HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Seaforth News, 1939-04-13, Page 6PAGE SIX.
THE SEAFORTH NEWS
THURSDAY, !APRIL 13, 1939
"If your lordship is assured that he
is non compos mentis," said 'Dalgetty,
"the whilk his breeding and behavior'
seen to testify, the matter must end
here, seeing that a madman can nei-
ther give an affront, nor render hon-
orable satisfaction. But, by my saul,
if I had my prcvant and a bottle of
Rhenish under my belt, I should have
stood otherways up to him. And yet
it's a pity he should be sae weak in
the intellectuals, being a strong pro -
,per• man of body, fit to handle pike,
morgenstern, or any other military
implement whatsoever."
Peace was thus restored, and the
party seated themselves agreeably to
their former arrangement, with which
Allan, who had now returned to his
settle by the fire. seemed once more
immersed in meditation, did not again
interfere. Lord Menteith, addressing
the principal domestic, hastened to
start some thence of conversation
which might obliterate all recollec-
tion of the fray that had taken place.
"The laird is at the hill, then Donald,
I understand, and some English
strangers with him?"
"At the hill he is, an it like your
honor, and two Saxon calabaleros are
with hint, sure eneugh; and that is
Sir Miles Musgrave and Christopher
Hall, both from the Cuntraik, as I
think they call their country."
"Hall and Musgrave?" said Lord
Menteith, looking at his attendants,
"the very men that we wished to see."
"Troth," said Donald, "an' I wish
I had never seen them between the
ten, for they're conte to herry us out
ID' house and ha'."
"Why, Donald," said Lord Men-
Donald; your master is certain to lose
such a wager,"
'Your honor may swear that; an'
where he's to get the siller I kerma,
although he borrowed out o' twenty
purses. I advised hint to pit the twa
Saxon gentleman and their servants
cannily into the pit o' the tower till
they gae up the bargain o' free gide
will, but the Laird winna hear rea-
son."
Allan here started up, strode for-
ward, and interrupted the conversa-
tion, saying to the domestic in a voice
like thunder, "And how dared you to
give my brother such dishonorable
advice? or how dare you to say he
will lose this or any other wager
which it is his pleasure to lay?"
"Troth, Allan -McAuley," answer-
ed the old man, "it's no for my fath-
er's son to gainsay what your father's
son thinks fit to say, an' so the Laird
may no doubt win ,his wager, A' that
I ken against it is, that the teil a can-
dlestick, or anything Iike it, is in the
house, except the auld airn branches
that hae been here since Laird Ken-
neth's time, and the tin Sconces that
your father gar'd be made by auld
Willie Winkle the tinkler, mair :be
token that dell an unce of siller plate
is about the house at a' forby the
lady's auld posset dish, that wants
the cover and able o' the lugs."
"Peace, old ntanl" said Allan,
fiercely; "and do you, gentlemen, if
your reflection is finished, leave this
apartment clear; I must prepare it for
the reception of these southern
guests,"
"Come away," said the domestic,
Keith, "you did not use to be so cher- 'pulling Lord Menteith 'by the sleeve;
dish of your beef and ale; southland ss
hts hour is on him," said he, looking
toward Allan, "and he will not be
though they be, they'll scarce eat up controlled."
