CHAPTER XV.

Clutha Leader, Volume II, Issue 105, 14 July 1876, Page 7

CHAPTER XV.

That day the doors of parish-school were shut, -■'And every scholar got his leave to play ; Down rush they light of heart aud light of foot, Big ploughmen iv their coats- of hodden grey, Weavers despising now both web and treadle, tlollier ahd collier's wife, and minister aud beadle. • •• ' -And bare-foot lasses, on whose ruddy face . Unfurl'd is health's rejoicing banner seen, Trickedin theii- Sunday mutches edged with lace, _ Tippets of white, and frocks of red and green, vorae tripping o'er the road with jocund pace, _Gay a-? May morning, tidy, trim, and clean, - Whilst,' jogging at each wench's side, her joe many a rustic joke, his pow'r of wit to snow. Tennant's "Anster Fair." ; On the last Monday of August, 1842, presented an unwonted lively appearance. Strangers poured into the city in crowds from every direction and by all sorts of conveyances. The streets were literally swarming, j The ehtire Scottish people seemed assembled in " Auld Reekie" to see the Queen ; such a harvest fbr porters and hackney coachmen, and such a demand for lodgings, had not occurred for at least twenty years before. The weather was propitious, and everybody seemed in spirits and full of expectation. Edinburgh, for once wore what might have been her ordinary aspect, had the spirit of centralisation not deprived her of all the attributes of a metropolis for the aggrandisement of London. Robin Afleck, not from any information he had received but from a shrewd calculation of probabilities, anticipated the arrival of the Whinnyside people on the evening of the day just mentioned. He took his measures accordingly. Watching an opportunity of meeting Griselda M'Glunchagain on the street, he bribed her with a triflingpresent to oblige him in three particulars — rfirst, to inform Jean Brown, -Bhould she come along with Mrs Renshaw, that he would be waiting for her that evening at a certain hour in the broad walks of the Meadows ; second, to contrive matters so that Jean would have an excuse for going out at the time;. and, lastly, to keep silence to her about the ridiculous display she had seen him make along with Mr Bacon. These matters being arranged, Robin had done all that could be done to obtain a meeting with his sweetheart that in case of her arrival any time during the course ofthe day. But he was not content with this. His impatience to see her urged him to stroll out oh the great road leading to Edinburgh from xlief south, by which he knew the Whinnyside party mus; The road was crowded with people on foot, on horseback, and in carriages of .every kind, all hurrying into the city. Robin was almost the only person going towards the country, and as he had particular reasons for wishing to see all and not to be seen himself, he displayed some generalship in taking up a favorable position. He placed himself behind a dry stone dyke, shaded by a plantation of stunted trees, which bounded the road where it ascended a considerable acclivity. Here by stooping he could completely conceal himself from observation, while, through an •opening in the loose-built fence, he had a perfect view of all that passed. From this commanding station, the road was seen a great way southward, winding among corn fields and pasture land — not of a rich or romantic character, but -rearing the mellow hues of autumn, and S glQ__ing under a bright sun. A waving .wreath of dust, raised by the unwonted traffic going on, indicated the course of the road wnere it was itself unseen, and -along' the whole line 'to a remote distance, Robin strained his eyes in the hope of descrying, among the numerous ■approaching vehicles, the " dear-meal-uart". of Whinnyside. This sort of vehicle came first into use among farmers when they were enriched by the .prevalence of the high " war prices." Hence it derived its name. For a long time he saw no carriages of any kindTamiliar to his eye, but at length, and only when it was pretty nigh, 'he observed a green-colored ■open carriage, drawn by two fine greys, which he at once recognised as the family coach of Sir John Baldwin. When it came near, he saw in it Sir •John himself, his lady and daughter, and, strange to say— the redoubtable M* Simdu M'Quirkie ! The steep ascent of the road at the place ; where Robin was ensconsed, caused the carriage to proceed very slowly-,' so : that he had time to observe well both with his eyes and ears. A brisk conversation was going on "between Sir John and M'Quirkie, in which the latter seemed as usual the ■chief speaker and in an uncommonly loquacious mood;. while Lady Baldwin 'frowned and Miss Baldwin pouted in evident displeasure. Robin had hardly time to recover irom his surprise when another coach -came in view. It was also open, and there sat the Rev. Mr Calmsough and -his wife, with old Mr Gideon Montgomery and the lovely Agnes. This was a happy looking group. Mr Calmsough was doing' his best to render the Yjourney pleasant to his companions ; and he was evidently successful, for his worthy lady and Miss Montgomery ■seemed delighted, and even old Mr habitual sternness of ■^■iw_nteriance ; had relaxed into a placid r =smile. Alter a considerable interval, filled up by passengers, in whom the vigilant watched tookno interest, he noticed the

