"Ye maun let me speak, or I'll burst,” she said. "Oh, sir, it has been an awfu' grief this-just awfu' to us baith. But dinna, dinna think Adam was to blame as muckle as me. I'm in faut, no him. It wasna frae want o' respec' to you, sir; na, na, that couldna be; but frae love to our bairn, that was sae uncommon ta'en up wi' yersel'." "Ye maun excuse the bairn," said Katie, | than ever, but rather encouraged her in "for she haesna been oot o' the hoose except it. for an errand sin' Adam grew ill. I canna get her tae sleep or eat as she used to doshe's sae fond o' the guidman. I'm awfu' behadden tae her. Come here, my wee wifie." And Mrs. Mercer pressed her head and tearful face to her bosom, where Mary's sobs were smothered in a large brown shawl. "She's no strong, but extraordinar' speerity," continued Mrs. Mercer in a low voice and apologetically to Mr. Porteous; "and ye maun just excuse us baith." "I think," said the minister, in a sad voice, "it would be good for us all to engage in prayer.” They did so. Katie looked up to the cage, and for the first time in her life felt something akin to downright anger at the bird. His words seemed to her to be a most unseasonable interruption a text for a dispute a reminiscence of what she did not wish then to be recalled. "Whisht, ye impudent cratur!" she exclaimed; adding, as if to correct his rudeness, "ye'll disturb yer maister." The bird looked down with his head askance, and scratched it as if puzzled and asking "What's wrong?" "Oh," said Katie, turning to the minister as if caught in some delinquency, "it's no my faut, sir; ye maun forgie the bird; he doesna ken better." "Never mind, never mind," said Mr. Porteous, kindly, "it is but a trifle, and not worthy of our notice at such a solemn moment; it must not distract our minds from higher things" "I remember the lovely boy well," said Mr. Porteous. " "Naebody that ever see'd him," continued Katie, "but wad mind him his bonnie een like blabs o' dew, and his bit mooth that was sae sweet tae kiss. An' ye mind the nicht he dee'd, hoo he clapped yer head when ye were prayin there at his bedside, and hoo he said his ain wee prayer; and hoo Here Katie rose in rather an excited manner, and opened a press, and taking from it several articles, approached the minister and said. "See, there's his shoon, and there's his frock; and this is the clean cap and frills that was on his bonnie head when he lay a corp; and that was the whistle he had when he cracked wi' the bird, and gied him a bit o' his piece; and it was the last thing he did, when he couldna eat, to insist on me giein' a wee bit tae his bairn, as he ca'ed it, ye ken; and he grat when he was sae waik that he couldna whistle till't. O, my bairn, my bonnie bairn!" she went on, in low accents of profound sorrow, as she returned to the press these small memorials of a too cherished grief. "You must not mourn as those who have no hope, my friend," said the minister; your dear child is with Jesus." "Thank ye, sir, for that," said Katie, but continued to press towards the point she had in view. "An' it was me hindered Adam frae killin' my bairn's pet," she continued, resuming her seat beside the minister. "He said he wad throttle it, or cast it into the fire." "I'm muckle obleeged to ye, sir," said Katie, rising and making a curtsey. Feeling, however, that a crisis had come from The minister shook his head, remarking, which she could not escape if she would,"Tut tut! that would never do." she bid Mary "gang ben and watch, and shut the door." When Mary had obeyed, she turned to Mr. Porteous and said, "Ye maun excuse me, sir, but I canna thole ye to be angry about the bird." "Pray say nothing more of that business, I implore you, Mrs. Mercer, just now," said Mr. Porteous, putting his hand kindly on her arm; "there is no need for it." This did not deter Katie from uttering what was now oppressing her heart more "That's what I said," continued Katie; "an' whan he rowed up the sleeves o' his sark, and took haud of the bit thing tae thraw its neck, I wadna let him, but daured him to do it; and I ken't ye wad hae dune the same, fur the sake o' wee Charlie, that was sae fond o' you. O forgie me, forgie him, if I was wrang! A mither's feelings are no easy hauden doon!” Was this account the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? Per This is the minister, Adam, come to haps not. But then, good brother or sister, | bed, and Katie said to her husband, bendI defend not even this weary mourner from ing over him thee! Take the first stone and cast it at her! Yet methinks as you do so, I see the Perfect One writing on the ground; and if He is writing her condemnation, 'tis in the dust of earth, which will soon be covered over. "No more about this painful affair, I beseech you," said the minister, taking a very large and long pinch of snuff; let us rather try and comfort Adam. That is our present duty." "God Himsel' bless ye!" said Katie kissing the back of his hand; "but ye maunna gang near him; dinna risk yer valuable life; the fivver is awfu' smittal. Dr. Scott wall let naebody in." "And have you no nurse?" inquired Mr. Porteous. This question recalled to her mind what seemed another mysterious stumbling-block. She knew not what to say in reply. Jock Hall was at that moment seated like a statue beside the