all the cattle that's going on the They loft the hall accordingly, Lord
castle mains." Menteith and the Captain being ush-
Teil care an they did," said Don- ered one way by old Donald, and the
old, "an that were the waist o't, for two attendants conducted elsewhere
we have a wheen canny trewsmen by another Highlander. The former
here that wadna let us want if there had scarcely reached a sort of with -
was a horned beast atween this and drawing apartment ere
Perth. But this is a warse job—it's they were
joined by the lord of the mansion,
nae less than a wager." An us M'Aulaybyname, and his
' A wager!" repeated Lord Menteith English guestsGreat o
ex -
with some surprise, joy was "Troth," continued Donald, to the pressed by all parties, for Lord Men -
full as eager to tell his news as Lord
Menteith was curious to hear them,
"as your lordship is a friend and kins-
man o' the house, an' as yell hear
eneugh o't in less than an hour, I
may as weel tell ye mysell. Ye sall
he pleased than to :know, that when
our Laird was up in England, where
he gangs oftener than his friends can
wish, he was.biding at the 'house o'
this Sir Miles Musgrave, an' there
was patten on the table six candle-
sticks, that they tell me were twice as
muckle as the cand'lestic'ks in Dun-
blane kirk, and neither airn, •brass,
nor tin, but a' solid silver, nae less;—
up wi' their English pride, has sae
muckle, and kens sae little how to
guide it! Sae they began to jeer the
Laird, that he saw nae sic graith in
his ain poor country; and the Laird,
scorning to hae his country put down
without a word for its credit; swore,
like a gude Scotsman, that he had
mair candlesticks, and 'better candle-
sticks, in his ain castle at hame, than
were ever lighted in a hall in Cumber-
land, an Cumberland be the name o'
the couintry."
"That was .patriotically said." ob-
served Lord Menteith.
"Fary true," said Donald; "Burt her
honor had better hae Standen her ton-
gue; for if ye say any thing amang
the Saxons that's a wee by ondinar,
they clink ye down for a wager as
fast as a Lowland smith would ham-
mer shoon on a Highland shelty. An'
so the Laird behoved either to gae
back o' his word, ar wager twa huts -
der merks; and so he e'en took 11*
wager rather than be shamed wi'
the like o' them. And now 'he's like to
get it to pay, and I'•m thinking that's
what makes him sae swear to came
hame at e'en."
"Indeed," said Lord Menteith,
"Dram my idea of your family plate,
with and the English gentlemen were
well known to each other; and on
Lord 'Menteith's introduction, Cap-
tain
aptain Dalgetty was well received by
the Laird. But after the first burst of
hospitable congratulation was over,
Lord Menteith could observe that
there was a shade of sadness on the
brow of his Highland friend.
"You must have heard," said Sir
Christopher Hall, 'that our fine und-
ertaking in Cumber/and is all blown
up. The militia would not march
into Scotland, and your prick -ear's
covenanters have been too hard for
our friends in the southern shires.
And so, understanding there is some
stirring work here, Musgrave and I,
rather than sit idle at home, are come
to have a campaign among your kilts
and plaids."
"I hope you have brought arms,
men, and money with you," said
Lord Menteith, smiling.
'Only some dozen or two of troop-
ers, whom we left at the 'last Low-
land village," said Musgrave, "and
trouble enough we had to get them
so far."
"As for many," said his compan-
ion, "we expect a small supply from
our friend and host here."
The Laird now, coloring highly,
took Menteith a little apart, and ex-
pressed to him his regret that be had
fallen into a foolish blunder.
"I heard it from Donald," said
Lord Monteith,, scarce able to sup-
press a smile.
"Devil take that old man," said
M'Aulay, "he would tell every thing,
were it to cost one's life; but it's no
jesting matter to you neither, my
lord, for I reckon on your friendly
and fraternal benevolence, as a near
kins•ntan of our house, to help me out
with the money due to these pock -
puddings; or else, to be plain wi' ye,
the dell a M'Aulay will there be at
the muster, for eurse me if I do •riot
turn covenanter rather than face
these fellows without paying them;
and at best, I shall he ill enough off,
getting both the scaith and the
scorn.* Notwithstanding the proverbial epi -
"You may suppose, ,cousin," said.
al,
Lord Menteith; "I am not too weld that is •oF. the English—,p,rover ser
equipt'jus•t now; but you gray be as- mat to say, 'in Scotland at the per-
sured I shah endeavor to help you the English visitors made no
as well as I can, for the sake of old figure whatever at the entertainment
kindred, neighborhood, and alliance. compared with the .portentous vorac-
"Thank ye -thank ye- thank ye," ity of Captain Dalgetty, although 'dish that'
reiterated M'Aulay, "and as they are gallant soldier 'had already displayed
to spend the money in the King's much steadiness and pertinacity in
service, what signifies whether you, 'his attack upon the lighter ent-
they,refresh-
service,
or I pay it?—we are a' one rent set before them at their man's bairns, I hope? But you most
ranee, by way of forlorn hope. He
spoke to no one during-
help me out too with some reasonable g the time of his
excuse, or else I shall be takingto meal; and it was not until the viet-
Att•drety Ferrara; for I dike not to be:mals were nearly withdrawn from the
treated like a liar or •a braggart at my table, that he ,gratified the rest of the
own board end, when, God knows, I company, 2410 had watched him with
only meant to support my honor and some surprise, with an account of the
that of my family and couttbr reasons why he ate so very fast and
Y so very long.
