Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1893-05-19

I to pay for my ex.
pericncc, not in money, as it eventually
turned out, but in personal liberty.
1t was my frat circuit in the employ
mcnt of Hinde and Cooper, wholesale
jewellers and silversmiths, of Blrming-
ham. My round was an extensive one
from Stirling, on the edge of the Scot
fish Highlands, to Inverness, in the
north. made the round twice year,
in April and October, travelling with
samples and collecting accounts. My
turn out consisted of horse and trap
"machine," they call it in the north
and 1 made the journey In short stages,
and altogether found the work very
pleasant and enjoyable.
was on my way from Perth to Edin-
burgh on my southwark journey. MY
calls were over with tho exception of one
or two in Stirling and one in Linlithgow
before reaching Edinburgh, my head
quarters.
Scan see Mr. Macgregor7" asked q
shopman, as drew up at the door of an
obviously flourishing establishment in
the High Street of Stirling.
"Mr. Macgregor's not in himself.
Who is it that's asking for him2"
"Turner, from Hinde and Cooner
Birmingham"
entered the shop. A man, half gen.
tleman farmer, half jockey, was standing
at the counter making some purchase.
An elderly man came forward to address
me.
whats came of Mr.. Naismith2" he
asked
Naismith was my predecessor on the
round, but advancing years had rendered
his removal to less laborious one cx-
pedient. l explained rs much to nv
interrogation.
"They'll all miss Mr.. Naismith on the
road" he said. ~ have known him
myself for nearly thirty years. You've
never been this way before, think9"
ono, this is my first experience in
Scotland, even."
"You'll like it, no doubt. Mr.
Naismith was very fond of it,"
assented.
''Air. Macgregor was anxioua TO see
you himself, know; but he has had to
go to Edinburgh. He SAID was to 90
for young Mr.. Macgregor if you called
before his return"
"Oh, very well!"
Young MIR. Macgregor, made out
Gas solicitor, whose offices were almost
next door. lie had, as is not unusual
in Scotland, added to his legal duties
that of bank manager-local manager
for one of the Edinburgh banks.
On the entry of young Mr.. NIacgreror,
as everyone called him, we adjourned to
little room behind the shop, separated
from it by glass partition, the view
through which was only partially OBJ
scured by number of silver and plated
goods arranged on shelves.
Our business was soon transacted. Mr..
hIacgregor handed me roll of notes of
the British Linen Company's Bank, some
eight hundred pounds in all, which I
counted and found correct. The FORE
man, who had been attending to the
horsey individual have already referred
to, handed me fresh order in his mas.
ter's handwriting. I was pleased to see
it was large one, and, highly satisfied
with the business of the day, proceeded
to my hotel.
1t was the eve of Tryst at Falkirk, not
FAR from Stirling, the great cattle market
Of Scotland, frequented by buyers and
sellers from all parts of of the kingdom.
Stirling was crowded with visitors, as
usual on such an occasion; and SO, after
brief rest, and batting my horse, de-
termined to drive on as far as Linlithoow.
and pass the night there.
had good dinner, and was just on
che point of retiring to my room when
the noise of wheels rapidly passing the
window attracted my attention.
There was knock at the outer door,
and few moments after the waiter
looked in, saying.
ga gentleman to see you, sir"
"Show the gentleman in"
But he did not require showing in, for
he had followed close on the walters
heels. He came hastily forward and
sheok me warmly by the hand. lie was
an elderly gentleman, whose long white
beard and white locks gave him very
venerable appearance. An elder of the
Kirk of Scotland at least, said to my
self. He was travel-stained, and o bvi-
ously very agitateu.
"DIr. Turner, am glad to have been
able to meet you," he said.
"Yess" replied intcrrogatively, for
had no idea who he was.
"My names Macgregor -Macgrcgo of