bed, and what would the minister think when he saw this representative of parish wickedness in an elder's house? She had no time for lengthened explanations; all she said, therefore, was, "The only nurse Dr. Scott and me could get was nae doot a puir bodie, yet awfu' strang and fit tae haud Adam doon, when aside himsel'; and he had nae fear o' his life- and was a gratefu' cratur and had taen a great notion o' Adam, and being kin' o' reformed-that-that I maun jist confess, the nurse is Jock Hall." see you." She somehow felt it right that he should know the fact. "God bless you and give you his peace !" said Mr. Porteous in a low voice. The Sergeant opened his eyes, and slowly turned his head, breathing hard, and gazing with a vacant stare at his pastor. "Do you know me, Adam?" asked the minister. The Sergeant gave the military salute and replied, "We are all ready, Captain! Lead! we follow! and please God to victory!" He was evidently in the "current of the heady fight," and in his delirious dreams fancied that he was once more one of a forlorn hope about to advance to the horrors of the breach of a beleagured city, or to mount the ladder to scale its walls. Closing his eyes and clasping his hands, he added with a solemn voice," And now, my God, enable me to do my duty! I put my trust in thee! If I die, remember mother. Amen. Advance, men! Up! Steady!" my The minister did not move or speak for a few seconds, and then said, "It is peace, my friend - not war. It is your own minister who is speaking to you." Suddenly the Sergeant started and looked upward with an open, excited eye, as if he saw something. A smile played over his features. Then with a tone of voice tremulous with emotion, and his arms stretched towards some silent object, he said, "My boy-my darling! You there! Oh, yes. I'm coming to you. Quick, comrades! Up!" A moment's silence, and then if possible a steadier gaze with a look of rapture. "Oh, my wee Charlie! I hear ye! Is the starling livin'? Ay, ay that it is? I dinna kill't! Hoo could ye think that! It was dear to you, and was therefore dear to me and to your mither Then an'" covering his face with his hands he said, "Jist let me ben a minute first," asked "Oh! whatna licht is that? I canna Katie. thole't it's sae bricht! It's like the Son o' man!" "Jock Hall!" exclaimed the minister lifting his eyebrows with an expression of astonishment; "is it possible? But I leave to you and the Doctor the selection of a nurse. It is a secular matter, with which officially I have nothing to do. My business is with spiritual things; let me therefore see the Sergeant. I have no fear. I'm in God's hands. All I have to do is my duty. That is my principle." She went accordingly to the room and whispered to Jock, "Gang to the laft; the minister is comin' ben. Quick!" "Mind what ye're aboot!" said Jock, pointing to his patient. "Be canny-be canny nae preachin', or ye'll rue't." As the minister entered the room he saw Jock Hall rapidly vanishing from behind the door like a spectre, as he stole to his den among the straw. Mr. Porteous stood beside the Sergeant's He fell back exhausted into what seemed an almost unconscious state. "He's gane - he's gane!" exclaimed Katie. "He's no gane! gie him the brandy!" said Jock, as he slipped rapidly into the room from the kitchen; for Jock was too anxious to be far away. In an instant he had measured out the prescribed quantity of brandy and milk in a spoon, and, lifting the Sergeant's head, he said, "Tak it, my bonnie man!" The Sergeant obeyed as if he was a child; and then whispering to Katie, Jock said, "The doctor telt ye, woman, to keep him quiet;" and then he slipped again out of the room. The Sergeant returned to his old state of quiet repose. Mr. Porteous stood in silence stroking his chin. Seizing the fevered hand of the Sergeant he fervently said, "God bless and preserve you, my dear friend!" Then turning to Mrs. Mercer, he motioned her to accompany him to the kitchen. But for a few seconds he gazed out of the window blowing his nose. At length, turning round and addressing her, he said, "I have taken the liberty of placing these two bottles of my own port in that corner for Mr. Mercer. Be assured that I feel deeply for you. Do not distrust me. Let me only add that if Mary must be taken out of the house for a time to escape infection, as I am disposed to think she should be, I will take her to the Manse, if I cannot find another place for her as good as this which would be difficult." "Oh, Mr. Porteous! I maun thank ye for " real willint her in." - for freendship's sake, to tak "Very possibly you would," replied Mr. Porteous, drily," and if I think this advisable I shall let you know. But my own decided opinion at present is, that in all probability she won't need your kindness." "Thank ye, sir," said the meek Cragie, whose expression need not be analysed as she looked after Mr. Porteous, who paced on with his usual step to Mr Smellie's shop. No sooner had he entered the "mercantile establishment" of this distinguished draper, than with a nod he asked its worthy master to follow him up to the sanctum. The boy was charged to let no one interrupt them. When both were seated in the confident ial retreat the scene of many a small parish plot and plan, - Mr. Porteous said, I have just come from visiting our