Blazessaysthesharesaresellingalreadyconditionallyonallotment，atsevenandsixpencepremium。"
　　"Thedeucetheyare！Isay，Bob，sincewehavethecardsinourhands，woulditnotbewisetofavourthemwithafewhundredsatthatrate？
　　Abirdinthehand，youknow，isworthtwointhebush，eh？"
　　"Iknownosuchmaximinpoliticaleconomy，"repliedthesecretary。
　　"Areyoumad，Dunshunner？Howarethesharestogoup，ifitgetswindthatthedirectorsaresellingalready？Ourbusinessjustnowisto/bull/theline，notto/bear/it;andifyouwilltrustme，IshallshowthemsuchanoperationontheascendingscaleastheStockExchangehasnotwitnessedforthislongandmanyaday。Thento-morrowIshalladvertiseinthepapersthatthecommittee，havingreceivedapplicationsfortentimestheamountofstock，havebeencompelled，unwillingly，toclosethelists。Thatwillbeaslapinthefacetothedilatorygentlemen，andsenduptheshareslikewildfire。"
　　Bobwasright。Nosoonerdidtheadvertisementappearthanasimultaneousgroanwasutteredbysomehundredsofdisappointedspeculators，who，withunwontedandunnecessarycaution，hadbeenanxioustoseetheirwayalittlebeforecommittingthemselvestooursplendidenterprise。Inconsequence，theyrushedintothemarket，withintenseanxietytomakewhattermstheycouldattheearlieststage，andthesevenandsixpenceofpremiumwasdoubledinthecourseofaforenoon。
　　Theallocationpassedoververypeaceably。Sawley，Heckles，Jobson，Grabbie，andtheCaptainofM’Alcohol，besidesmyself，attended，andtookpartinthebusiness。WewerealsothreatenedwiththepresenceoftheM’CloskieandVich-Induibh;butM’Corkindale，entertainingsomereasonabledoubtsastotheeffectwhichtheircorporealappearancemighthaveupontherepresentativesofthedissentinginterest，hadtakentheprecautiontogetthemsnuglyhousedinatavern，whereanunboundedsupplyofgratuitousFerintoshdeprivedusofthebenefitoftheirexperience。We，however，allottedthemtwentysharesapiece。SirPolloxfenTremenssentahandsome，thoughratherillegible，letterofapology，datedfromanislandinLochLomond，wherehewassaidtobedetainedonparticularbusiness。
　　Mr。Sawley，whoofficiatedasourchairman，waskindenough，beforeparting，topassaveryflatteringeulogiumupontheexcellenceandcandourofallthepreliminaryarrangements。Itwouldnow，hesaid，goforthtothepublicthatthelinewasnot，likesomeothershecouldmention，amerebubble，emanatingfromthestankofprivateinterest，butasolid，lastingsuperstructure，basedupontheprinciplesofsoundreturnforcapital，andseriousevangelicaltruth（hear，hear！）。
　　Thetimewasfastapproachingwhenthegravestonewiththewords"HIC
　　OBIT"chiselleduponitwouldbeplacedattheheadofalltheotherlineswhichrejectedthegrandopportunityofconveyingeducationtothestoker。Thestoker，inhis（Mr。Sawley’s）opinion，hadarighttoasktheall-importantquestion，"AmInotamanandabrother？"
　　（Cheers。）Muchhadbeensaidandwrittenlatelyaboutaworkcalled"TractsfortheTimes。"Withtheopinionscontainedinthatpublicationhewasnotconversant，asitwasconductedbypersonsofanothercommunityfromthattowhichhe（Mr。Sawley）hadtheprivilegetobelong。Buthehopedverysoon，undertheauspicesoftheGlenmutchkinRailwayCompany，toseeanewperiodicalestablished，underthetitleof"TractsfortheTrains。"Heneverforamomentwouldrelaxhiseffortstoknockanailintothecoffinwhich，hemightsay，wasalreadymadeandmeasuredandcloth-coveredforthereceptionofallestablishments;andwiththesesentiments，andtheconvictionthatthesharesmustrise，coulditbedoubtedthathewouldremainafastfriendtotheinterestsofthiscompanyforever？