approach of two gentlemen in a gig, the first glance of whom made him stoop out of sig-ht as if he had been shot. These were no other than Dr Snapperdudgeon and a neighboring- pettifogger who wos his local agent in his continual litigations. Robin allowed this couple to be fairly out of sight before he ventured again to raise his head. In fact the sight of their approach to Edinburgh raised qualms of fear in his mind, and threw a shade over the pleasure he anticipated from the other arrival which he waited for impatiently. He, however, turned his eyes again to the smith, and after long watching and many -disappointments, when the sun had got near the horizon he perceived a spring cart which he felt pretty sure was the Cl dear-meal-cart" of Whinnyside, There were several circumstances, however, which puzzled him. The horse was notfamiliar to his eye, and the driver was not Jean Brown as he expected, but a man — a man of large proportions and stately bearing. Could he possibly be John Rumplubane ? Then the cart contained no less than three females. Supposing Mrs Renshaw to be one, and Jean another, who was the third ? All conjecture was set at rest, when, on a nearer approach, Ringan Sfcimperton of Stiffriggs was discovered to be the driver, and Robin recognised, as Mrs Renshaw's female companions, his own Jean Brown and the eldest of Mr Stimperton's sisters. This young woman was of the kind of beauties termed blondes. Her hair and skin were extremely fair, and she had a flush of color in her face partaking more af the peony than the rose. She was an incessant laugher, and good-natured even to softness. So soft, indeed, was she, that it was common, in speaking of her, to omit the first T in her name, and call her Miss Simperton. Between her and Jean Brown, who was the soul of fun, there was, as may be supposed, enough of merriment going on ; but in this Mrs Renshaw took little share. She was intent on keeping up conversation with the honest farmer, who divided his discourse somewhat equally between her and the hor^e. This animal was his own, and had been less habituated to obey the whip than his master's voice, so that he only did his best when encouraged byconstant coaxing and admonitory exclamations. The homely vehicle was packed as full of boxes, bandboxes, trunks, and baskets as if the party it belonged to had been emigrating to a distant country and taking with them provisions and other necessaries calculated to last a twelvemonth; for Mrs Renshaw had little faith in being able to obtain proper articles of any sort in Edinburgh, beyond things of trifling bulk which she called " trigiggery/' Besides changes of raiment, including all her most showy dresses, she had with her butter, cheese, eggs, fowls, honey, flour and meal, all the produce of her own farm. Of the last named article she had brought a firlot, selected with great care for its superior qualitr, which she had made up her mind to cause Jean Brown to b&ke into cakes to be presented to the Queen along with the jar of gooseberry iam alluded to in one of Jean's letters. She conscientiously belived that the cakes, as well as the jam, would be a treat of no ordinary description to her Majesty, and she had put herself to considerable trouble to carry her purpose into effect. In order that they might be " short and crumpy" when placed on the royal table, she resolved that the cakes should be baked* in Edinburgh, just before being sent to the palace ; and, to manage this, she thought it necessary to bring \ with her all the baking apparatus from Whinnyside, since it was not probable that there would be either a " kneading rower" or a" firing girdle" in Edin- ! burgh. Jean Brown had been cunning enough to encourage, atl these notions, for she knew that but for them her chance of getting to Edinburgh was but small. The sight of this comely nymph, and the sound of her cheerful, merry-ring-ing 1 voice, so electrified her rustic lover that he could with difficulty let her pass without discovering himself. Almost immediately afterwards, he sprang over the