Max O’Bell on the Scotch.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume I, Issue 85, 29 December 1887, Page 2

Max O’Bell on the Scotch.

In his daily litanies the Scotchman enters into the most trifling details with careful forethought: the list of the b es-ings he wishes for, and will certainly receive, for God cannot re tuse him anything —all this is present to his prodigious memory. -He dots bis i’s. as we say in France ; and if by chance he should happen to employ a rather far-fetched expression, he explains it to the Lord, so that there shall be no danger of misunderstanding what he asks for—he corners Him J'hus 1 was one day present at even mg prayers in a Scotch family, and heard the master of the house, among a ti >usand other supplications, make t e followings—“Uh Lord, give us receptivity : that is to say, Uh Lord, the power of receiving impression*." In Scotland even the beggars have none of these object manners that denote their tilhss elsewhere. “1 remember one in Edinburgh, who stopped me politely, yet without touching his cap and said, ‘ You look ns if you had had a good dinner, sir; won't you give me something to buy a meal with P 1 took him to a cook-shop and bought him a pork pie. *lf you don’t mind,' said he ‘l'll have veal,’ Why, certain Ly J everyone to hi* taste, to be sure. I acquiesced wth alacrity. He was near shaking hands with me.” Another incident which the amiable Max O'Rell tells as having happened to him in Edinburgh shows, in another way, a truly fraternal feeling. I’he beggar, who carried a viohu, a*ked him for a penny. “ But why, ” inquired Max O’Kell, “ don’tyouplay for it P” " Give me the penny, ” rejoined the beggar “ and don’t make me play. I assure you you won’t regret it." Such delicacy was irrestible. Max O’Rell lost his penny, but saved bis ear.