The sun., 1890-07-20
STAND FAST, CRAIG.ROYSTONI |
BY WILLIAM BLACK.
CHAPTER III.
AN AP ACn.

"Come in" called out old George Bethune.
There appeared middle aged man, oil
medium height, who looked like butler out
OF employment; he was pale and flRbby Of face,
with nervous eyes expressive Of sort Of i'm.
bsoilo amlRbility
"Ah, Hobsonp said Mr.. Bethuno, In his lofty
manner. We'll ?"
The landlady's husband came forward In the
humblOst possible fashion and his big promi-
nent vacuous eyes seemed to bo asking for q
little consideration and good will.
II beg your pardon, sir" said he In the
most deplorable Of cookney accents, II 'umbly
beg your pardon for making 90 bold; but
Knowing as you was 90 fond Of everything
Scotch, took tho liberty OF bringing you q
sample OF something very special-a friend OF
mine, sir, recommended it-and then Gays I to
him. 'Lor bless re, / don't know nothing about
Highland whiskey: but there's q gentleman In
eur 'ouse who is sure to be judge. and II l
can persuade him to try It. he'll be able TO say
n it's the real sort"
"All right, Hobson." said George Bethune. In
his grand way. Some other time will see
what II is like"
THANK you. sir. thank you'll" said the OK.
butler with earnest gratitude; and he went
ond placed tho bottle on tho sideboard. Then
10 came back and hesitatinely took out an en-
volope from his pocket. And II might ask
another favor, sir. You see, sir. in this 'ot
weather people won't go to the theatres; and
they're not doing much; and my brother-in-
law. the theatrical agent. he's glad to get the
places filled up. to make q show, sir, rs you
might say. And I've got two dress.olrco seats.
nyou and the young lady was thinking OF GO
ing to the theatre tomorrow night. It's RreAt
favor sir. as my brother-ln-l law said to me rs
he was a-giving me the tickets and arsking me
% get 'em used"
He lied; for there was no brother-in-law and
ne theatrical agent in the case He himself
had that very afternoon honestly and straight
forwardly purchased the tickets at the box
office, as he had done on more than one oocn-
sion before. out Of the money allowed him for
personal expenses by his wife: 30 that he had
90 look forward to severe curtailment OF his
gin and tobacco for weeks to come.
"ThaRks--thanksl' said George Bethune. as
he lit his long clay pipo Il will see what my
granddaughter says when she comes in-unless
You would like to use tho tickets yourself"
"Oh. no. sir. begging your pardon. sir" was
the instant rejoinder. When l ave even
ing out go to the Oxbridge music 'all-per-
hRps it's vanity. sir-but when Charley Cold
stream gets q hanRcore. do like to hear
Some on 'em call out Says Wolseley, says he!
All. sir. that was the proudest moment Of my
life whom I see Charley Coldstream come on
the stage and begin to sing verse after verse.
and the people cheering: aud owed it all to
you. sir; It was you, sir. advised ne TO send 1t
tohim-"
A catching refrain-a catching refrain"
said the old gentleman. encouragingly. Just
fitted to got hold of the public ear"
why, SIR" said Hobson with fatuous little
ehucklO Of delight. this VERY afternoon. as ]
was coming down Park street. heard butch
or's boy a-snging it-I did indeed. slr-as clear
as could be heard the words:
"'says wo!seley, sayshe
To ArabL
You can fight other chaps. but you can't fight
me every word heard. But would you be-
neve 1t. sir whom was In the OK bridge music
'sll could 'ardly listen 1 was so frightened.
and my ears a-buzzin' an me 'ardly able to
breathe. Lor. sir, that was a experience! No
body looked at mo. and that was mercy-1
couldn't ha' stood Il. Even the Chairman. as
was not moro than six yards from me. didn't
know who was. and not being acquainted
with him couldn't offer him somethink. which
should have considered it q proud honor so to
do on sich an occasion And II might make
30 bold, sir"
He was fumblinR In his breast pocket.
"What-more verses?" said Mr.. Bethune,
gool naturedly. We'll. let's see them. But
take seat. man. take a scat"
Rather timidly he drew q chair In to the
table: and then he said with appealing eyes:
But wouldn't you allow me- sir, to fetch you
little drop OF the whiskey-I assure you it's
the bestl"
oh. very wel-very we'll; but bring two
tumblers: single drinking is slow work"
In few seconds those two curiousy assort-
cd compauions-the one massive and strong |
built, impressive in manner. measured and |
emphatic OF speech. the other feeble and fawn
ing. at once eager and vacuous. his face ever
ready to break into maudlin smile-were
seated In confabulation together, with some
sheets Of scrlbbled paper between.
And il You will excuse my being so bold.
sir" continued Hobson, with great humility |
"but have been reading the little volume OF |
Scotch SONGS you lent me. and-and-"
Trying your hand at that too?"
"Only o verse. SIR" |
Mr. Bethuno took up tho scrap OF paper and |
read aloud:
oieeSs me on the toddy.
tho toddy
tho toddy
oleeSe on tho toddy
Wen hae willie wAughL,
well yes." he said. with rather q doubtful |
air. you've got the phrases all rght-except
the willie-waught. and that Is Q common error.
To tell you the truth, my friend. there 10 no
such thing as as a willie -waught Wau0hA is q
hearty drink: RIGHT Gude-willie wauRht is
drink with right good will. IPiNie-udu0M is
nothinG-a misconcepton-s printers blunder.
However, phrases do not count for much.
Scotch phrases do not make Scotch song. 1t is
not the provincial diRleot-it is tho breathing
spirit that is the llfe"-and Herewith he re-
poated. In proud manner. as II to crush this
Door anxious poet by the comparison:
Sso her in the dewy flower.
Sac lovely, sweet, and fair,
hear her voice In nkA bird
wi music charm tho air;
There's not bonnie flower that springs
By fountain, shaw or green,
Nor yet II bonnie bird that sings
But minds me o. my Jean
"Deg pardon, sir-NIIss Bethune? 2" said Hob
son. inquiringy; for no evidently thought
these lines were Of the old Rentlemau's own
composition. And then as he received no an
sWer. for Mr.. Bethune had turned 10 his pipe