fence at a bound, and followed the Whinnyside cart into town, keeping Jean Brown's blue ribbons steadily in view, but at such distance as to avoid being seen by her or any of the party. As he went on, his thoughts reverted from his own to Mr Duncanson's affaire de cceur. He could not help wondering how it happened that Miss Montgomery had come to Edinburgh without previously apprising Mr Duncanson of her intention ; yet he wad sure she sent him ne intimation of the kind, otherwise ne would either have heard of it or discovex'ed it indirectly, He knew too .that Mr Duncanson, being on leave of absence from Mr Bacon's service, had invited the Rev. Mr Aspen to his lodgings that very evening, to discuss certain points of Church politics on which the latter had not yet made up his mind ; and this he was not likely to have done, had he expected Miss Montgomery's arrival in the city. I Robin Afieck, though not a sentimentalist, was generous and self-deny-ing. He therefore . resolved to risk . missing his own dulcinea that evening, in order to find out where Miss Montgomery and her father had taken up their quarters, and to give her lover timely information. Accordingly, after

entering the town and seeing the Whinnyside party make directly for Mrs M'Glunehagain's lodgings, he went about from one hotel to another, inquiring of the waiters if they had received any visitors answering- the description of the little party from Burncrook. In this pursuit he was fruitlessly engaged till long after the hour of his own appointment, but at length he was successful. He discovered that the objects of his search had gone to private lodgings in Pitt-Street ; and when he had ascertained this point, he hastened to communicate this information to Mr Duncanson. It is here_ necessary to explain that Mr Duncanson and his reverend friend, the hero ofthe experimental dinner, had not been long seated together till the latter put some searching questions to him concerning his intercourse with Dr Crimp. It was evident that the reve-i-end gentleman expected to hear of something not very different from apostacy, and he kept his eyes keenly fixed on Mr Duncanson as he touched on the subject. Not a symptom of embarrassment or reservation, however, could he detect in the student's manner, as he replied to his interrogations by detail- ' ing" to him the circumstances in which he had got acquainted with Dr Crimp, and what had taken place between them. When he had concluded, Mr Aspen, with a voice faltering with disappointment, said — " So, then, you have no intention ot going over to the Episcopalians V "Most certainly not," was Mr Duncanson's reply j " how could you suppose I had ?'' " Why, sir, to be plain with you, appearances seemed to favor the opinion, and I was not alone in adopting it." " Indeed ! I am nofc conscious of anything in my conduct that could have led you ur others to believe me capable of taking such a disgraceful step as that of abandoning the persuasion in which I was bred." " Not disgraceful, Mr Duncanson ; don't call it disgraceful. It might be a very painful step, and yet in a sense excusable, and even praiseworthy." It was now Mr Duncanson's turn to scrutinise. He felt amazed at what he heard, and was puzzled to know what conclusion he ought to draw from it — " Is it possible that Mr Aspen — lately so high-flying in his zeal against Erastianism in the Church of Scotland, can be veering towards Erastian Prelacy, with all its mummeries and mockeries ?" While this question was rising into shape in his mind, he was roused from his momentary reverie b} 7 hearing a gentle rap at the outer door He then heard himself inquired for by a female voice, and immediately after, Jean Brown was ushered into the room. Jean, though by no means a timid girl, had a fair share of feminine modesty ; and when she found herself at once in the presence of Mr Duncanson and his friend Mr Aspen, she blushed deeply, and drew back as if she wished to ietire. Mr Aspen, however, had no motive to remain longer after having sounded his young friend's mind on sessional matters, and given some indications ofthe unsettled state of his own. He therefore rose at once and took his leave, with a look not unmingled with suspicion, at the student and his buxom visitor. After her agitation had subsided a little, Jean briefly related to Mr Duncanson the errand on which she had made bold to call on him. She informed him that Miss Montgomery had contrived to see her that very morning, and told her that her father had made up his mind to take her with him to Edinburgh, but had formed the resolution so suddenly, or concealed it so long that she had not an opportunity of writing to him on