The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-05-07

"Yes, Kit and / thought the gallery
| would do; it would hold more than a
hundred comfortably, and perhaps I'm
| prejudiced. but il strikes me as rather
a good room"
Nothing finer in Scotland. but you
could not have the Glen there, and every
man, woman and child in Drumtochty
will want 10 see Kate Carnegie married
10 John Carmichael, and let me add
the doctor tapped his box-"so they
ought.
1T would be to me a great satisfac-
tion"-they were all waiting-"to see
this marriage celebrated in the Kirk of
Drumtochty, where all the people Of
the parish once worshiped together,
and where for one happy day they
might be gathered again"
He spoke with unwonted hesitation,
and cast wistful glance at the tleee
grouped before him in the sunshine.
"Do you mean TO say, DIR. Davidson,
that you are going to seize the opportu-
nifty of our marriage TO vile my people
into the Parish Kirk, and have the whole
Glen forgetting their principles, and
sitting together like a lot of Christians?
To think that venerable appearances
should conceal such depths of duplic-
ity," and Carmichael the next moment
had flung dis hat in the air in great
gladness, while Kate besought the Doc
tor, by every endearing name, to waltz
around the lawn with her.
The Doctor was SO lifted with this
happy arrangement that his visitors
had departed in high spirits before he
remembered John, on whose eoodwill
its whole success would absolutely de-
pend. If that great man should happen
to disapprove, it would be cruel to in
vite the Free Kirk; if he were in good
humor, there need be no more anxiety.
and so the Doctor was very Diplomatic.
John" he said. after evening
prayers, "just wait moment; there is n
matter, u rather important matter. in
which / desire to--have your mind.
Miss Carnegie and Mr.. Carmichael both
desire that the ceremony should take
place in the Parish Kirk, which is quite
according to iaw,, you know, John, and
shows an-excellent spirit"
There's been an awfu' argle-bargle
gaein' on aboot the place o. the mar
riage, an the fouk hes been tryin' 10
draw me, but did a say word? Ma, ma,
Doctor, a kentma poseetion better; am
DO astonished at what We tell me; il
cudna be otherwise; but ma wo ;, the
Free Kirk foulS i'll no be sair plea d."
"It's about that that want 10 speak.
John; you see Mr.. Carmichael's people
viii want % come and see him married.
Int that NIL he difficult TO manage.
Had il been any other beadle but you,
would have said il was impossible. but
YOU are hard TO beat. John; in fact, all
these years you have never failed.
"Now, John. turn the question over in
your mind. and If the thing Is beyond
you, it's beyond everybody. and we i'll
just have To invite Burnbrac and the
Free Elders, and fhe rest Of their con-
PTcgatiou will have TO stand In the kirk
ward. Think il over, and let me know
tomorrow; but I fesr II will be too
much even for you. ell. J0hn?"
After luncheon that eminent func-
tionary gave his decision--it was un-
dcrstood that he had not slept one wink
the preceding highland the Doctor
considers thGt he never spoke with
more authority.
IT'S natural that the Free Kirk sud
wish iae see their minister married, an
it wudna be wise-lille tae keep them oot;
is an occasion, an' it's 70 like tae
come again; Doctor" and John spoke
with much emphasis. every man o
them i'll hae his place IN the Kirk.
AS regards room. there need he
nae fear o. that. doctor; ddna one Kirk
baud n the parrish afore '43? an bon
ME sicht il ives tae see the hale Glen,
frac his lordship tac the puircSt cottar
body. sittin' ablow the same roof; there
can be nae tribble about accommoda-
lion.
when We come tae the sittin' o. the
Frees. there's juist three plans. an n
/, gied over them a in the garden. They
! micht tax Ony place they cud find. but il
wudna be seemly tnc see foull fechtin'
! for place like a crood O cattle. That
| i'll no dae.
Then they micht be conducted tao
| their seats by the Beadle the same us N
! tie toon's kinks. an am no dcnyin'
but it's vera taldn' tae see church
! officer walk the length o. lang kirk
| wi company ahint him an show them
| irtae pew wi a bow; bur a cudna dae
that withoot practice. an all rim nae
risks at my ege."
The Doctor indicated that II would he
madness, and waited for the third
| course.
"Ie're aware that there's a pc " in the
Kirk for every farm in the Glen, an
nnithcr for the worlin' fouk. an
though Burnbrae hes never been in the
Kirk since he left at the Eruption. his
place is eve there; moo. Doctor. what
div We think o askin' them iuist tae
sit in their ould seats for the day."
John" and the Doctor spoke with
much solemnity. you have had many
mastery ideas within your province.
but this is without doubt the finest: did