Charlevoix county herald., 1907-05-18

widow, both of this parish"
It's indecent, that's what it ISL
said Mr.. banks, the fish merchant.
When l say it is indecent, l refer to
this intimation O merriage that fell on
us a the day like a thunderbolt, and
| tell We, Joseph Ridhorn, that ma
opeenion O this proposed merriage
is"
20 nae value TO onybody."
Wen see ABBOTT that! What has
that auld miser, John Fergus, done for
the kirk, / ask YEP" demanded banks
flercely.
Hes never done onything to dis
grace it, anyway"
What dye mean?'
In ither words" replied Mr.. Red
horn calmly, Il wud suggest the adj
visabeelity o yer keepin' yer nose for
yer fish an no for pokin' into ither
folks affairs
Especially" went on the painter,
"the affairs o a man that lost his best
arm in a railway accident when he
was little mair nor youth
That's naethin' to dae wi him bein
a Iniser," the elder snapped flercely
IF he lost his arm, Providence sent
him a legacy O fully three thousan
pound the vera same year, an Provi-
dence never intendt him to pit by
the bigger hauf o the interest"
Maybe, Peter banks, maybe. Bein'
an elder, we've dootless ha' mair com
munications wi Providence than yer
humble servant"
"Humph! Dae we mean to tell me
that Jane McGlashan, wha's fifty if
she's a day, is merryin' John Fergus
FOR onything but his siller?' Mr.. Danks
cried bitterly.
I'm no tellin we onything. But
supposin' she is merryin' him for his
siller, what business is it o. yours or
mines? Nevertheless, l believe her
wee shop keeps her comfortable.
though we wudna think there was
muckle profit on sweeties an tobaccy,
an newspapers, ct cetera. Dinna ex-
cite yerser further, Master banks.
That's ma advice to YOU"
But Mr. banks was not satisfied.
He'll be Twin on her, an savin'
every penny O. his interest," he said
viciously.
Mr. Redhorn stopped short in his
walk.
See, Master Danks," he said sharp.
ly, John Fergus gi'ed me ma first
job, an didna haggle ABBOTT the price
AS for Mrs. McGlashan she gi'ed me a
bottle o medicine last year that cured
ma indigeestion-an I'm Mistress Nc
Glashan's freen for life An, mind We,
Peter banks, if we try to max ony
mischief ABBOTT this merriage, I'll for
get ye're an elder, an'--as shair as ma
names Joseph Ridhorn-Tll come
when we're sleepin' an pent yer hoose
pea-green, wi bad words in scarlet on
the door"
Whereupon joseph left the dunn
founded elder, and made for his mod
est dwelling.
AS Joseph rested after hearty meal
a brilliant idea suddenly struck him.
1t took him a full week to acquire
courage sufficient for the carrying out
Of his brilliant idea
At last, about eight o'clock, on an
October evening, he stepped stealthily
from his door. About a furlong be-
yond the village he came to a cottage
standing by itself on a half-acre of
ground. A faint light filtered out te-
tween the closed shutters on the right
hand window.
"Weel, here goes" he said, half
aloud, as he stood on the steps and
knocked on the. door
The door was opened an inch and
voice shouted, "Whas that?"
Its me-Joseph Ridhorn," replied
the painter.
Fergus hesitated. "Weel. We best
come in he said at last. It's no
NIGHT for the doorstep for man or
beast"
Mr.. Redhorn followed his unwilling
host into the kitchen.
sit DOOM" said the other, pushing
a chair nearer the hearth, and taking
another for himself.
"Thenk ye," replied Mr.. Redhorn.
''Wud We try ceegaurette?"
Il dinna smoke he said quietly.
"Thenk We a the same, Joseph Rid.
horn"
A long silence followed. But the
thing had to be faced, and at last he
forced himself into speech.
Il was gaun to tell we, Master Fer
gus hoo ] managed TO commence tho
smokin'. Ye see, used to be a mar
tyr 10 dyspepsia, if we ken what that
is, an | thocht ma case was hopeless
till yer wife" Fergus started. 81
mean yer intendit-gi'ed me a sample
o mixture. An moo I'm new mani
] can eat onything!"
'Weel. weel," said Fergus, I'm
shair I'm glad to hear we've got quit
o yer trouble"
"Ay,' went on Mr.. Redhorn solemn
ly, ITS the inner man that coonts.