Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-11-16
CHAPTER Xxx.
WEST AND EAST.

was at once shown into the editorial room,
and there he found before him a short, thick
set man with leonine pro!usion of chestnut
hair thrown back from lofty forehead,
somewhat irregular features, and clear blue
ewes that had at present something of cold
scrutiny in them. To anyone else, the
editor o. the Western Scotsman might have
appeared a somewhat commonplace looking
person; but TO Vincent he was far from COM
monplace. Here was one who had belriended
the two world wanderers; who had known
them in bygone years; perhaps Maisrie her.
self had sat, in this very room, patiently
waiting, while the two men talked. And
vet when he asked for news OF old George
Bethune and his granddaughter. Mr..
Anstruther's manner was unaccountably
reserved.
No" said he, 81 know nothing of them,
nothing whatever; but 1 can we'll under
stand that George Bethune might be in New
York, or might have passed through New
York, without calling on me"
WHY" said Vincent in surprise.
''Oh, WE'LL" said the editor, with some
touch OF asperity and even of indign alton,
az should like to believe the best OF an old
friend; and certainly George Bethune al
ways seemed to me a loyal Scot-proud of
his country-proud OF the name he bears, as
well he might; but when you find him try
ing to flch the idea OF book-trom fel-
low-countryman, too-and making use OF
the letter of introduction l gave him to
Lord Musselburgh to get money
But that can all be explained, said Vim
! l. h inn
mediate disappointment in his desire to
clear away those imputations from Maisrie's
grandfather. 1.-The money was repaid to
Lord Musselburgh as soon as 1t was found
that the American book was coming out; /
know it was-I am certain of it; and when
the volume did come out, no one was so anx-
ious 10 welcome it and give it helping
hand as Mr.. Bethune himself. He wrote
the review in the Edinburgh Chronicle"
"Oh, did he?" said the editor, with some
slight alteration in his tone. Il am glad OF
that I could see it was written by some one
with ample knowledge; IN fact, quoted
the article in the Scotsman, it seemed to ne
SO we'll done. Yes, l am glad of that, Mr..
Anstruther repeated.
And then" continued Vincent, "the old
man may easily have persuaded himself
that being familiar with the subject, he was
entitled to publish a volume on the other
side of the water. But l know this, that
what be desired above all was that honor
should be done those Scotchmen who had
written about their affection for their native
country while living in other lands, and
that the people at home should know those
widelv-scattered poets; and when be found
that this work had already been undertaken,
and was actually coming out, there was no
jealousy in his mind-not the slightest-he
was only anxious that the book should be
known everywhere, but especially In Scot
land"
Il can assure you am very glad to hear
it, said Mr.. Anstruther, who was clearly
much Modified by this vague but earnest
viudication. "And l may say that when
some one came here making inquiries about
George Bethune, did not put matters in
their worst light"
"Oh, some one has been here making
inouiries2" said Vincent, quickly.
"A bout a month ago, or more"
"Who was it?'
81 forget the name" the editor replied.
t'In fact, l was rather veIed at the time
about my friend Ross book-snd Mr..
Bethune getting money from Lord Mussel-
burgh; and 1 did not say very much. am
glad there is some explanations: one likes TO
think the best OF brother Scot But you
swift glance OF inquiry.
"No, am not, +" said Vincent, "but l am
very much interested in Mr. Bethune and
his granddaughter; and, as they quite sud-
denly disappeared from London, thought
it very likely they had returned to the
United States; and also, if they had come to
New York, imagined you would be sure
TO know"
zone thing is pretty certain" said Mr.
Anstruther. eff George Bethune is in this
CITY, ne will be heard of tomorrow even
ing"
Tomorrow EVENING"" Vincent repeated,
vaguely.
astonished stare.
And yet the young man seemed none the
wiser.
"It is evident you are no Scotchman," the
other said at length, and with good humor.
"You don't remember that "a blast o. Jan.
war win blew hansel in on Robin? The
25th of January-the birthday of Robert
Burnsr'
"Oh, yes-oh, certainly" said Vincent,
with guilty haste.
There will be a rare gathering of the
clans tomorrow night" the editor contir-
ued; ''snd If George Bethune is on this side
the water, he'll either show up himself or
somebody will have heard of him.
81 think he must be over here" Vincent
said. "At first L imagined he might have
gone to Scotland-he was thinking of a
typographical and antiquarian book on the
various places mentioned in the Scotch
songs-and had often spoken of making a
pilgrimage through the country Tor that
purpose. So l went down to Scotland for a
few davs, but could hear nothing of him"
What do you say-that you have been
quite recently III Scotland?" Mr.. An
struther said, with a sudden accession of
interest.
About three weeks ago." was the an
swer.
well, well, well % the editor exclaimed,
and he regarded the young man with quite
a kindly curiosity. ''Do We tell me that
In Scotland-not more than three weeks
since And hereabouts-whereabout ?'
"I was in Edinburgh most OF the time, Z"
Vincent said.
'In Edlnburgh?-did We see the Corstor-
phine Hills?" was the next eager question;
and the mans eyes were no longer coldlv
scrutinizing, but full of lively interest and
friendliness. "Ay, the CorStorphine Hills;
We would see them if ye went up TO the top
of Nelson's monument, and looked away
across the town-away along Prince street
that wonderful viewl-wonderfu!- when
think of il, l seem to see it all Silver-white
and Scott's mOnumenttoweringh high in the
middle, like some splendid fountain turned
to stone, Ay, ay, and We were walking
along Prince street not more than three
weeks ago; and suppose ye were thinking
of old Christopher, and the Ettrick Shep-
herd, and Sir Walter, and jeffrey, and the
rest of them? Dear me, it's a kind of
strange thingl Did ye 20 out to HolyroodP
Did We climb up Arthur's Seat? Did ye
see Pnrtnhelln aud Inch Keith. and the