the annals of the parish-第34章
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tation； at the sight of which he gave only a shrill whistle； and began to laugh at the idea of the men fearing to take him the news； as if he had not fortune and philosophy enough； as he called it； to withstand much greater misfortunes。
CHAPTER XXXVIII YEAR 1797
When I have seen in my walks the irrational creatures of God； the birds and the beasts； governed by a kindly instinct in attendance on their young； often has it come into my head that love and charity； far more than reason or justice； formed the tie that holds the world； with all its jarring wants and woes； in social dependence and obligation together； and； in this year； a strong verification of the soundness of this notion was exemplified in the conduct of the poor haverel lassie Meg Gaffaw； whose naturality on the occasion of her mother's death I have related at length in this chronicle。
In the course of the summer； Mr Henry Melcomb； who was a nephew to Mr Cayenne； came down from England to see his uncle。 He had just completed his education at the college of Christ Church； in Oxford； and was the most perfect young gentleman that had ever been seen in this part of the country。
In his appearance he was a very paragon； with a fine manly countenance； frank…hearted； blithe； and； in many points of character； very like my old friend the Lord Eaglesham； who was shot。 Indeed； in some respects； he was even above his lordship； for he had a great turn at ready wit； and could joke and banter in a most agreeable manner。 He came very often to the manse to see me； and took great pleasure in my company； and really used a freedom that was so droll； I could scarcely keep my composity and decorum with him。 Among others that shared in his attention； was daft Meg Gaffaw； whom he had forgathered with one day in coming to see me； and after conversing with her for some time； he handed her； as she told me herself； over the kirk…stile like a lady of high degree； and came with her to the manse door linking by the arm。
From the ill…timed daffin of that hour； poor Meg fell deep in love with Mr Melcomb； and it was just a playacting to see the arts and antics she put in practice to win his attention。 In her garb； she had never any sense of a proper propriety； but went about the country asking for shapings of silks and satins； with which she patched her duds； calling them by the divers names of robes and negligees。 All hitherto； however； had been moderation； compared to the daffadile of vanity which she was now seen； when she had searched； as she said； to the bottom of her coffer。 I cannot take it upon me to describe her； but she kythed in such a variety of cuffs and ruffles； feathers； old gumflowers； painted paper knots； ribbons； and furs； and laces； and went about gecking and simpering with an old fan in her hand； that it was not in the power of nature to look at her with sobriety。
Her first appearance in this masquerading was at the kirk on the Sunday following her adventure with Mr Melcomb； and it was with a sore difficulty that I could keep my eyes off her； even in prayer； and when the kirk skailed； she walked before him； spreading all her grandeur to catch his eye； in such a manner as had not been seen or heard of since the prank that Lady Macadam played Miss Betty Wudrife。
Any other but Mr Melcomb would have been provoked by the fool's folly； but he humoured her wit； and； to the amazement of the whole people； presented her his hand； and allemanded her along in a manner that should not have been seen in any street out of a king's court； and far less on the Lord's day。 But； alas！ this sport did not last long。 Mr Melcomb had come from England to be 'married' to his cousin； Miss Virginia Cayenne； and poor daft Meg never heard of it till the banns for their purpose of marriage was read out by Mr Lorimore on the Sabbath after。 The words were scarcely out of his mouth； when the simple and innocent natural gave a loud shriek； that terrified the whole congregation； and ran out of the kirk demented。 There was no more finery for poor Meg； but she went and sat opposite to the windows of Mr Cayenne's house； where Mr Melcomb was； with clasped hands and beseeching eyes； like a monumental statue in alabaster； and no entreaty could drive her away。 Mr Melcomb sent her money； and the bride many a fine thing； but Meg flung them from her； and clasped her hands again； and still sat。 Mr Cayenne would have let loose the house…dog on her； but was not permitted。
In the evening it began to rain； and they thought that and the coming darkness would drive her away； but when the servants looked out before barring the doors； there she was in the same posture。 I was to perform the marriage ceremony at seven o'clock in the morning； for the young pair were to go that night to Edinburgh； and when I went； there was Meg sitting looking at the windows with her hands clasped。 When she saw me she gave a shrill cry； and took me by the hand； and wised me to go back； crying out in a heart…breaking voice； 〃O； Sir！ No yetno yet！ He'll maybe draw back； and think of a far truer bride。〃 I was wae for her and very angry with the servants for laughing at the fond folly of the ill…less thing。
When the marriage was over； and the carriage at the door； the bridegroom handed in the bride。 Poor Meg saw this； and jumping up from where she sat； was at his side like a spirit； as he was stepping in； and； taking him by the hand； she looked in his face so piteously； that every heart was sorrowful； for she could say nothing。 When he pulled away his hand； and the door was shut； she stood as if she had been charmed to the spot； and saw the chaise drive away。 All that were about the door then spoke to her； but she heard us not。 At last she gave a deep sigh； and the water coming into her eye； she said； 〃The wormthe worm is my bonny bridegroom； and Jenny with the many…feet my bridal maid。 The mill…dam water's the wine o' the wedding； and the clay and the clod shall be my bedding。 A lang night is meet for a bridal； but none shall be langer than mine。〃 In saying which words； she fled from among us； with heels like the wind。 The servants pursued； but long before they could stop her； she was past redemption in the deepest plumb of the cotton…mill dam。
Few deaths had for many a day happened in the parish； to cause so much sorrow as that of this poor silly creature。 She was a sort of household familiar among us； and there was much like the inner side of wisdom in the pattern of her sayings； many of which are still preserved as proverbs。
CHAPTER XXXIX YEAR 1798
This was one of the heaviest years in the whole course of my ministry。 The spring was slow of coming； and cold and wet when it did come； the dibs were full； the roads foul； and the ground that should have been dry at the seed…time； was as claggy as clay； and clung to the harrow。 The labour of man and beast was thereby augmented； and all nature being in a state of sluggish indisposition； it was evident to every eye of experience that there would be a great disappointment to the hopes of the husbandman。
Foreseeing this； I gathered the opinion of all the most sagacious of my parishioners； and consulted with them for a provision against the evil day； and we spoke to Mr Cayenne on the subject； for he had a talent by common in matters of mercantile management。 It was amazing； considering his hot temper； with what patience he heard the grounds of our apprehension； and how he questioned and sifted the experience of the old farmers； till he was thoroughly convinced that all similar seed…times were ever followed by a short crop。 He then said； that he would prove himself a better friend to the parish than he was thought。 Accordingly； as he afterwards told me himself； he wrote off that very night to his correspondents in America； to buy for his account all the wheat and flour they could get； and ship it to arrive early in the fall； and he bought up likewise in countries round the Baltic great store of victual； and brought in two cargoes to Irville on purpose for the parish； against the time of need； making for the occasion a garnel of one of the warehouses of the cotton…mill。
The event came to pass as had been foretold： the harvest fell sh