Donald, as they were speaking, ens „ „
tered, with rather a blither face than,"The former 4ua'he l he said, he
he might shave been expected to wear, had acquired while he filled a place at
considering the impending fate of his the bursar's fable at the Maresdte,
master's purse and . credit. "Gentle- College •af Alberdeen; When," said hae,
mens, her dinner is ready, and her P'tf you did not move your jaws re
•candles are lighted too," said Donald, bast :as a pair of castanets, you• were
wth a strong 'guttural emphasis on very unlikely to get anything to put
the last ,clause of bis speech. 'between them, And as for the mien -
Lord Menteith put.the same ques- City of le food, he it ;known continuedto this
tion with bis eyes to the Laird, which Captain, t company," the the
li'Anlay answered by shaking his
"that it's the duty of every
head. commander of a fortress, on all oc-
A short dispute about precedence nasions which offer, to secure as
somewhat delayed their leaving the much munition and vivers as their
some meat. Lord 'Menteith insisted magazines can possibly hold, not
sus-
upon,apyielding up that which belonged'knowing when they may have to on
to his rank, on consideration of his taro a principle, or a •blockade, said he,
being in his own country, and of his
Which gentlemen," he,
rear connection with the family in
is good , and abundant, when a cavalier Kinds that prevent
which they found themselves. The he will, in my
him -
two English strangers, therefore, estimation, do wisely to victual were first ushered into the hall, self for at least three days, as there
where an unexpected display awaited is no knowing when he may come by
then. The large oaken table was another meal.
spread with substantial joints of meat, The laird expressed his acquiesce
and seats were placed in order for once in the prudence of this principle,
the guests. Behind every seat stood a and recanntten ran to the veteran to
gigantic Highlander, completely add a tass of brandy and a flagon of
dressed, and armed after the fashion claret to the substantial provisions he
of his country, holding in his right had already laid in, to which proposal
hand his drawn sword, with the .point the Captain readily agreed.
When dinner was removed, and the
turned downward, and in the left a servants had withdrawn, excepting
blazing torch made of the bog -pine. tite Laird's page, or henchman, who
This wood, found in the morasses, is
so full of turpentine, that when split remained in the apartment to call for
and dried, it is frequently used in the or bring whatever was wanted, or, in
Highlands instead of candles. The a word, to answer the purposes of a
unexpected and somewhat startling modern bell -wire, the conversation
began to turn upon politics, and the
apparition was seen by the red glare Mate of the country; and Lord Men-
af the torches, which displayed the
wild features, unusual dress; and glit- teith inquired anxiously and particul-
arly of those who bore them, while arty what clans were expected to join
the smoke, eddying up to the roofof the
proposed muster of the, King's
the hall, over -canopied them with a friends.
volume of vapor. Ere the strangers That depends much, my lord, on
m
had recovered from their surprise,the person who lifts the banner," said
Allan stept 'forward, and pointing the Laird; "for roti 'know we High -
with his sheathed broadsword to the ]antlers, when a few clans are as -
are, not easily commanded
torch -bearers, said, in a deep and se
stern tone of voice, "Behold, gentle -
the
one of our own Chiefs, or, to say
men cavaliers, the chandeliers of my.the truth, by any other body. We
brother's house, the ancient fashion have heard a rumor, indeed, .that Col -
of our ancient name; not one of these 'lotto—that is, young Colkitto, to Ala -
men, knows any law but their Chief's suer 1I'Donald, is come over the Kyle
command—Would you dare to cam-
from Ireland, with a body of the Earl
of Antrim's people, and that they had
pare to them in value to the richest got as far as Ardnamurchan. They
ore that ever was dug out of the might have been here before now, but
mine, 'How say you, cavaliers?—is
your wager won or dost?" I, 'suppose, they loitered to plunder
the country as they came along."
