Sir Gibbie

ome in for a derived worthiness, in the memory, yet lingering about the place, of a worthy

as they paid for what they had, they might get as drunk as they pleased, without the smallest offence to Mistress Croale. But if the least unquestionable infringement of her rules occurred, she would pounce upon the shameless one with sudden and sharp reproof. I doubt not that, so doing, she cherished a hope of recommending herself above, and making

on account of her "trouble," she said-by which she meant some complaint, speaking of it as if it were generally known, although of the nature of it nobody had an idea. The truth was that, like her customers, she also was going down the hill, justifying to herself every step of her descent. Until lately, she had been in the way

m do for the sinners of our day? I am not sure that many like Mistress Croale w

eturned to the charge, but was prevented by the immediately following entrance of the Rev. Clement Sclater-the minister of her parish, recently appointed. He was a man between young and middle-aged, an honest fellow, zealous to perform the duties of his office, but with notions of religion very beggarly. How coul

ll?" she said

nce. Then she saw a man unknown to her, evidently, from his white neckcloth and funereal garments, a mi

peated, with more respect, but

t gained an object of ambition can be humble?-"it is that you shut up this

it nor a perris!" she cried, flaring up in wrath both at the nature and rudeness of the address.

was your shop I spoke of," said the m

e wad be o' fell sma' consideration wantin' the

gainst yours more than any other sho

compare) my hoose to Jock Thamson's or

ood w

interrupted Mistress Croale, forgetting wh

arning that I mean to do what I can to shut up all such houses as yours in my parish. I tell you of it, not from the le

ion, and cause her much trouble by vexatious complaint, even to the peril of her license. She must tak

hie thrapples i' the kingdom, sir; but drouth maun drink, an' ye ken, sir,

r' lang," retorted the minister, rela

ls war justifeed i' their objection to bein' co

. An acquaintance with Scripture goes far with a Scotch ecclesiastic. Besides, the man had a re

mething for them, deils 'at they war, 'at they pref

nclined to follow the path of reflection it indicated,

turs sud fill themsels wi' dacency-an' that's what I see till. Gang na to the magistrate, sir; but as sune's ye hae gotten testimony-guid testimony though, sir-'at there's been disorder or immorawlity i' my hoose, come ye to me, an' I'll gie ye my han' to paper on't this meenute, 'at I'll gie up my chop, an' lea' yer perris-an' may ye sune ge

unting his wooden horse, and setting it rocking, "find themselves where there wil

be, I confess I'm whiles laith to think. Only gien I was you

mers only I have to care for. Your soul is as precious in m

sted Mrs. Croale, interrogatively, and with j

handsome and rich young widow, the rumour of whose acceptableness to Mr. Sclater had reached Mistress Croale's ear before ever she had seen the minister himself. An unmistakable sha

o' the same vailue i' your eyes as the sowl o' sic a fine bonny, winsome leddy as yon. In trouth," she added, and shook her hea

id Mr. Sclater, glad to follow the talk down another turning, but c

nd the categorical stocka

r o' the grate, an' haudin' no lass frae the kirk; I confess, gien ye wull be speirin', 'at I dinna read my buik sae aften as maybe I sud; but, 'deed, sir, tho' I says't 'at sud haud my tongue, ye hae waur folk i' yer perris nor Benjie Croale's widow; an' gien ye wunna hae a drap to weet yer ain whustle for the holy wark ye hae afore ye the morn's mornin', I maun gang an' mak my bed, for the lass is laid up wi' a bealt thoom, an' I maunna lat a' thing gang to dirt an' green bree; though I'm sure it's rale kin' o' ye to come to luik efter me, an' that's mair nor Maister Ren

s brain, and rather perplexed what to say in reply with any hope of reaching her, "I don't doubt a word

ye, sir, ony time ye wad dee me the fawvour to luik in as ye're pass

"But mind," he added, "I don't give up my point for all that; and I hope

he shop rather hurriedly,

r force on mere self-justification, and had no energy left for vain-glory. It was with a sad sigh she set about the work of the house. Nor would it have comforted her much to assure her that hers was a better defence than any distiller in the country could make. Even the whisky itself gave her little relief; it seemed to scald both stomach and conscience, and she vowed never to take it again. But alas! this time is never the time for self-denial; it is always the next time. Abstinence is so much more pleasant to contemplate upon the ot