The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1900-02-18
CHAPTER XVI.
Provost Partan Visits His Lime Kiln

Provost Partan Visits His Lime Kiln.
Provost Gregory Partan had risen
betimes in the morning, in spite of his
late vigil A man does not carry the
burden of a municipality for nothing.
but at such a time, when SO many
TOgues were about, it was not Gregory
Partan. the faithful magistrate, who
would spare himself.
Now I do not know whether you are
a cOnnoisseur in smells, as l have the
fortune or misfortune 10 be. But TO me
every room I was ever in has its own
bouquet. Just as each flower and the
bark of every tree has its particular
door.
That of Gregory Partan's little par
Tor. where mostly he did his business,
was. a very peculiar and composite one.
! have never met it during all my
travels through the countries of the
world save 10 the houses of the we'll
to-do towns folk Of the trading Dor
OughS liz Scotland. It is a scent COM
pound of well-polished antique furnl-
ture, .Cf heartshOrn or other ungunt
used upon shining mahogany ana rose
wood. In this case il was not ciCs'e
smell of unopened windows, for -
most times the window stood several
inches open. propped with book or the
edge Of a chance piece of timber picked
IN uDOn the quay. trace Of strong
waters, too. of excellent quality, might
have been separated and distinguished
by the delicate nostril, and much mora
than a trace of the leather binding OF
Gregory Partan's great ledgers. Ihese
stood on a shelf above the provost s
desk alongside of the official library
of his office. the town dues book, the
Durgh records, and a large thin octave
bound on curious black leather stamped
with an intricate design in gold, which
contained the rates charged by the Of
ficers Of his majesty's excise for every
article from imported heather besOmI
to fOreien-built ships carrying his ma
jesty's flag.
Here. then, Provost Partan sat. and
in the simplicity of his heart cast up
the bills of lading of mis- latest venture.
For the Corramantee, described as ear
Tying wooden goods, wines and spirits
to the colonies. belonged wholly TO Pro-
VCSt Partan of the town of Abercalrn.
though Philip stanton, master, was
entered as owner.
IT'S an aWeslue thing for a provost
an an elder o the kirk to hae 60 zeal
wi blakes an bl -kguards. But what
can a God-fearin' man dO2 Siller he
maun make OF he is nocht thocht q
in this land o. gospel privileges An
there's simply nae s,iler in the country
Foreign ventures We maUn a try If We
are no TO eat yin anither up like min
n0vs in a pond. But oh, the risk the
risk, FOrbye the uncertainty whether
ye viii ever see hIlt or hair % sic dell 5
ickpennies again-
There's mair nor iva thoosand
paunds worth o. guild gunpoother in
that ship-twa hunder and sixty casks
O. strong speerit tGuid forbid that ony
Christian man should pour drap OF
doom his hassg -f0rbye guns and
whingers an bully-kniVes for the
heather that fear ma their Maker 20
cut yin anithers threats wi'-heeven
send them speed And a that gear at
the mercy O. a set o as regardless
looms as dehle the face o. clayl A that
siIler depeudin on sielike WATTS and
runnagautes as Philip Stansfeld that
slaughtered the daddy o. him-Or gat
the blame o't-o' Saul Mark that is as
muckIe waur than Philip Stansfieid as
he is waur than Gregory Partau. But
what q sailOr-what- a supercargOl He
ia nae guild ar the fechtin', but he
brings hame siCcau a balance-sheet as
haesna entered the port for thirty year.
How does ne manage it2 It's safest
no spee lin Gregory. lad TAX your
gowden guineas. Jingle them on the ia .
BE. see that they arena Ciippit' But
never ask Whaur they cam frae- Ma
nor whatua fine ship gaed don WI
the flames mountn' higher than her
riggin'. O. Gregory Partan. man. gin
a the minister says is true. ven hae
To answer for this, But there's ave a
day for repentance-and I've lang.
lang to leeve yet HootS-whats a the
fret, Gregory, you and me VIII juist
TAX cor mornin 20 FRIGHT awe sad
thochts?'
So saying. the provost rose and from
a recess in the Wall concealed cleverly
behind the window shutter. he took a
square bottle and poured il into dram
glass which also stood In the recess
Here's To the lads on the Cora
mantca-a guild delivery. ssse re-
turn. and a heavy big when SAM rem
ders his next accoon
Tt was a long toast for 50 little a
glass. but 10 even things the provost
filed it up again and yet again-tili.
indeed. the right rubic began to creep
back To his cheek ard even tinge the
lower position Of his magisterial nose.
Gregory stood at the window and
tasted With lingering relish of palate
the excellence Of his own private store.
They'll be clear GOT twenty guid sea