The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1883-07-19

nus, come
A burst of derisive laughter greet
ed this eXtravagant Statement, and
one Of the younger members of the
group suggested that it was "whaups"
(curlews) as the original Of Mansie's
birds of paradise.
'Whaups, indeed!' snorted that in
dividual. Il tell you they vere the
birds O paradise. It's no the first
time I've heard them" And Mansie
IN high dudgeon at the scepticism of
his auditors, proceeded to secure his
four-footed friends in their respective
sacks-which, with the boat, had
drifted ashore-and once more en-
arked on his homeward voyage.
Very different from Sandy Macin-
tosh and Mansie Of Queenamuckle.
was Shambling Willie. A Shetlander
by birth, Willie lived some fifty years
ago near the town Of Lerwick. Of
respectable parentage, he had receiv-
ed fair education, loved reading, and
was always to be seen with head very
much on one side, shuffiing along the
streets Of his native town carrying
three or four Of his favorite authors
secured by strap. Willie's eccentric
tiles were rather trying to his neigh
bors. He was in the habit of enter
ing their houses surreptitiously, and
made nothing of pouncing on any
thing eatable and carrying it off. A
favorite time for such raids was New
Years day, as he was sure to secure
something particularly savory at that
festive season. He had fine nose
for the good things Of this life,
though he wasn't extra particular
whether the viands were underdone
or overdone.
One New Years day, when prowl-
ing in the vicinity of Lerwick gen.
tleman's house, he was attracted by
the odor of roast goose. Now, Willie
fairly dotted on roast goose, so he i'm
mediately began revolving in his
mind ways and means Of securing the
object of his desire. Stationing him
self near the kitchen window, he had
the pleasure Of observing the noble
bird slowly turning on the spit, ten
derby basted by a buxom old dame,
whose soul was evidently in her task
From his coign of vantage our friend
could perceive the exits and entrances
of the cook, who fitted to and fro,
but never absented herself long
enough from the kitchen to permit
of Willie carrying out his intentions.
Patience, however, had its reward at
last. The dining-room bell rang, and
the old dame vanished. Willie's op-
portunity had come. Dashing into
the kithen, he seized the goose, and
made off with it. But he was hardly
a hundred yards from the house,
when the cook returned, discovered
the theft, and catching sight Of our
friend from the window, started in
hot pursuit. Willie, however, had no
idea of relinquishing the prize, so he
put his best foot foremost, and made
for the Nab-a high rock some little
distance from Lerwick. Gnawing g
the goose as he ran, he occasionally
turned round to shake it insultingly
in his pursuers face, whom he invit-
ed to catch him if she could Cook
was asthmatic; morever, she foolishly
spent her breath in calling the mar
auder all manner of uncomplimentary
names; consequently, she lost ground,
while Willie gained it. Still, she
kept up the chase, goaded to unusual
energy by the heart-rending spectt c,e
of the impending destruction of her
masters dinner. At length Willie
reached the Nab; farther he could
not 90 unless he took header into
the sea. Cook came putting along,
vengeance in her eyes; but just as she
thought she had the thief in her
grasp. he eluded her, tossed the re-
mains of the goose over the cliff,
snapped his fingers in the old danes S
face. and took to his heels, chuckling
eleefully. He had circumvented
Madam Cook, secured a good dinner,
and was triumphant.
Shambling Willie had yet another
adventure at the Nab which is worth
relating. A West Indian negro, a
professor of mesmerism, had come to
deliver a series of lectures, and on the
evening Of his arrival had gone for a
walk in the direction Of the Nab
Now. Willie had heard Of the mes
merist, and as he had never seen a
black man in his life, was exceedingly
anxious to make the professors ac-
ouaintance. With this object in view
he had been prowling round the out
skirts of the town ever since the ne
gro's arrival, and when he saw him
walking towards the Nab, started in
pursuit. The professor was for some
time unaware of Willie's approach
until he heard hurried steps behind
him; and turning round, beheld what
he believed to be an escaped lunatic
tearing after him, and shrieking in
the soueakiest of voices: stop, man
stop, or I'll be the death O ye!" Ter
ror laid hold on the mesmerist, and
he fled; but what was his horror, on
reaching the Nab, to find that unless
he Jumped over the cliff, he could not
escape his pursuer. In his dilemma
the professor thought he would try
) the effects of mesmerism on the luna.
tic. Willie was but few yards dis.
| tant. when he turned and confronted
him with folded arms and wild, rol
. ling eyes.
Our poor friend stared for mo-
ment at the negro, then, unable tC
bear his piercing glance, rushed away
} sh1ieking: Its the dell himsel; he'll
be the death O me-" The pursued
: now became the pursuer.
Willie ran. and the professor RAJ
after him. There are people still liv
ing who remember seeing our frient
and the black gathering down tn
principal street of Lerwick, and hear
ing the agoniziug cry of the former
o Its the dell himsel; he'll be tn
G death O. me-"