　　（Muchcheering。）
　　Afterhavingdeliveredthisaddress，Mr。Sawleyaffectionatelysqueezedthehandsofhisbrotherdirectors，anddeparted，leavingseveralofusmuchovercome。As，however，M’CorkindalehadtoldmethateveryoneofSawley’sshareshadbeendisposedofinthemarketthedaybefore，Ifeltlesscompunctionathavingrefusedtoallowthatexcellentmananextrathousandbeyondtheamounthehadappliedfor，notwithstandinghisbroadesthintsandevenprivateentreaties。
　　"Confoundthegreedyhypocrite！"saidBob;"doeshethinkweshalllethimburkethelinefornothing？No——no！lethimgotothebrokersandbuyhissharesback，ifhethinkstheyarelikelytorise。I’llbeboundhehasmadeacoolfivehundredoutofthemalready。"
　　Onthedaywhichsucceededtheallocation，thefollowingentryappearedintheGlasgowsharelists："DirectGlenmutchkinRailway15s。
　　15s。6d。15s。6d。16s。15s。6d。16s。16s。6d。16s。6d。16s。
　　17s。18s。18s。19s。6d。21s。21s。22s。6d。24s。25s。6d。27s。
　　29s。29s。6d。30s。31s。"
　　"Theymightgohigher，andtheyoughttogohigher，"saidBob，musingly;"butthere’snotmuchmorestocktocomeandgoupon，andthesetwoshare-sharks，JobsonandGrabbie，Iknow，willbeinthemarketto-morrow。Wemustnotletthemhavethewhip-handofus。I
　　thinkuponthewhole，Dunshunner，thoughit’slettingthemgodog-
　　cheap，thatweoughttosellhalfoursharesatthepresentpremium，whilethereisacertaintyofgettingit。"
　　"Whynotsellthewhole？I’msureIhavenoobjectionstopartwitheverystiverofthescriponsuchterms。"
　　"Perhaps，"saidBob，"upongeneralprinciplesyoumayberight;butthenrememberthatwehaveavestedinterestintheline。"
　　"Vestedinterestbehanged！"
　　"That’sverywell;atthesametimeitisnousetokillyoursalmoninahurry。Thebullshavedonetheirworkprettywellforus，andweoughttokeepsomethingonhandforthebears;theyaresnuffingatitalready。Icouldalmostswearthatsomeofthosefellowswhohavesoldto-dayareworkingforatime-bargain。"
　　Weaccordinglygotridofacoupleofthousandshares，theproceedsofwhichnotonlyenabledustodischargethedepositloan，butleftusamaterialsurplus。Underthesecircumstancesatwo-handedbanquetwasproposedandunanimouslycarried，thecommencementofwhichI
　　distinctlyremember，butamratherdubiousastotheend。SomanystorieshavelatelybeencirculatedtotheprejudiceofrailwaydirectorsthatIthinkitmydutytostatethatthisentertainmentwasscrupulouslydefrayedbyourselvesand/not/carriedtoaccount，eitherofthepreliminarysurvey，ortheexpensesoftheprovisionalcommittee。
　　Nothingeffectssogreatametamorphosisinthebearingoftheoutermanasasuddenchangeoffortune。TheanemoneofthegardendiffersscarcelymorefromitsunpretendingprototypeofthewoodsthanRobertM’Corkindale，Esq。，SecretaryandProjectoroftheGlenmutchkinRailway，differedfromBobM’Corkindale，theseedyfrequenterof"TheCrow。"Inthedaysofyore，meneyedthesurtout——naplessatthevelvetcollar，andpreternaturallywhiteattheseams——whichBobvouchsafedtowearwithlooksofdimsuspicion，asifsomefaintreminiscence，similartothatwhichissaidtorecallthememoryofaformerstateofexistence，suggestedtothemanotionthatthegarmenthadoncebeentheirown。Indeed，hiswholeappearancewasthenwonderfullysecond-hand。Nowhehadcasthisslough。Amostundeniabletaglioni，withtrimmingsjustborderinguponfrogs，gavedignitytohisdemeanourandtwofoldamplitudetohischest。Thehorneye-glasswasexchangedforoneofpurestgold，thedingyhigh-lowsforwell-
