could but be
found that Matty's price did not accord
with the humor of the buyers, who proba-
bly, thought proper to judge for themselves
in the question Of value. The time pass
ed, and Giles saw before him nothing but
the necessity of driving The stirks back
again to Kelgiehaugh-an operation he BY
no means relished. As be stood musing
on the apparently fOrlorn hope Of patch
over his left eye as big as tbe blind OF him
Of forging celebrity, Bhckpatch" him.
self, came up to him, and at once offered
him eight pounds ahead for bis stock. The
old farmer wondered. smiled, and accepted
The bargain was struck, and forty eight
good pounds we're instanter place in the
hands Of the seller.
Now have favor to ask Of you, good
Mr. Ramsay" saiu the buyer.
1T will be an unreasonable request /
Wilma grant to ane wha has gIen me my
ain price," replied the farmer. What
is't?''
That you will drive the cattle home to
KelPiebaugh, and keep them there at my
risk and cost till l send for them," said the
other.
Granted, and wi thanks" said the
farmer.
81 have another favor to ask" said the
other.
"As mODy's ye like, sir, if they're a O.
kind" answered the farmer, smiling.
"Out wit"
THAT you'll give me bed at KelPie-
haugh tonight" said the old man. 81
have q distance to ride, and would fain
halve the stage, by making your house q
halfway resting place.
"Of a surety, sir, replied the farmer !;
"ye'll hae the best bed and the best vict-
uals Kelplehaugh can boast O., and nae
boast after a., though Matty, / am proud
to say, kens hussy skep as weel as Ony wo.
man in a the shrradOm. Will ye gang wi
me, or come yerselfP'
i will come by myself" said the buy
er. al have some other affairs to settle
before the fair breaks up, and it may be
later than your time before 1 have finish
ed"
The matter being thus arranged, the
two parted. Giles was anxious to know
who his customer was but no one could
tell anything Of him, and The hour getting
forward to The cleaning, be set of again
for bis farm, with bis forty y-eight pounds in
bis pocket, and the cattle before him. On
bis aPProaChIng Kelpiehaugh, Matty, along
with her fair daughter, was at the door,
waiting for him. 1t was now dark but
sbe could hear bis voice in articulations
which pleased her not Hey hey yaud
yaudl' and then came the sound Of q thwack
on The backs Of The lazy troop he was driv-
ing before him
And ye've brought them back again