“That I’ll very willingly do, Sir John,” replied Mr Harrison, smiling in his turn; “but I must tell you plainly, that I have some doubts of being able to prevail on Jane to meet you at this particular moment. She has one most serious objection to seeing you.”
“Indeed!” replied Sir John, with an earnestness that betokened some alarm. “Pray, what is that objection?”
“Why, sir,” rejoined the latter, “allow me to reply to that question by asking you another. Have you any recollection of carrying away out of my house, on the last night you were here, a pocketful of cheese and cold beef?”
“Oh! perfectly, perfectly,” said Sir John, laughing, yet somewhat perplexed. “Miss Harrison was kind enough to furnish me with the very liberal supply of the articles you allude to; cramming them into my pocket with her own fair hands.”
“Just so,” replied Mr Harrison, now laughing in his turn. “Well, then, to tell you a truth, Sir John, Jane is so dreadfully ashamed of that circumstance, that she positively will not face you.”
“Oh ho! is that the affair?” exclaimed the delighted baronet. “Why, then, if she won’t come to us, we’ll go to her; so lead the way, Mr Harrison, if you please.” Mr Harrison did lead the way, and Jane was caught.
Beyond this point our story need not be prolonged, as here all its interest ceases. We have only now to add, then, that the winning manners, gentle dispositions, and very elegant person of Sir John Gowan, very soon completed the conquest he aimed at; and Jeanie Harrison, in due time, became Lady Gowan.
PEAT-CASTING TIME.
By Thomas Gillespie.
In the olden times, there were certain fixed occasions when labour and frolic went hand in hand—when professional duty and kindhearted glee mutually kissed each other. The “rockin’” mentioned by Burns—