　　waxedWellingtons，thePaisleyfogleforthefabricoftheChinaloom。
　　Moreover，hewalkedwithaswagger，andaffectedincommonconversationapeculiardialectwhichheopinedtobethepurestEnglish，butwhichnoone——exceptabagman——couldbereasonablyexpectedtounderstand。Hispocketswereinvariablycrammedwithsharelists;andhequoted，ifhedidnotcomprehend，themoneyarticlefromthe"Times。"Thissortofassumption，thoughveryludicrousinitself，goesdownwonderfully。Bobgraduallybecameasortofauthority，andhisopinionsgotquotedon’Change。Hewasnoass，notwithstandinghispeculiarities，andmadegooduseofhisopportunity。
　　Formyself，Iboremynewdignitieswithanairofmodestmeekness。A
　　certaindegreeofstarchnessisindispensableforarailwaydirector，ifhemeanstogoforwardinhishighcallingandprosper;hemustabandonalljuvenileeccentricities，andaimattheappearanceofadecidedenemytofreetradeinthearticleofWildOats。Accordingly，asthefirststeptowardrespectability，IeschewedcolouredwaistcoatsandgaveoutthatIwasamarryingman。Nomanunderforty，unlessheisapositiveidiot，willstandforthasatheoreticalbachelor。Itisallnonsensetosaythatthereisanythingunpleasantinbeingcourted。Attention，whetherfrommaleorfemale，ticklesthevanity;andalthoughIhaveareasonable，and，Ihope，notunwholesomeregardforthegratificationofmyotherappetites，Iconfessthatthissamevanityisbyfarthemostpoignantofthewhole。IthereforesurrenderedmyselffreelytothesoftallurementsthrowninmywaybysuchmatronlydenizensofGlasgowaswerepossessedofstockintheshapeofmarriageabledaughters;andwalkedthemorereadilyintotheirtoilsbecauseeveryparty，thoughnominallyforthepurposesoftea，woundupwithahotsupper，andsomethinghotterstillbywayofassistingthedigestion。
　　Idon’tknowwhetheritwasmydeterminedconductattheallocation，myterritorialtitle，oramostexaggeratedideaofmycircumstances，thatworkeduponthemindofMr。Sawley。Possiblyitwasacombinationofthethree;but，sureenoughfewdayshadelapsedbeforeIreceivedaformalcardofinvitationtoateaandserousconversation。NowseriousconversationisasortofthingthatInevershonein，possiblybecausemyearlystudieswereframedinadifferentdirection;butasIreallywasunwillingtooffendtherespectablecoffin-maker，andasIfoundthattheCaptainofM’Alcohol——adecidedtrumpinhisway——hadalsoreceivedasummons，Inotifiedmyacceptance。
　　M’AlcoholandIwenttogether。Thecaptain，anenormousbrawnyCelt，withsuperhumanwhiskersandashockofthefieriesthair，hadfiggedhimselfout，/moremajorum/，inthefullHighlandcostume。IneversawRobRoyonthestagelookhalfsodignifiedorferocious。Heglitteredfromheadtofootwithdirk，pistol，andskean-dhu;andatleastahundredweightofcairngormscastaprismaticgloryaroundhisperson。
　　Ifeltquiteabashedbesidehim。
　　WewereusheredintoMr。Sawley’sdrawing-room。Roundthewalls，andatconsiderabledistancesfromeachother，wereseatedaboutadozencharacters，maleandfemale，allofthemdressedinsable，andwearingcountenancesofwoe。Sawleyadvanced，andwrungmebythehandwithsopiteousanexpressionofvisagethatIcouldnothelpthinkingsomeawfulcatastrophehadjustbefallenhisfamily。
　　"Youarewelcome，Mr。Dunshunner——welcometomyhumbletabernacle。LetmepresentyoutoMrs。Sawley"——andalady，whoseemedtohavebathedintheYellowSea，rosefromherseat，andfavouredmewithaprofoundcurtsey。
　　"Mydaughter——MissSelinaSawley。"
