EDWARD “A MYSTERY.”
“Ye’re a mystery,” said the man.
“Perhaps I may be,” answered Edward; “but I’ll just tell you three things, whether you may understand the ‘mystery’ or not. My neighbours in Banff say of me, that ‘that man surely means to tak’ the world by speed o’ fit.’ My shopmates say, that ‘Tam is just the lad for taking time by the forelock;’ and many of the inhabitants say, ‘Whoever may be seen lounging about at the lazy corners, you’ll never see Edward among them.’ Now, these are three little nuts, which I hope you will crack amongst your shopmates; and I hope they will do them good.”
A LADY VISITOR.
One day two ladies came to see the Exhibition. They looked over the collection, and one of them came up to Edward, and looked him straight in the face. She asked him if he belonged to Aberdeen.
“Well,” he replied, “although I was not born in Aberdeen, still I may say I belong to it. My mother was an Aberdeen woman, and I was brought up here, until I went to Banff,” “Ah,” said the lady, “I thought so. Your countenance and appearance are very much the same as they were when I last saw you.” “Indeed!”
“Were you not at one time a private in the Aberdeenshire militia?” “I was; but what of that?” “Allow me to explain: Do you remember running out of the ranks one day while at drill, and flying after a butterfly?” “I do,” said Edward.
“And of being pursued and taken prisoner by a corporal and four men of your company, when you were brought up before the officer, who gave you your liberty?”
“Yes,” said Edward, “all that is true.” “And perhaps you remember that there was a group of ladies with the officer?” “Oh yes, I remember that.” “Well, then, I was one of those ladies; and I first proposed to the others that we should intercede with the captain to let you off.”
The lady then proceeded to explain that she herself was an entomologist, and had been greatly pleased with the collection. Edward, on his part, thanked her most cordially for the good service she had been able to do for him on the links that day, now so long past. “But now,” she added, “as one good turn deserves another, will you come and take your tea and supper with us some evening?” Edward was thunderstruck at this proposal, for he was an exceedingly shy and bashful man, though he had been such a “hempy” in his youth. “Oh no!” said he, “I cannot venture on taking such a liberty.” “I’ll have no denial,” said the lady; “there will be only a few friends who wish to make your acquaintance.”