friend, Adam Mercer." "Indeed," replied Smellie, as he looked rather anxious and drew his chair away. "I'm tellt it's most dangerous and deadly." "Are you afraid? An elder? Mr. Smellie!" If there is any thing which can touch the selfish heart and draw it forth into brotherly sympathy, it is the coming into personal contact with a good man who suffers from causes beyond his will. The sense is awakened of the presence of a higher power dealing with him, and thus averting the arm disposed to strike. We dare not smite one in the hands of God. It kindles in us a feeling of dependence on the same omnipotent power, and quickens the consciousness of our own deserts were dealt with according to our sins. There is in all affliction a shadow of the cross, which must harden or soften-lead us upward or drag us downward. If it awakens the pride of pity only in those who stand afar off, it opens up the life-springs of sympathy in those who draw nigh. we Mr. Smellie was so far off from the Sergeant that he had neither pity nor sympathy: the minister's better nature had been touched, the shell of the nut had been pierced, and he now possessed both. I hope," said Smellie, "ye will condescend to adopt my plan of charity with him. Ye ken, sir, I aye stand by you. I recognise you as my teacher and guide, and it's not my part to lead, but to follow. Yet if ye could see oh, if ye could see your way, in consistency, of course, with principle, toye understan', sir? I hope I do not offend. I'm for peace; more especially as the Doctor thinks he may And if he should recover, Mr. Smellie, thy charity might induce him to think well of thee. Is that your plan? "Recover," said Mr. Porteous, with a sigh, "I fear not. He is feeble, the fever is strong.' Maybe, then, it might be as well to say nothing about this business until, in Providence, it is determined whether he lives or dies?" inquired the elder. Did he now think that if the Sergeant died he would be freed from all difficulty, as far as Adam was concerned? Ah, thou art an unstable because double-minded man, Mr. Smellie! "I have been thinking," Mr. Porteous went on to say, "that, as it is a principle of mine to meet as far as possible the wishes of my people as far as possible, observe, that is, in consistency with higher principles -I am quite willing to meet your wishes, and those of the Session, should they agree with yours, and to recognise in the Sergeant's great affliction the hand of a chastening Providence, and as such to accept it. And instead, therefore, of our demanding, as we had a full right to do in our then knowledge of the case, any personal sacrifice on the part of the poor Sergeant sacrifice, moreover, which I now feel would be- but we need not discuss again the painful question, or open it up; it is res judicata. But if you feel yourself free at our first meeting of Session to move the withdrawal of the whole case, on the several points I have hinted at, and which I shall more fully explain to the Session, and if our friend Mr. Menzies is disposed to second your motion, I am willing to yield I won't object." a ment as was proposed on behalf of the Sergeant would be such a testimonial in his favour as would satisfy John Spence should the Sergeant die; and also have the same good results with all parties, as far as his own personal safety was concerned, should the Sergeant live. With this understanding they parted. Next day in church Mr. Porteous offered up a very earnest prayer for "one of our members, and an office-bearer of the congregation, who is in great distress," adding the petition that his invaluable life might be spared, and his wife comforted in her great distress. One might hear a pin fall while these words were being uttered; and never did the hearts of the congregation respond with a truer "Amen" to their minister's supplications. At the next meeting of Session, Mr. Smellie brought forward his motion in most becoming and feeling terms. Indeed, no man could have appeared more feeling. more humble, or more charitable. Mr. Menzies seconded the motion with real good-will. Mr. Porteous then rose and expressed his regret that duty, principle, and faithfulness to all parties had compelled him to act as he had hitherto done; but he added that from the interview he had had with Mrs. Mercer, and from the scene of solemn and afflicting chastisement he had witnessed in the Sergeant's house, and from his desire always to meet the wishes of his Kirk Session, he was disposed to recommend Mr. Smellie's motion to their most favourable consideration. The motion was received with much surprise and pleasure by the minority. Mr. Gordon, in his own name, and in the name of those who had supported him, thanked their worthy Moderator for the kind and Christian manner in which he had acted. All protests and appeals to the Presbytery were withdrawn, and a minute to that effect was prepared with care by the minister, in which his principles were not compromised. And so the matter "took end" by the restoration of Adam to his position as an elder. No one was happier at the conclusion come to by the Session than the watcbmaker. He said that " he took the lceberty o' just makin' a remark to the effect that he thocht they wad a' be the better o' what had happened; for it was his opinion that even the best Kirk coorts, like