The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-07-23

mending them to the good Will and pro-
lection of his loving subjects In that
part of his dominions They presently
acquired considerable tract of land
known as Dungisbay, on the shore OF
Pentland firth, in the occupation and
cultivation of which they appear to
have prospered exceedingly Little
more is known of their doings and it
is not until the lapse of many years
that their descendants appear upon the
historic page.
The family had not only thrived but
multiplied, and the next act OF the
drama discloses eight different repre-
sentatiVes of as many branches, the
elder being the John who was to erect
the famous house bearing his name.
1t was their custom to hold an annual
meeting Ito celebrate the arrival OF their
ancestors in that country. as also for
the purpose of cementing their own in
terests within 1t. On one OF these oc-
casions, at which the wine of the
country had perhaps also assisted,
question arose as to the right OF prece-
dency; right which involved the high
privilege of taking the door ana sit
ting at the head of the table There
was hot contention and a quarrel en-
sued, which might have led to fatal
results but for the prudence and sa-
gacity of John. This astute person is
Canisbay and Orkney and had proba-
bly, a larger experience of men and
manners than had fallen to any of his
relatives He practically rehearsed TO
them the fable of 1.-The Old Man and
the Faggot of Sticks" reminding them
that if they quarreled among them
selves they would be easily overborne
and dispossessed by their neighbors.
Ultimately and on the express under
standing that John would devise a
practical ''modus vivendi by the time
of the next meeting the dissidents
agreed to cry truce and so went their
several ways.
Now, it will be obvious to all who
are acquainted with the fervor of the
old Scottish clanship, and the jealousy
with which the nice questions of prece-
dence were regarded. that John o
Greats proposition gave the worthy
man "all his work to do" But he did
it triumphantly, and this is how that
canny blend of Dutch phlegm and
Scotch shrewdness set about it. His
first care was to build a council cham
Der. John was his own architect, but
had no fool for his client. The problem
was to admit and seat, eight person.
ages of equal Professionalism, proba-
bly,, rather more so" than otherwise
on a perfect footing of equality. After
much bordering, John hit upon the
happy lued Oh NnG otldSoH ds his
ground plan, and speedily the walls be-
gan to rise. In each of the eight sides
was constructed a separate door, over
which appeared its Complementary
window. The next consideration was
the council table, which, however, nat
urally evolved itself from the plan OF
the house 1t was a sturdy octagonal
board of oak, and this being finished
and fitted in it's place, the illustrious
designer was prepared to welcome his
relations when the suspicious day came
around. AS each made his appearance
he was ushered through his own spe-
cial door and requested to take the
corresponding seat at the head of the
table Finally, John contented him
self with the last vacant seat and the
conclave was complete. So happy a
fancy so ably realized was not to be
resisted. 1t appealed to the practical
side of the national character, and, in
the result, good humor and common
sense prevailed, and complete harmony
was restored among the several
branches of the family.-London Globe.