The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-08-14


that morning to Mary Duthie's mother,
whom she had known when they were
/ girls together, 10 ask some particulars
of Peters family and antecedents, as
her niece and adopted daughter, Mary
Hine, was soon to be married to him.
Heard ye ever the like o. that" ex-
claime.l Jeanie; ''the man must be
clean daft!''
quite agreed with her, for I had
never known a man before who was
engaged to three women at once.
Doubtless, Peter considered his first
two affairs as mere firtations; still his
former sweethearts had in their posses
sion letter and a pledge which would
be evidence against him in 4 court law.
But any proceedings of this kind was
so foreign to the natures and preiudices
of the injured girls, that did no more
than hint at it.
The following morning, Mary
asked my permission to go for a day
or two to Aberdeen with Jeanie Saun-
derson, as they had thought of plan
for bringing their recalcitrant lover to
his senses.
"Gin we dinna' max Peter make
shame to himself, my names no Jeanie
Saunderson, were the parting words
of that damsel.
Meanwhile Peter was happy in the
society of his QatesD betrothed, who
was very charming girl; and it may
be little to my hero's excuse to re-
mark that few men could have seen her
bonny face and listened to her sweet
voice evening after evening without
falling in love with her. The suscepti-
BILE Peter certainly could not, but throw
ing all old memories to the winds, pro-
posed and was accepted.
Such being the state of affairs, Peter s
feelings may be imagined when, on
entering Mrs. Birket's parlor one even
ing, after his days work was over, he
saw seated by Mary Hine-Mary Duthie
and Jeanie Saunderson.
Peters first impulse was to withdraw
hastily, but Mrs: Birket made flight i'm
possible by closing the door, and stand
inc between it and the conscience
stricken youth. "Just TAX a seat, Mr..
Mackey," said she, and the cul prit sank
into an empty chair, placed at little
distance from the other three ladies.
The situation was awkward in the ex-
treme. The ladies continued their
knitting without glancing at him; min
ute after minute passed, and the silence
became intolerable. Peter could hear
the beating of his own heart; twice he
opened his lips to speak, but no sound
issued from them; an icy tremor ran
through his frame, and checked his ut
terance.
| give what follows verbatim, as re-
ported to me by Mary Duthie.
''Weel," said Jeanie Saunderson, at
last, s'sanna we be Sattlin' oor bizness
eenoo?"
"Aye, lassies," said Mary Hine, "but
that'll be haird matter, or I'm muckle
mista'en"
"Ye see," said Jeanie. taking the
initiative, ''this Peter Mackey belongsin
a manner till's a. Ist ma sae?"
"Aye, but we Gamma a hae him."
"Just that. moo fat think We
lassies? Sanna we appeal till the law
courtS?"
''Mithna we jist set a RIGHT amc'
oorsels?" said Mary Hine. "Foo giD
we wus till cast lots for him? We've
the warrant of Scripter for that, ye
KEN"
"Vera gweed," replied the others.
and when Mrs. Birket had volunteered
herself as one witness, the little servant
girl, Baubie, was ben to be another.
Peters humiliation was certainly to be
complete!
The lot fell on Mary Duthie.
''Peter Mackey," said she, "I haze
anither string till my bow, so PH cen
leave we till Mary Hine or Jeanie;
they're maybe wuntin' We mair nor me.
But mony thanks t. We for yer kind
offer, which ha' e ma forgotten
Peter was too much subdued to Offer
a word in bis own defence, and the pro-
ceedingS were renewed.
This time the lot fell to Mary Hine
Peter" she said, II Wilma cast up
till We hoo We ha'e wronged me an
ithers. But this l maun say, bad
lovers no like to max a gweed hus-
ban. so I'll leave ye to Jeanie, if she's
carin' to tax ye."
..Weel, Patie," said Jeanie, 'gin
abody refeeses We l maun cen haze We
mvser. But it's on twa condeetions,
min ve First that we'll be marriet
this day month, an second that there'll
be nae mair o these ongaens aite,
marriage"
The wedding took place in due course
and Peter proved to be most devoted
and obedient husband. "Ye see, Mary
oman" said Jeanie one day to Mrs
Jem Leslie formerly Mary Duthie.)
''gin the gweed man and turn whiles
bit camsteary an' oonrizzOnable, haze
but till say till him: 'Weel, Patie. my
man. it's sair peety that Mary Duthie
an Mary Hine refeest We, sim the wife
ye' haze gotten diSna' suit We, an weel-
await or ever the words are weel owre
my lips, he's jist as quaet's lamb. -
4rgoSy.
Unnatural Natural History.