West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1878-04-06
Master and Man.

AS regards the relation between mas
ters and servants, the change which has
come over Scottish manners during the
past fifty yearsis especially conspicuous.
In many houses great familiarity
seems to have prevailed between mem
bers of the family and the domestics.
This state of things was often a nui-
sance; but the old servant, however
troublesome and inefficient, was so thor
oughly rooted in the households of past
days that there was scarce a possibility
of getting rid of him. We learn as
much from well-known story, of which
Dean Ramsay gives us the true rendition.
Mr.. Erskine, of Dun, had long
groaned under the impertinence of one
OF these retainers, and had almost dc
termined to bear il no longer, when
walking out with his man, upon cross
ing. field the master exclaimed,
" There's a hare" Looking at the
place, Andrew said, coolly, "What a
big lee, it's caufr" Quite angry now,
Mr.. Erskine plainly told the old domes-
TIC that they must part. But the tried
servant OF forty years, unable TO con-
ceive the possibility of his dismissal, in
nocently asked, "Aye, sir, WHARF are We
gaun? Pm sure ye are aye best at
hame." This anecdote is paralleled by
the instance of a coachman, long in the
service of a noble lady, who fairly gave
him notice TO quit, and bade him 90 mt
once. The only satisfaction she got was
the quiet answer, " Ma, ma, my lady; /
druve ye to your marriage, and / shall
stay 10 drive you to your burial" The
cool assurance with which these old do
mestics look upon themselves to protect
family interests sometimes led 10 ludi-
crous exhibitions. While Mrs. Murray.
of Abercairney, was dining at friends
house, one of the family noticed that
she was looking for the proper spoon to
help herself with salt. The old servant
Thomas, was motioned 10, but he would
not notice the appeal. IL was repeated
IN more peremptory manner "Thomas,
Mrs. Murray has not salt spoon," TO
which he replied most emphatically,
Last time Mrs. Murray dined here we
lost a salt spoon" We are told of n
Forfarshire lady, who, knowing the
habits of her old spoilt retainer, when
she wanted note to be taken without
loss of time, read it over 10 him, saying,
There, moo, Andrew, ye ken a. that's
int; moo dinna stop to open it, but Just
send it aft" We may mention, also, n
characteristic Scottish answer made To a
Marquis Of Lothian, who observed in
his walk TWO workmen very busy with n
ladder TO reach a bell, on which they
struck up anon furious ringing. What
was the object he asked, of such a din
" Ou, juist, my lord, TO ca the workmen
together" Why, how many are
there 2" asked his lordship. ooh" was
the answer, Just Sandy and me-" The
same Lord Lothian, looking about the
garden, directed his gardener attention
to a particular plum tree, charging him
to be careful of it's produce, and send in
the 'ohole Of its plums marked, az they
were Of choice kind. "Deed," said
the gardener, CPL do that, my lord
there's just hcd o. them" One more
story, 70 exhibit the ready wit observed
among Scotch servants A baby was
out with the nurse, who walked il up
and down a garden. "Is IL laddie or
a lassieP' asked the gardener. "a
laddie," said the maid " Weel," saws
he, " I'm glad o. that, for there's over
money women in the world" "Hech,
man." said jess, div ye no ken there's
aye maist sawn o. the best crap9"