The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-12-30
The SutOr OfSelkirk.

Inc SutOr OF SelkiTk.
Once upon Il time there lived in Selsirk a
shoemaker, by the name Of Rabblc Heck
spcckle, who was celebrated both for dcx-
terity in his trade, and for some other quail
ilication Of q less profitable nature. Rab-
bic was thin, mcagrelooking parsonage,
with lank black hair, a caduvcrous countcn-
ance, and long, flexible, secret smelling
nose. In short, he was the Paul Pry of the
town. Not an old wife in the parish could
bay new scarlet rokclay without Rubbie
knowing exactly within groat of the cost
the doctor could not dine with the minister
butRabbic conldtell. whether sheep 's-hcad o,
haggis formed the staple commodity Of the
rcpast; and it was even said that he was
acquainted with the grunt of every sow,
and the cacklc of every individual hen, in
his neighborhood; but this wants contirnla-
tion His wife, Bridget, cndcavorcd to
coHlnc his cxcursivc fancy, and to chain
him down to his awl, reminding him il was
all they had to depend on; but her inter-
ference met with exactly that degree of at
tention which husbands usually bcsow on
the advice rendered by their better halves
that il, Rabbie informed her that she
knew nothing of the matter, that her under
standing required stretching, and finally
that 8 she presumed to mcddlc in his affairs,
he would be under the disagrccablc ncccs-
sity of giving her u top-drcssing.
TO secure the necessary leisure for his
researches, Rabbic was in the habit Of rls-
ing to his work long before the dawn; and
he was one morning buisy engaged putting
the finishing stitches to a pair of shoes for
the cXciscman, when the door of his dwell
tnD ,ph;pl, h, Fall, &,
ed, was suddenly opened. and Il tall figure,
cnvoopcd in large black cloak, and with
Il broadbrimmcd hat drawn over his brows,
stalked into the shop. Rubbic started at
his visitor, wondering what could have oc-
casoncd this early call, and wondering still
more that stranger should have arrived in
the town without his knowledge.
"4ou'rc early afoot, sir, quoth Rabbic.
''Lucky Wakcritc's cock will no craw for
good half hour yet"
The stranger vouchsafcd no reply; but
taking up one of the shoes Rabbie had Just
finished, deliberately put il on, and took Al
turn through the room to ascertain that it
did not pinch his cXtrcmitics. During these
operations Rabbic kept Il watchful eye on
his customer.
''Ic smells awfully o yird," muttcrcd
Rabbic to himself; zane would he ready to
swear he had just cam frac the plougl,-tail
The stranger, who appeared to be satisfied
with the effect Of the experiment, montion-
ed by Rabbic for the other shoe, and pulled
out a purse for the purpose Of paying for
his purchase; but Rabbic's surprise may be
conceived, when, on looking ut the purse,
he perceived ii to be spotted with a kind Of
earthly mould.
"Gudcsakc, Thought Rabbic, ''thisouecr
iY,on hoo VIII fl,ot
ground. / wonder where he got il. Some
folks say there are bags O sillcr buried near
this town."
BY this time the stranger had opened tho
purse and as he did SO, toad and beetle
fell on the ground, and large worm crawl
ing out wound itself round his finger. Rab-
bic's eyes wldcncd; but the stranger with an
air Of nochalancc, rendered him piece Of
gold, and made signs for the other shoe.
''It's thing morally impossbly," re-
spondcd Rabbic to this mute proposal.
'NIair by token, that hac asgood as sworn
TO the eXcscman to hac themrcady by day
light, which will be no long Il coming" 0hc
stranger here looked anxiOusly toward the
window; "and better, tell you, to afront
the king himself than the cXciscman."
The stranger gave q loud stamp with his
shod foot, but Rabbic stuck to his point, Of
fering, however,, to have pair ready for
his new customer in twcnty-four hours {;
and, as the stranger, justly enough perhaps,
reasoned that half a pair of shoes was of
rs little use as half a pair Of scissors, he
found himself obliged to come to terms, and
seating himself on Rabblc's three-legged
stool, held out his leg to the sutor, who,
knecling down, took the foot of his taciturn
customer on his knee, and proceeded to
measure 1t.
''Somcthing O. the splay, think, SIR"
said Rabbie, with a knowing air.
No answer
"Whcre will l bring the slloon to when
they're done7" asked Rabbic, anxious to
find out the domicilc Of his visitor.
II will call for them myself before cock
growing" responded the stranger In very
uncommon and indescrblc tone of voice.
'Hout, sir" quoth RabbIc, 81 Gamma let
you hae the trouble o coming for them your
sci; 1t will just be q pleasure for me to call
with them at your house."
81 have my doubts of that" replied tho
stranger, in the same peculiar manner and
at all events, my house would not hold us
both.
lit maun be Il dooms sma' bggin," an
swercd Rabbie; "but moo that hac ta'cn
your llonour's measurc-----" ''
''Takc your owni" rctorcd the stranger;
and giving Rabbic's touch with his foot
TINT laid him PROSTATE, walked cody out OF
the house. n& lt btaiuataH6g 3YG ~
This sudden overturn of himself and his
Dlana for n few I, omcnta diacomfltcd tho