The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1906-05-15
TT 3 was honest and painstaking in
what he did, and could not al
4 A low piece of bad work to pass

his forebears had been employed in the
handloom industry and had turned out
material which, although made fifty
years previously, still could show rea-
sons for not being discarded.
Like many a village youth, he had
his spates Of love; periods when, on
meeting a modest maiden, who. in
passing, caught the glance of his eyes,
made his cheeks blush with a crimson
tide.
AS the parish minister of Killowan
knew him well. He had been one Of
the first members of my Bible class
when it was opened, and never allowed
any storm to hinder him from being
present. George Kirkpatrick had out
grown this meeting place; he was a
faithful member of the church, and
paid rigid attention to the sermon
being well read on doctrinaI points,
on which he could argue fairly well.
After his parents died he lived alone.
He cooked his own food and purchased
his own provisions, and seemed fairly
happy.
One evening had a chat with him
as he was delving in his garden in
the spring. After a few desultory re-
marks, observed. "Why don't you
marry, George?"
'I'm feart nobody would haze the
likes O. me-" he answered. "You see,
although the house is my own. l haze
only wage of fve-an' twenty shillings
a week, an I'm wee doubtful how far
they would gang, when women are so
extravagant in their tastes nowadays"
But there are plenty of nice, marri-
ageable women in Killowan," | said.
"And you know the Bible says, 1T is
not good for man to live alone y
Fine ken that, Mr.. Davidson" he
said II whites waken in the NIGHT and
there isna a creature to whom I can
speak. keep my window blind up at
NIGHT, and 1 lie and see the stars
glintin in the lift abune, like the
bonnie eyes O. a woman full O joy for
some one. but mo- for me-"
"But, George" I said, surely there
is some one whom you knAw who
Would be glad to be your wife?'
He hesitated little before replying.
after having turned over. several
padefuls of earth and clapped it
smooth he said, "Weel, wouldna say
but what there is lass in the case. /
hae waikiki wi her frae the kirk, back
end forrit for mair than five years, but
lm mo- ony faurer forrit than was at
the beginning She is a nice, sonsie
woman, but can never make up my
mind to- ask her to come inside and
share my bite an sup. It's hard lines"
land as he uttered these words he
drove his spade harder into the
ground.
The word "sonsie" at once revealed
to me the object Of his choice; wom-
an some five years his junior, and one
who was in every way well adapted to
make him a good wife Without think
ing on what was saying, said;
would you like me to publish the
sbanns' of marriage between Jessie
Brown and yourself on Sabbath first
andgon the following week?'
George, thus brought face to face
with way out of the difficulty, ceased
the side of his trousers, and taking
my right hand in his fairly made me
vince with the pressure of his grasp,
and then without a word hurried in
side his dwelling.
did not wish to intrude on him
further so betook me to the manse.
Well remember it was Tuesday
morning this occurred And then, to
my establishment late on Saturday
evening received a notification from
George kirkpatrick asking me to pub
lish the "banns" of marriage between
himself and Jessie Brown on the first
Sabbath and also on the following
week!
wondered how he had summoned
up courage to propose. but being busy
with other things never thought that
the hastily uttered words of mine had
anything to do with this intimation Of
his.
Jessie Brown and her parents were
in their pews, and George was also
there, seated in his place on the OPP
posite side OF the church. After the
usual services were over l duly mace
the intimation or, rather, announced
It in the formal manner with which
we are all SO well acquainted. Glanc
ing over to where Jessie Brown sat
noticed her face suddenly turn crimson,
and then pale to that Of a lily-white
hue
After my duties We're over + crossed
over and entered the manse, which was
close beside the church, and this pre-
vented me from hearing or noticing
anything Of an unusual nature. How
ever, during the week met George,
and his face was literally beaming.
Come inbye, Mr.. Davidson. come in
bye" he said.
! was soon seated in the big chair
at the kitchen Preside.
George was apparently full OF his sub
ject Without further ado he began
~ can never thank you enough for
putting the idea Of The cries into my
head When got out o the kirk
hurried olf IS quickly as / could until