HERMIT OF FIFE

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4300, 8 March 1901, Page 2

HERMIT OF FIFE

STRANGE SECRECY AS TO HIS BURIAL.

Each day brings some new development concerning tho dead hermit of

Fifeshiro and his millions (says a London paper of tho 16th January. The gentleman who has applied to tho Scottish Office for power to have the body of the late Laird of Lathrisk exhumed is Mr John Douglas, of Manchester, who, in a- letter to a Duudoft’ paper, describes himself us the son of Mr Sholto Douglas, full cousin of the late millionaire.

Mr Douglas alleges that no invitation to Mr Johnston's funeral was sent to him or to two other cousins of deceased, and that the latter attended the funeral uninvited and had some difficulty in asserting their rights to take part. Ho also says that ho has been refused, particular's concerning tho death of his kinsman.

Among the county families in Fifeshire the liveliest interest is being manifested in tho case, and in an interview the Hon George Waldegrave Leslie of Leslie, a near neighbour, describes tho scene at tho funeral. “A strange ceremony it was,” say.-- Air Waldegrave Leslie. “When I reached the grounds men stopped the carriage, and I was denied admittance. After a lot of trouble I got within the grounds of Lathrisk and inside the house. A chill welcome was all that mot the mourners. “At the cemetery the same secrecy was displayed; even tho principal mourners were questioned at tho gale—l among them.” Mr Waldegrave Leslie also describes a call ho once made upon the late millionaire. He drove up in his carriage, and a pretty maid answered his summons.

“Is your master in P” was the query. “Yes, but he's in the garden,” replied the girl. “Ofi, I nm a neighbour, and will go into the garden and see him,” remarked tbo squire of Leslie, and made as if to act up to his words. “Isa, sir; it’s as much as my place is worth. Yo cauna—ua, yo duurna--soo tbs laird.” So Mr Waldegravo Leslie departed, asking his coachman to proceed along the .garden path lie leant out of bis carriage and espied-what he thought.to ho the hermit of Lathrisk, pale, emaciated, and a pitiable object. Looks passed between the neighbouring: lairds—but that was all. “I never went to seo him again,” concluded Mr Leslie. ; It was the habit of the late Laird of Lathrisk and his father to indulge in drinking bouts. One peculiarity the millionaire’s father had was to drink one bottle of port per day plus one, glass out of another bottle, The bottlehe- bad broached.was consumed, next day, with another glass, and so on. Ono night father and son wagered who •would drink most. Bottle after bottle was emptied, and tho pair sat glaring at cedi other. At length the older Johnston slipped underneath tho table. Young Johnston quaffed off another cup, then wrapped his father in a. rug, and fell asleep, lie awoke to see his father’s purple face staring- up at him from the floor. . ,

With a scream ho fled, ami hurriedly packing up some clothes, decamped abroad, thinking he had killed his father.