the subject. And further, Jean said that Miss Montgomery would be in Edinburgh by that time, and would be glad to see him about half-past eight, as she would probably have a better opportunity of meeting him then than afterwards, for her father and Mr Calmsough intended to go to a private meeting on Church affairs, which would probably detain them several hours. This was, indeed, important intelligence to the student, and he eagerly inquired where Miss Montgomery was to be found. On this point, however, Jean's information was not altgether satisfactory ; for though she knew knew wher-e the Burncrook party intended to take up their quarters, it was very doubtful, from the crowded state of the town, if they could be accommodated there, seeing- the}" had made no previous arrangements. But at this moment I i obin Afleck arrived with precise information on the point. On hearing him approach, : Jean Brown slily put her finger to her lip to enjoin secresy on Mr Duncanson, and withdrew into a corner, where she was completely concealed behind a press, door whicli then stood open. . Robin came in quite breathless, and in a high state of excitement. " I ha'e great news to tell you, ;Maister Jimes," he exclaimed—" great news, man ; Miss Mi°-gumerie is in Embro' as weel as Jean Broun and your auntie." " Well, sit down and let me hear all you know about Miss Montgomery's . arrival j but take your time,: and don't put yourself in such a pucker." " Don't pit mysel' in such a pucker ! Is thafc the way ye tak' the news ? Fegs, if I had kenfc ye were sac heedless, I wadna hae broken my tryst wi'

Jean Broun to get you word whaur ye micht see your jo." " I shall be sorry if you have broken any appointment on my account, but very glad to hear your news." '• Weel, ye see, I've been on the look oot the feck o' the day tor the Whinnyside folk, and I've seen them, ye ma}' be shure — I saw my Jean b\it Jean she sawna me. (Sings) -- There's no a flower that springs • By fountain, shaw, or green, Nor yet a bonny bird that einga, But minds me o' my Jean. Fegs, she's putten me in a singin' mood. She was in the cart wi' your auntie and Saft Shusie Simperfconj and as shure's ye're leevin', Stiffriggs himsel' was at' the horse's head." " But did you see Miss Montgomery ?" "Ou ay. I'll come to her belyve. But ye see the first kenfc. folk I saw was Sir John Baldwin nnd his wife and docter ; and wha do ye think was in the coach wi' them but wee Mr M'Quirkie ?" " Well, well, I don't care about that, but where did you see Agnes ?" " Gi'e us time, Maister Jimes, gi'e us time. Ye loot on ye were in nae sic a hurry when T cam' in. It wasna lang after Sir John's coach gaed bye till I saw Dr Sn.apperdudgeon and Mr M'Cheatrie, the lawyer — twa folk that hae tae'n the cleil's trade oot o' his hands as far as I am concerned ; for its them, and no him that I'm feart for — he may* be an ill-set thiei) and yet no half sac bad as them." " Now, Robert, can you tell me where you saw Miss Montgomery, and if you know where she is lodging ?" " Then, to be plain wi' ye, Maister Jimes, I saw ber comin' intil the toun aboot sax o'clock, wi' her faither and Mr and Mrs Calmsough ; and I did mair for you than ye seem inclined to gi'e me ony thanks for ; for after I saw the Whinnyside cart come in, and tho' 1 had planned a nice bit snug meetin' wV Jean Broun, I left a' at the braidside to speer after Miss Miggumerie, and I fand her obfc' at last, but only when the time wus past when I should hae gane anither gate." " That was, indeed, very kind of you. and I hope you will have no cause to repent it. Now, then, if you please, tell me tbe result of your inquiries ?" " Since ye maun ken, then, Miss Miggumerie and her faither hae ta'en up their quarters in a hoose in Pittstreet, no a stane-cast frae Queen-street. It's a lodging-hoose wi' window screen^ as red as a sodger's coat, and a brass knocker on the dcor — *so yell find it easily. And as for the tryst I had wi' Jean, though I'm vext eneuch I've missed it, I'll soon get- her pleased wi' some kind o' nonsense. The breakin' o' this tryst is bufc the loss o' ac nicht, and I'se warrant we'll hae twa or three yet before she leaves the toun. Ifc may tak' you some trouble to get a sicht o' Miss Migumerie, even noo when ye ken whaur she's bydin; but I ken I can see Jean Broun ony time I like to whussle for her on my fingers." " Can ye though, Robin 1 Say ye're no sac sure, my man," exclaimed Jean, as she jumped from her concealment, and made her lover start as though he had seen the ghost of Dr Snapperdudgeon. She burst into a fit of loud laughter on seeing his surprise and embarrasment. But when he hacl rallied 'sufficiently to commence an