The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1871-05-27
TALES OF THE BORDERS.
THE MONK OF ST ANTHONY.
BY ALEXANDER CAMPBELL.

cOSrNUEp.
At this moment, Davit's somewhat dis
jointed, though pertinent enough reflection.
were interrupted by the entrance of some
one 10 the apartment.
The intruder, whoever he was, came in
on tiptoe, az if fearful of disturbing the
occupant Of the apartment; and, on ap
preaching the bed, peered cautiously into
it, 70 see whether he was awake.
David, without saying word, stared al
the person who appeared to be serving
man or cook, from his wearing blue vel
vet cap on bis head-the usual head-dress
of such persons in those times, and his
bearing steaming silver posset dish in
ana hard
DAVID, a. we have said, stared at the
man, without saving a word-a line OF pro
~ ahaulo0 iras.1OIosA y! !. as-9 a. 80 4 :; s.s
= = ~. q cue By which to guide h.mseli
10 lie inpehding cplioquy,
Seeing that the palent was awake, the
maa, bowing respectfully. sad
II trust, holy father, find you better.
Here is posset which has teen prepared
for you by The directions of our leech,
worthy DIR. Whang O. the Cowgate Head
which you will be so good as take"
My man" SAID David, without either
accepting or refusing the proffered posset,
Il m misdoubtin that there's sad mistak
in this business thegither. Howsomever,
let that flee stick to the wa for the pres
ent Can ye tell me whar am, and hoo
| cam here 2"
Most assuredly, holy father You are
JUS now in the house, and under the pro-
lection and guardianship Of Lady Wisher-
crton, of Wlsherton Mains, whose house is
situated about two hundred yards south Of
the Kirk Of Field. As to the manner Of
your coming here, holy father, it was this :
Her ladyship's son, Lord Boggyland,
coming up Leith Wynd last night, found
you 10 the midst Of a crowd Of sacrilegious
rutf'ans, who we're numbering you, ,and who
had already, by their brutal treatment, de-
prlved you Of all consciousness. Seeing
this, bis lordship, who, as all his family
his good and plous mother included-are
staunch adherents of the old religion, in
stantly interfered in your behalf, and had
you conveyed to bis mothers house, where,
as have already said, you are at the pres
ent moment"
"Cmph," muttered David 'Is thai
the OF. Then, fancy, I'm just oot o
the fryin-pan into the fire "
The serving man not perceiviug the ap-
pllcablhty of the remark, although some
what surprised at it, made no reply, but
again pressed the posset on the suffering
martyr.
"Weel, weel, let's sect then" said Da-
vrd, raising himself up in the bed. There
can be nee great harm in that, | fancy
IL IL no max things muckle waur than they
are. Is't onthing tasty"
His attendant assured him that be would
ind It very pleasant, being made by her
ladyshIPs own hands, who long enjoyed a
bigh reputation for mai ufacturing possets
and comtits Of all sorts.
Having raised the lid Of the posset dish,
and favored its contents, David pronounced
It "savoury;" when, taking spoon in hand,
he cleared out the vessel in twinkling.
"A gusty mouthfu' that" said mine
host of ''The Ship" throwing himself lux
urlously back on bis pillow, although !
think it wadna been the waur O wee hair
mair brandy int"
The serving-man having done his errand
now left the room, retiring with the same
careful step and respectful manner with
which be had entered, and left David once
more to his own reflections.
. In these, however, he was permitted bu
a very short indulgence. His attendant
bad not been gone five minutes, when the
door Of the apartment was again gently
opened, and an elderly lady, of tall anc
majestic form, arrayed in a close fitting
dress of black velvet, with gold chair
round her neck, from which was suspend
ed large diamond cross, entered the sicI
mans chamber. 1t was Lady WishertoI
herself Approaching, with stately step
but with look Of tender concern, the bet
on which her patient lay
"It rejoices me much, holy father" sh'
said, ''to learn, from our good and faithful
servltor, William Binkie, that your rever
ence begins to feel some symptoms Q
amendment"
"Ou, thank ye, mem, thank ye," re
piled David, with no small trepidatlon 70
the dignifed and stately appearance Of hi
visitor had sadly appalled, him. 81 fu
mysel hauntle better thanks to your ledy
! ships kindness-takin' ye to be Lsdd