The Penn's Grove record., 1894-02-02

1t was my first circuit in the employ
meni of Hinde and Cooper, wholesale
jewellers and silyersmIths, of Blrming-
lam. Ny round was an extensive one
from Stirring, IN the edge of the Scot
tish Highlands, to Inverness, in the
north. 1 made the round twice a year,
in April aud October, travelling with
samples and collecting accounts. Ny
turn out consisted Of a horse and trap
''machine," they call it in the north
and made the journey IN short stages,
and altos ether found the work very
pleasant and enjoyable.
was on my way from Perth to Edin-
burgh on my southwark journey. My
calls we're over with the exception of one
or two in Stirling aud one in L%;nlithgow
before reaching Edinburgh, my head
quarters.
Scan I see Mr.. Macgregor2" I asked b
shopman. as I drew up at the door of a
obviously iourishing establishment in
the High Street Of Stirling.
''Mr. Macgregor's not in himself.
Who is it shat's asking for himi"
Turner, from Hinde and Cooper,
Birmingham"
l 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
ne.
"What's came OF Mr.. Naismith3" h,
ssked.
Naismith was my predecessor on the
round, but Advancing years had rendered
his removal to a less labor:ous one ex-
pedient. l explained as much to my
interrogation.
"TheyM all miss Mr.. Naismith on tho
road" he said. ~ have known him
myself for nearly thirty years. You've
never been this way before, l thinkf"
"No, this is my frs experience in
Scotland, e7en."
"You'l lie it, no doub!. Mr..
Nsismith was very fond Of it,"
/ n s3nted.
"Mr. Mac.regor was anxious to seq
you tins, If, know; but he has had to
20 to Z liniIur.b. He sud | was to 90
for young Mr.. Mtcgregcr if you called
before his r%etuynl'
"Ol, very welt!'
Young MIR. Macsregor, I male gu.
WIS 4 S %,Icitor, whose Offices were almIs.
next door. lie had, as is not unusual
10 Scotland, added to his legal duties
that of bank manager-'ocal manager
for one of the Z i~inburgh banks.
On the entry of young Mr.. Macgresor,
as everyone called him, We adjourned to
a little room behind the shop, separated
from it By a glass partition, the view
through which was only partially OBJ
scured by a number of silver and plated
goods arranged On Shelves.
Our business was soon transacted. Mr..
Macgre cor handed me a roll of notes Of
the British Linen Conpany's Bank, some
eight hundred pounds ia all, which I
counted aud found correct. The fore.
man, who had been attending to the
horsey individual | have already referred
to, handel me a fresh order in his mas
ter's handwriting. was pleased to see
it was a large one, aud, highly satisfied
with the business Of the day. proceeded
% my hotel.
1t was the eve Of Tryst at Falkirk, not
for from Stirling, the great cattle market
of Scotland, f~requented 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
a brief rest, and batting my horse l 0s-
ternined to drive on rs faf As Linlithgow,
aud pass the night there.
had a good dinner, and was just Oh
the point of r%etirius tc my room when
the noise of wheels rapidly passing the
window attracted my attention.
" u.s. = knock at the outer door,
and a few moments after the waiter
looked in, saying:
"A gentleman to see you, SIR"
"Show the gentleman in"
But he did not require showing in, for
10 had followed close on the walters
He anne hastily forward and
shook me warmly by the hand. He was
IN elderly gentleman, whose long white
beard and white locks gave him a very
venerable appearance. An elder of the
Kirk Of Scotland at least, l said to my.
eli. He was travel-stained and obvi.
lusly very agitated.
''sir. Turner, l am glad to have bee,
bic to meet YOU" he said.
"yesf" l replied interrogativsly, for I
Iad NO idea who he was.
'My names ACKNOWLEDGMENT oil
jtiEling. Your principals know me
~ assure you I am glad to see you,"!
eplied, now shaking his hand in turn
your name is a familiar one in om
house; but" observing his emotion, ~
'ope there's nothing wrongT
al hope not, my young friend" he
eplcd; sat. least, nothing but what car
amended, I hope. May ask you ii
led have sent off the notes you got from
ny son to-dayl"~
/ "No, 7 shall walt till I reach Edin.
I said.
"Thank Hesvsnl" be fervertly ejacu
ktod, aud then burst into q loud ct OF
ahbing, the tears running down his
I&se&aand aYer hs IsAsfAbls hard. II