the best toon clocks, whiles gaed wrang. Stoor dried up Mr. Smellie was sincerely disposed, for the ile and stopped the wheels till they gaed reasons known to the reader, to agree with ower slow and dreich, far ahint the richt Mr. Porteous in his view of the case. He time. An' baith coorts and clocks were perceived at once that his being the origina- therefore a hantle the better o' bein' scoored. tor of such a well-attested and official move- | Depen' on't," he added, "the Session wull gang fine and smooth after this repair; and he thanked the minister for his motion, without insinuating that he had caused the dust, but rather giving him credit for having cleared it away, and once more oiling the machine. In this sense the compliment was evidently understood, and blandly accepted by Mr. Porteous. Even the solemn Mr. Smellie smiled graciously. We must return now to the Sergeant. It would only weary the reader to give a narrative of the events which happened during the period of his recovery. Dr. Scott watched by him many a night, feeling bis pulse, and muttering to himself about the twitching of the muscles of the fingers, as indicating the state of the brain. Often did he warn Katie, when too hopeful, that "he was not yet out of the wood," and of tener encouraged her, when desponding, by assuring her that he "had seen worse ships come to land." As the captain steers his ship in a hurricane, adjusting every rag of sail, and directing her carefully by the wind and compass, according to the laws of storms, so did the Doctor guide his patient. What a quantity of snuff he consumed during those long and dreary days! What No! he had not once taken toddy until the night when bending over the Sergeant be heard the joyful question put by him, "Is that you, Dr. Scott? What are you doing here?" and when, almost kissing Katie, he said, "He is oot o' the wood at last, thank God!" "The Almighty bless you!" replied Katie, as she, too, bent over her husband and heard him once more in calmness and with love utter her name. His next questions were, "Hoo's wee Mary? Is the bird livin'?" haun's, or ye'll get cauld and be as bad as ever." Katie was at his other hand knitting. Why interpret her quiet thoughts of deepest peace? And little Mary sat on her chair by the fire. This was the first day in which Adam, weak and tottering, had been brought, by the Doctor's advice, out of the sick-room. Mr. Porteous unexpectedly rapped at the door, and on being admitted, gazed with a kindly expression on the group before him. Approaching them, he shook hands with each, not omitting even Jock Hall, and then sat down. After saying a few suitable words of comfort and of thanksgiving, he remarked, pointing to Jock, that "he was snatched as a brand from the burning." Jock, as he bent down, and counted his fingers, replied that the minister "wasna maybe far wrang. It was him that did it," he added, as he pointed his thumb over his shoulder; "an' though he wasna frichted for the lowe, I'm thinkin' he maybe got his fingers burned wi' me." After a minute of silence, Mr. Porteous said, "I am glad to tell you, Mr. Mercer, that the Session have unanimously restored you to the office of elder. When you are better we shall talk over this business as friends, though it need never be mentioned more. Hitherto, in your weakness, I requested those who could have communicated the news to you not to do so, in case it might agitate you; besides, I wished to have the pleasure of telling it to you myself. I shall say no more, except that I give you full credit for acting up to your light, or, let me say, according to the feelings of your kind heart, which I respect." One evening soon after this, Adam, pale A few quiet drops trickled down Adam's and weak, was seated, propped up with pil- pale cheek, as in silence he stretched out lows, in his old arm-chair, near the window his feeble and trembling hand to his minisin his kitchen. The birds and the streams ter. The minister accepted it, and shook were singing their old songs, and the trees it cordially, and then gazed up to the roof, were unfolding their last leaves, and robing themselves in the rich foliage of "the leafy month of June;" white fleecy clouds were sailing across the blue expanse of the sky; the sun in the west was displaying its glory, ever varying since creation; and all was calm and peaceful in the heavens above, and, as far as men could see, in the earth beneath. Jock Hall was seated beside Adam, looking up with a smile into his face, and saying little except such expressions of happiness as, "I'm real prood to see you this length, Sergeant! Ye're lookin' braw! It's the wife did it and maybe the Doctor; but baith are by ordinar'. Keep in yer his shaggy eyebrows working up and down as if they were pumping tears out of his eyes, and sending them back again to his heart. Katie sat with covered face, not in sorrow as of yore, but gratitude too deep for words. "Will ye tak' a snuff, sir?" said Jock Hall, as he offered his tin box to the minister. "When I fish the Eastwater I'll sen' ye as bonnie a basketfu' as ever ye seed, for yer kindness to the Sergeant; and ye needna wunner muckle if ye see me in the kirk wi' him sune." The Starling, for some unaccountable reason, hopped from spar to spar of his cage, as if he was leaping for a wager. |