A Knight of the Nineteenth Century

stless from the wounds made by the sharp spines-speedily became indignant and fractious, and at last, half

o the mud, his wig, blown comically awry, fall over his eyes, and his spect

to examine the harness to see that nothing was broken, he quietly removed the cause of irritation, and the naturally sedate beast at once became far more composed than her master, for, as a bystander remarked, the venerable doctor was "dreadfully

nnerved to take the reins again, though, had he known it, the mare

spectacles pressed back so that the good man could beam mildly and gratefully upon his supposed preserver. The clerical hat, however, had lost its character

ay of viciousness from the mare, that was now most sheeplike in her docility; and thus, with his confiding v

ervently, "I feel that you have already re

ane demurely; "I think

g for safety.' One is almost tempted to believe that demoniacal possession is not wholly a thing of the

ane gravely, "she certainly did co

their brief journey. The young scapegrace was glad, indeed, that it was brief, for his self-control was fast leaving him, and having bowed a rather abrupt farewell to the doctor, he was not long in reaching one of his haunts

elf had escaped uninjured, which immunity, she believed, must have resulted from the goodness and piety of the deed. But when he at last appeared with step so unsteady and utterance so thick that even she could not mistake the cause, she was bewildered and bitterly disappoin

havior, and the interview which had led to the practical joke, soon became an open secret, and while

s plainly stated. She was also informed that the doctor had become aware of the rude jest of which he had been the subject. Mrs. Haldane was almost furiou

from one who he so emphatic

fuse in her apologies and regrets, but was obliged

y disturbed as it had been on the previous day, and his first emotions were

auging the character of the one with whom he was dealing. He therefore often failed wofully in adaptation, and his sermons occasionally went off into rarefied

acted so improperly. After recalling the whole affair, he became satisfied that he had relied far too much on his own strong logic, and it had seemed to him that it must convince. He had

ne, but his heart was full of commiseration for both herself and her son. He at once sat down, and wrote her a kind and consolatory letter, in which he charged her hereafter to trust less to the "arm of flesh" and more to the "power of God." He also

ed. I fear there was a self-sufficiency in my words and mariner yesterday, which made you conscious of Dr. Marks only, and you had no scruples in dealing with Dr. Marks as you did. If my words and bearing had brought you face to face with my august yet

LON M

ring to go out. She, supposing that he was again about to seek some of his evil haunts, remonstrated sharply; but, without

n was shown into his study, but he welcomed him as cordia

itation and embarras

t the slightest doubt that I was the one to

, and he blew his nose in a rather

eciate this. But no matter about me. How about

you mean, won't y

sire. I should be willing to risk bro

ook his head, and

I have not the slig

ist

the deepest sorrow and commiseration. At the same time he appeared bewildered an

how shall I

possible, and, feeling that he could not trust himself any longer, determined to make his es

n and looked yesterday as you do this ev

s more to blame than yourself, and your part is already f

s much-If I ever do wish to become a Christian, there is no one living to

ur hand bef

e, and in the dark days of temptation that followed, Haldan

I could lead you by loving force into the paths of pleasantness an

werful. Before he had passed through the main street of the town, however, a reckless companion placed an arm in his, and led him to one

me to her a terrible and perplexing problem. As she considered the legi

ysterious providence. I feel that I

hile feeling that something must be done, she was at a loss what to do. Her spiritual adviser h

words, and an adep

ld have employ

ds some mis

dle h

ld friend, is willing to take him, you cannot do better than place your son in his char

a position in his counting-house for young Haldane, who, from a natural de