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birch to the breech of the boy。 Nothing； therefore； for some time； indeed；
throughout the year； came of the matter； but her ladyship； when Mrs
Balwhidder soon after called on her； said that I was a nose…of…wax； and
that she never would speak to me again； which surely was not a polite
thing to say to Mrs Balwhidder； my second wife。
This stramash was the first time I had interposed in the family
concerns of my people； for it was against my nature to make or meddle
with private actions saving only such as in course of nature came before
the session； but I was not satisfied with the principles of Lady Macadam；
and I began to be weary about Kate Malcolm's situation with her ladyship；
whose ways of thinking I saw were not to be depended on； especially in
those things wherein her pride and vanity were concerned。 But the time
ran onthe butterflies and the blossoms were succeeded by the leaves and
the fruit； and nothing of a particular nature farther molested the general
tranquillity of this year； about the end of which； there came on a sudden
frost； after a tack of wet weather。 The roads were just a sheet of ice； like
a frozen river； insomuch that the coal…carts could not work； and one of our
cows； （Mrs Balwhidder said； after the accident； it was our best； but it was
not so much thought of before；） fell in coming from the glebe to the byre；
and broke its two hinder legs； which obligated us to kill it； in order to put
the beast out of pain。 As this happened after we had salted our mart； it
occasioned us to have a double crop of puddings； and such a show of hams
in the kitchen； as was a marvel to our visitors to see。
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ANNALS OF THE PARISH
CHAPTER XIII YEAR 1772
On New…Year's night； this year； a thing happened； which； in its own
nature； was a trifle； but it turned out as a mustard…seed that grows into a
great tree。 One of the elders； who has long been dead and gone； came to
the manse about a fact that was found out in the clachan； and after we had
discoursed on it some time； he rose to take his departure。 I went with
him to the door with the candle in my handit was a clear frosty night；
with a sharp wind； and the moment I opened the door； the blast blew out
the candle； so that I heedlessly； with the candlestick in my hand； walked
with him to the yett without my hat； by which I took a sore cold in my
head； that brought on a dreadful toothache； insomuch； that I was obligated
to go into Irville to get the tooth drawn； and this caused my face to swell
to such a fright； that； on the Sabbath…day； I could not preach to my people。
There was； however； at that time； a young man； one Mr Heckletext； tutor
in Sir Hugh Montgomerie's family； and who had shortly before been
licensed。 Finding that I would not be able to preach myself； I sent to him；
and begged he would officiate for me； which he very pleasantly consented
to do； being； like all the young clergy； thirsting to show his light to the
world。 'Twixt the fore and afternoon's worship； he took his check of
dinner at the manse； and I could not but say that he seemed both discreet
and sincere。 Judge； however； what was brewing； when the same night Mr
Lorimore came and told me； that Mr Heckletext was the suspected person
anent the fact that had been instrumental； in the hand of a chastising
Providence； to afflict me with the toothache； in order； as it afterwards
came to pass； to bring the hidden hypocrisy of the ungodly preacher to
light。 It seems that the donsie lassie who was in fault； had gone to the
kirk in the afternoon； and seeing who was in the pulpit； where she
expected to see me； was seized with the hysterics； and taken with her
crying on the spot； the which being untimely； proved the death of both
mother and bairn； before the thing was properly laid to the father's charge。
This caused a great uproar in the parish。 I was sorely blamed to let
such a man as Mr Heckletext go up into my pulpit； although I was as
ignorant of his offences as the innocent child that perished； and； in an
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ANNALS OF THE PARISH
unguarded hour； to pacify some of the elders； who were just distracted
about the disgrace； I consented to have him called before the session。 He
obeyed the call； and in a manner that I will never forget； for he was a
sorrow of sin and audacity； and demanded to know why； and for what
reason； he was summoned。 I told him the whole affair in my calm and
moderate way； but it was oil cast upon a burning coal。 He flamed up in a
terrible passion； threepit at the elders that they had no proof whatever of
his having had any trafficking in the business； which was the case； for it
was only a notion； the poor deceased lassie never having made a
disclosure： called them libellous conspirators against his character； which
was his only fortune； and concluded by threatening to punish them； though
he exempted me from the injury which their slanderous insinuations had
done to his prospects in life。 We were all terrified； and allowed him to go
away without uttering a word； and sure enough he did bring a plea in the
courts of Edinburgh against Mr Lorimore and the elders for damages； laid
at a great sum。
What might have been the consequence； no one can tell； but soon after
he married Sir Hugh's house…keeper； and went with her into Edinburgh；
where he took up a school； and； before the trial came on； that is to say；
within three months of the day that I myself married them； Mrs Heckletext
was delivered of a thriving lad bairn； which would have been a witness for
the elders； had the worst come to the worst。 This was； indeed； we all
thought； a joyous deliverance to the parish； and it was a lesson to me never
to allow any preacher to mount my pulpit； unless I knew something of his
moral character。
In other respects； this year passed very peaceably in the parish： there
was a visible increase of worldly circumstances； and the hedges which had
been planted along the toll…road； began to put forth their branches； and to
give