Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1881-05-09
RecOlIectiOnS of a High
land Census.


in Highland parish and in the win
ter evenings, Peter NJ M'Lauchlin used to
be often at our house. Peter was
kind of local monarch in his way, and
our parish was the kingdom over which
he reigned with undlsputed sovereignty.
He combined in his particular person
variety of ofices-approzimated indeed
to Mrs. Malaprop's Cerebus, "ten gen.
tlemen rolled into one - for he was
school-master, session-clerk, inspector of
poor, land measurer; was present at all
sales, marriages, and funerals f; and in
deed on all important occasions Peter
was chief man. This was thirty years
ago but l remember him we'll: and
the census of 1881 brings one or two of
his stories to my recollection.
When the census came to be taken in
1861, Peter, Of course, was intrusted
with the work to be done in our parish.
Although its inhabitants were widely
scattered, many families living in lone
ly glens and far apart, Peter knew them
all, and therefore he was the fttest
man possible in the circumstances for
the Office On the evening of that
memorable day, as can still re member
Peter paid US visit. He knew my
mother was hospitable, and he was fond
of chat with my father, and he liked
his supper at our freside. He was full
of stories about the census papers; and
having got hearty supper, he began
by telling us the story of what he call
ed "Old Ronaldson's Madness" He
began:
The first difficulty | experienced to-
day was with Old Ronaldson. He was
always little queer, as old bachelors
often are. Yesterday, as I left the
census paper with him, he held the door
in one hand while he took the paper
from me with the other. | said | would
call again for the paper. "Ye needn't
trouble yourself - said he in very i'll
natured tone. "I'll not be bothered
with your papers" However, did not
mind him much for | thought when
he discovered that the paper had moth
ing to do with taxes, he would feel
more comfortable, and that he would fill
it up properly.
The only person whom Old Ronald
son allows near him is Mrs. Birnie; she
goes and puts his house in order and ar
ranges his washing; for Ronaldson, you
, know, is an old soldier; and although
; he has temper, he is perfect in his
5 dress, and most orderly in all his house
hold arrangements When Mrs. Birnie
went in her usual way to his house this
morning, the old gentleman was up and
dressed; but he was IN terrible tenn
per, furried and greatly agitated.
, Good morning, sir, said Mrs. Birnie
2 i had the particular words from hel
own lips-'Good-morning," said she
but Old Ronaldson, who was as a rule
3 extremely polite to her, did not on this
t occasion reply. His agitation increas'
ed. He fumbled in his pockets; pull
, ed out and in all the drawers of hi;
: desk turned the contents of an ole
/, chest out on the foor-all the time ac
companying his search with muttereC
. imprecations, which at length broke ou
: into perfect storm.
g Mrs. Birnie had often seen Mr.. Ron
q aldson excited before, but she had neve
t seen him in a state like this. At length
$ he approached an old bookcase, and af
ter looking earnestly about and behint
ii it. he suddenly seized and pulled i
y towards him, when lot of old paper
f. fell on the floor, and perfect cloud o
d dust filled the room. Mrs. Birnie stoot
r dumfounded. At length the old gen
It tleman, covered with dust, and perspir
II ing with his violent exertions sat dow
on the corner of his bed, and in mos
II wretched tone of voice said: "Oh, Mrs
A Birnie, don't be alarmed, but I've los
is my senses!''
q 81 was just thinking as much my
e SELF" said Mrs. Birnie; and off she ra
to my house at the top of her speed
= "Oh, Mr. M'Lauchlin," said she, 'com
r immediately-come this very minute
8 for Old Ronaldson's clean mad. He
IS tearing his hair, and curslng in mar
1T ner most awful to hear; and worse tina
a that-he's begun to tear down the hous
. himself. o sir, come Immediately, an
" get him put in straight jacket.
id Of course | at once sent for old D
lie Macnab, and asked him to fetch ce
at ti6cate for an insane person with hin
le Now. old DR.. Macnab is a cautious an
- " sensible man. His bald head and 81
w very hairs, his beautiful white nee
". cloth and shiny black coat, not
Sc speak of his silver headed cane and di
re nifed manner, all combine to make o,
doctor an authority in the parish. "a
e. ay," said the good doctor, when he m
II me; 81 always feared the worst abo
" Mr.. Ronaldson. Not good for man
ng be alone. Sir, always advised him
N. Nc take wife. Never would take my a