"Lost, lost," said Musgrave, gaily— "Will Colkitto not serve yop for a
"my own silver candlesticks are all .leader then?" said Lord ltentei#l,
melted and riding on horseback by v'Colkittol" said Allan M'Aulay,
this time, and I wish the fellatios that scornfully; "who talks of Colkitto?
enlisted were hall as trusty as these. There lives but one man whom -we
—Here, sir," he added to the Chief, will follow, and that is Montrose."
"is your money; it impairs Hall's fin -
"But Montrose, sir," said Sir
ances and mine somewhat, but debts Christopher Hal I, "has not been
of honor must be settled." heard of since our ineffectual attempt
-My 'father's curse upon my fath- to rise in the north of England. I't is
ores son," said Allan, inferrwpting thought he had returned to the King
hint, "9f he receives from you one at 'Oxford for further instruction's."
penny! It is enough that you claim no 'Returned!" said Allan, with a
right to exact from him what is his
own„ scornful laugh; "I could tell ye, but
Lord Monteith eagerly supported it is noth worth my while; ye will
Allan's opinion, and the eltder M'Aul- kn' B scan enough."
ay readily joined, declaring the whole By my honor, Allan," said Lord
to be a fool's business, and not worth Menteith, "you will weary out your
speaking more about. The English- 'friends with this intolerable, froavard,
men, after some courteous opposition, and sullen hamar:—But I know the
were persuaded to regard the wholev•reasonttse
ed' he, laughing; "you
as a joke. - bstv'E not seen Arnot Lyle to -day."
"And now, Allan," said the Laird, Whom did you say b had not
"phase to remove your candles; for, seen?" said Allan, sternly, •
since the Saxon gentlemen have seem Annat Lyle, the dairy queen of
them, they will at their dinner as corn- song and minstrelsy," said Lard Men -
sconces, without scomfisdtilrg them Would to Gad I were never to see
with so much smoke:' her again," said Allan, sighing, "on
Accordingly,. at a sign from Allan, condition the same weird were laid
the living chandeliers, recovering on
their 'broadswords and holding the `And why on me?" said Lard Men -
point erect, marched out of the hall,teith, carelessly.
and left the guests to enjoy their re- Because; said Allan, "it is writ-
freshments. '(Satoh a bet as that men- ten on your forehead, that you are to
tinned in the text is said to have been be rosethe ruin andof each theeero" , saying,
taken by MacDonald of K.e he hupe left room.
epoch, 'Has he heen long in this way?"
who extricated himself in the manner
there narrated.)' asked Lord 'Menteith, addressing his
CHAPTER V brother.
Thereby so fearlesse andso fell ho "About three days," answered An -
grew, guts; "rhe fit is wee] -nigh over, he will
That his •own syre and moister of his be better to -marrow: But come, gen-
guis� .,be better
don let the tappit-hen scraugh,
Did often tremble at'Isis horrid view;•
tbe emptied. The King's health,
And if for dread of hurt would advise King- Charles's health!
The angry beastes not rashly to The health was quickly pledged,
disuse, ;tad as fast succeeded 'by another, and.
Nor too much to provoke; for the another, and another, all of a party
would ]carne cast, and .enforced in alt earnest mea-
nieLion stoup to him in lowly wise, nor. Captain Dalgetty, however,
thought it necessary to enter a pro-
`(A'.'lesson hard), and make the lib -
bard sterne
Leave roaring, when in•rage he for
revenge did carne. `
Spenser.
test. •
"Gentlemen •cavalliers," he said, "I
drink these ltealths, primo, both out
of respect 'to this honorable and 'Hos-
pitable roof -tree, and, seoundo, "be-
cause•'I 'hold it not good to he pre-
ceese in such matters, inter pocula;
but I .protest, agreeable to the .:war-
rand'ice ;granted by this honorable
lord, that it shall be free to me, not-
withstanding my present complais-
ance, to take service with the coven-
anters to -morrow, .provided 'I sball''be.
so minded."