apology on the understanding that she bad kept the appointment, she assumed an air of displeasure, and pretended to be deeply offended. While this farce was performing, Mr Duncanson snatched his hat and left the rustic lovers by themselves, to meet his cher ami. Robin commenced his defence with much stammering and circumlocution. He did not know well how to speak, for he felt his case was ticklish, and saw , no way of making it better. It was, however, necessary, he should say something, and he began in the soothing vein. ! " Now, Jean," said he, "ye needna tak' it amiss that I didna keep my word, for ye ken it was oot of no want of regard for you." "I ken naething o' the kind," she replied, and here the artful little gipsy feigned to cry. " Atweel, h'obin," she continued, " it's no muckle ye care for me, when you could slight me in this way for ither people's business. If this is the luve ye promist me, it's no what I expeckit it to be." Sbe simulated another burst of wounded pride, and put poor Robin almost beside himself with vexation. " Can ye no, woman," he said in a piteous tone, "tak' my excuse Tor a'rice, and no vex me wi' yer greetin' ?" ; " No, Robin, I'll tak' nae sic excuse, but " — she -added, with 'a 'smile which she ivas unable to repress when she saw his rueful looks — " but I'll clear you this time for a better reason. Ye maun ken, then, I didna keep the tryst mysel'. I had a message frae Miss Migumerie to Mr Jimes, and I cam' wit instead b gaun to the Meadows to meet wi' you ; so we're evenjgam sters, Robin. Ye didna sligbJi/iiie a bit mair that I slightit you* for. \vhat lass that thinks "ought o' hersel' wad be seen wi' you after ye've been playing the Merry Andrew through the toun wi' Mr Dirty Bacon?" This sally was delivered with an arcb:. smile, and suceeded by a peal of .laughter which would have been bothioud and long, had Robin not had the tact and gallantry to ; smother it in kisses too many to be counted. When he desisted, it was but to express his admira-

-J — ■ • tion of his sweetheart's versatility and, address — " Ye're a real acker, Jean," : *said he, "ye should be on the stage, if ye werna owre gude for sic a place. It's the like o' you should be wi' Mr Bacon when he gangs to the Queen and the grent men she's bringin' wi'' her. But I little thocht that ill-faur'd jade, Griselda M'Glunchagain, wad ha'e exposed the caper I had "to cut wi' tbe gentleman, after I gied her a pock lv' o' raisins to say naething aboot it." " And did ye mean to keep me in the dark about the cockit hat and, the tyet hair and the flunky dress ye've been makin' a mle o' yourseP wi' ?" " I deny tho tyet hair and the flunky dress a' thegither. There's no a word o' truth, int. The claes might be worn by a Duke ; and as for the cockit bat, yell be proud to see me wit on, it's sac grand like. Bless your heart, woman ! it's just as like the Provost's bat as ac egg's like anither. But the way 1 cam to be conneckit wi' Mr Bacon ava was this." Here Robin entered into a long-winded explanation of the circumstances, which need not be recapitulated ; but he did not succeed in altogether satisfying Jean tbat he bad acted right in allowing himself to be drawn into such a ridiculous situation. Her iwepressilde love for fun, however, and her curiosity to see Mr Bacon, overruled her prudential scruples, and sbe contented herself with demanding that her lover should make such a use of his ostensible secretaryship as would enable her to see the illustrious bachelor of Autcherbardie and his extraordinary manner of housekeeping. " And," continued she, "ye might do waur than come awa' just the noo, and let me see whaur he bydes, for I dinna care though it should be a bib aboot. The missis disna expeck me in this hour yet, for she has Stiffriggs in tow the nicht, and if he comes awa soon it'll no be her faut. She's courtin' him briskly, but he's unco dreigh to draw. I may no ha'e as muckle time in a hurry, and this droll man's house is the first thing I wad like to see in Embro'." " I wad like to get some meat firsfc, Jean, for ye ken luve makes me desperate hungersome ; and as I have fasted sm' the morning, I find thegrand o' my stomach at ony rate ; sac if you like to wait a wee, we'll ha'e a bite o J supper." Jean did not require much pressing to consent to this proposal. Something comfortable was soon produced, and Robin said he would go round the world to enjoy suoh a repast again ; bufc whether the homely viands were better than common, or only acquired an unwonted relish from tho presence of Jean Brown he could not say. He held it for certain, however, that no such meal was ever eaten before or since by mortal man. (To be continued.)