M'Aulay and his English guests
started at this declaration, which
would have certainly bred new dis-
turbance, if Lord Menteith had not
taken alp the affair, and explained the
circumstances and ,conditions. "I
trust," he 'concluded, "we shall be
able to secure Captain Daigetty's as-
sistance to our own party."
"And if not," said the Laird, "I
protest, as the Captain says, that no-
thing that ]las passed this evening,
not even his having eaten my ibread
and salt, and pledged Inc in brandy,
Bourdea'ux, or usquebagh, shall ,pre-
judice my cleaving hint to the neck
bone."
"You shall be heartily welcome,"
said the 'Captain, "provided my sword
cannot 'keep my head, which it has
done in worse dangers' than your
feud is likely to make for me."
Here Lord M'enteith again inter-
posed, and the concord of the com-
pany 'being with no small difficulty
restored, was cemented by some deep
carouses. Lord 'h'Ienteith, however,
contrived to break op the party earl-
ier than was the usage of the Castle
under pretence of fatigue and indis-
position. This was somewhat to the
.disappointment of the valiant Captain,
who, among other habits acquired in
the Low Countries, had acquired both
a disposition to drink, and a capacity
to bear, an exorbitant quantity of
strong liquors.
Their landlord ushered theta in ,per-
son to 'a sort of sleeping gallery, in
which there was a four -post bed, with
tartan curtains, and a number of
cribs, or long hampers, placed along
the wall, three of which, well stuffed
with blooming heather, were pre-
pared for the reception of guests.
"I need not tell your lordship," said
Al Aulay to Lord Menteith, a little
apart, ".our Highland mode of quar-
tering. Only that, not liking you
should sleep in the room alone with
this Dutch landlouper, I have caused
your servants' beds to be made here
in the gallery, By G—d, my lord,
these are times when men go to bed
with a throat ]tale and sound as ever
swallowed 'brandy, and before next
morning it may be gaping like an
oyster -shell."
Lord Menteith thanked him sin-
cerely, saying, "It was just the ar-
rangement he would have requested;
for, although he had yet not the
least apprehension of violence front
Captain Dalgetty, Anderson was a
better kind of person, a sort of gen-
tlean, whom he always liked to have
nearmhis person."
have not seen this Anderson,"
said M'Aulay; "did you hire him in
England?"
"I did so,' said Lord Monteith;
"you will see the man to -morrow; in
the meantime I wish you good-
night."
good-
night"
His host left the apartment after
the evening salutation, and was about
to pay the same compliment to Cap-
tain Dalgetty, but observing hint
deeply engaged in the discussion of
a huge pitcher filled with brandy-
posset he thought it a pity to disturb
him in so laudable an employment,
and took his leave without further
ceremony.
Lord Menteith's two attendants en-
tered the apartment almost immedi-
ately after his departure. The good
Captain, who was now somewhat en-
cum;bored with. his good cheer, began
to find the undoing of the clasps of
his armor a task somewhat difficult,
and addressed Anderson in these
words, interrnpted by a slight hiccup,
—."Anderson, my •good friend, you
may read in Scripture, that Ile that
putteth off his armor should not
boast himself like he that putteth it
on—I believe that is not the right
word of command; but the 'plain
truth of it is, I am like to sleep in
my corselet, like inany an honest fel-
low that never waked again, unless
Von unloose this buckle."
"Undo his armor, Sib'bald," said'
Anderson to the other servant.
',Sy St, Andrew-!" exclaimed the.
Captain, turning round 10 great ast-
onishment, "here's a common fellow
—a stipendiary with four pounds a -
year and a livery cloak, thinks him-
self too ',good' to serve Ritt-Master
Dugald Dalgetty of Drumthwacket,
who Itas studied humanity at the
Mareschal College of Aberdeen, and
served half the princes of Europe!"
"Captain Dalgetty," said. Lord.
.Menteith, whose lot it was to stair]
peacemaker throughout the evening,
'please to understand that Anderson
waits upon no one but myself; but I
will help Sibbald to undo your corse-
let with much pleasure."
"Too much trouble for you, my..
PROFESSIONAL CARDS
Medical
SEAFORTH CLINIC
Dr, E. A. McMaster, M.$., Gradu-
ate of University of: Toronto.
J. D. Colquhoun, M.D., C.M., 'Grad-
uate of 'Dalhousie University, Halifax.
The Clinic is fully equipped with
complete and modern x-ray and other
up-to-date diagnostic and thereuptic
equipment.
Dr. Margaret K. 'Campbell, M.D.,
L.A.B,P., Specialist in Diseases in
In'•fants and Children, will be at the
Clinic last Thursday in every month
from 3 to '6 p.m.
Dr. F. J. R. Forster, Speeialist in
Diseases of the Ear, Eye, Nose and
Throat, will be at the Clinic the first
Tuesday in every month from 4 to
6 p.m.
' Free well.baby clinic will be held
on the second and last Thursday in
every month from 1 to 2 p.m.
W. C. SPROA'T, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Surgery
Phone 90-W. Office John St., Seaforth
DR. H. HUGH ROSS, Physician
and Surgeon Late of London Hos-
pital, London, England. Special at•
tention to diseases of the eye, ear,
nose and throat. Office and residence
behind Dominion Bank, Office Phone
No. 5; Residence Phone 104.
DR. F. J. BURROWS, Office Main
St., Seaforth, over Dominion Bank,
Hours 2-15 and 7 to 8 p.m, and'by ap-
pointment. Residence, •Goderich St.,
two doors west of United Church.
Phone 416,
DR. F. J. R. FORSTER— Eye
Ear, Nose and Throat. Graduate in
Medicine, University of Toronto 1897.
Late Assistant New York Ophthal-
mic and Aural Institute, Moorefield's
Eye, and Golden Square throat hospi-
tals, London. At Commercial Hotel,
Seaforth, third Wednesday in eacif
month from 1.30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Auctioneer.
GEORGE ELLIOTT, Licensed
Auctioneer for the County of Huron,
Arrangements can be made for Sale
Date at The Seaforth News. Charges
moderate and satisfaction guaranteed
F. W. .AHRENS, Licensed Audio'
eer for Perth and Huron Counties.
Sales Solicited. Terms on A•hplication.
Farm Stock, chattels and real estate
property. R. R. No. 4, Mitchell,
Phone 634 r 6, Apply at this office.
WATSON & REID
REAL ESTATE
AND INSURANCE AGENCY
(Successors to James Watson)
MAIN ST„ SEA•FORTEI, ONT.
All kinds of Insurance risks effect-
ed at lowest rates in First -Class
Companies.
THE . McKILLOP
Mutual Fere Insurance Cts
HEAD OFFICE—SEAFORTH, Ont.
OFFICERS
President, Thomas Moylan, Sea
forth; Vice President, William Knox,
Londesboro; Secretary Treasurer, M.
A. Reid, Seaforth.
AGE»TS
F. McKercher, R.R,11, Dublin; John.
E. Pepper, R.R.1, Brucefield; E. R, G.
J'armouth, Brodhagen; James Watt
Blyth; C. F. Hewitt, Kincardine,
Wm. Yeo, Holmesville.
•
DIRECTORS
Alex; Broadfoot, Seaforth No. 3;.
James S'holdice, Walton; Wen, Knox,
Londesboro; George Leonhardt,
Bornholm No. 1; Frank McGregor,
Clintsn No. 5; James Connolly, God-
erich; Alex McEwing, Blyth No. 1;
Thomas Moylan, Seaforth No. 5;
Wnt. R. Archibald, Seaforth No, 4.
Parties desirous to effect insurance
or transact other bossiness, will be
promptly attended to b}' applications
to any of the above named officers
addressed' :to their respective Potts
offices.
lois,": said Dalgetty;"and yet it
would do you no harm/ to practise
how a handsome 'harness is put on
and put off. I can step in and out of
mine like a glove; only to -night, al-
though nat ebrius, I am in the classic
phrase, vino ciboque ,gravatus."
(To ]Pe COntivuey1)