　　Ifeltinmybrainthescorchingglanceofthetwodarkesteyesiteverwasmyfortunetobehold，asthebeauteousSelinalookedupfromtheperusalofherhandkerchiefhem。Itwasapitythattheotherfeatureswerenotcorresponding;forthenosewasflat，andthemouthofsuchdimensionsthataharlequinmighthavejumpeddownitwithimpunity;buttheeyes/were/splendid。
　　Inobediencetoasignfromthehostess，IsankintoachairbesideSelina;and，notknowingexactlywhattosay，hazardedsomeobservationabouttheweather。
　　"Yes，itisindeedasuggestiveseason。Howdeeply，Mr。Dunshunner，weoughttofeelthepensiveprogressofautumntowardasoftandprematuredecay！Ialwaysthink，aboutthistimeoftheyear，thatnatureisfallingintoaconsumption！"
　　"Tobesure，ma’am，"saidI，rathertakenabackbythisstyleofcolloquy，"thetreesarelookingdevilishlyhectic。"
　　"Ah，youhaveremarkedthattoo！Strange！ItwasbutyesterdaythatI
　　waswanderingthroughKelvinGrove，andasthephantombreezebroughtdownthewitheredfoliagefromthespray，Ithoughthowprobableitwasthattheymighterelongrustleoveryoungandglowingheartsdepositedprematurelyinthetomb！"
　　This，whichstruckmeasaverypassableimitationofDickens’spatheticwritings，wasaposer。Indefaultoflanguage，IlookedMissSawleystraightintheface，andattemptedasubstituteforasigh。I
　　wasrewardedwithatenderglance。
　　"Ah，"saidshe，"Iseeyouareacongenialspirit！Howdelightful，andyethowrare，itistomeetwithanyonewhothinksinunisonwithyourself！DoyoueverwalkintheNecropolis，Mr。Dunshunner？Itismyfavouritehauntofamorning。Therewecanweanourselves，asitwere，fromlife，andbeneaththemelancholyyewandcypress，anticipatethesettingstar。HowoftentherehaveIseentheprocession——thefuneralofsomevery，/very/littlechild——"
　　"Selina，mylove，"saidMrs。Sawley，"havethekindnesstoringforthecookies。"
　　I，asindutybound，starteduptosavethefairenthusiastthetrouble，andwasnotsorrytoobservemyseatimmediatelyoccupiedbyaverycadaverousgentleman，whowasevidentlyjealousoftheprogressIwasrapidlymaking。Sawley，withanairofgreatmystery，informedmethatthiswasaMr。DalgleishofRaxmathrapple，therepresentativeofanancientScottishfamilywhoclaimedanimportantheritableoffice。Thename，Ithought，wasfamiliartome，buttherewassomethingintheappearanceofMr。Dalgleishwhich，notwithstandingthesmilesofMissSelina，renderedarivalshipinthatquarterutterlyoutofthequestion。
　　Ihateinjustice，soletmedothehonourindescriptiontotheSawleybanquet。Thetea-urnmostliterallycorrespondedtoitsname。Thetablewasdeckedoutwithdiversplatters，containingseed-cakescutintorhomboids，almondbiscuits，andratafia-drops。Alsoonthesideboardthereweretwosalvers，eachofwhichcontainedacongregationofglasses，filledwithportandsherry。Theformerfluid，asIafterwardascertained，wasofthekindadvertisedas"curious，"andprofferedforsaleatthereasonablerateofsixteenshillingsperdozen。Thebanquet，onthewhole，wasratherpeculiarthanenticing;and，forthelifeofme，Icouldnotdivestmyselfoftheideathattheself-sameviandshadfigured，notlongbefore，asfuneralrefreshmentsatadirgie。NosuchsuspicionseemedtocrossthemindofM’Alcohol，whohithertohadremaineduneasilysurveyinghisnailsinacorner，butatthefirstsymptomoffoodstartedforward，andwasintheactofmakingacleansweepofthechina，whenSawleyproposedthesingularpreliminaryofahymn。
　　Thehymnwasaccordinglysung。IamthankfultosayitwassuchaoneasIneverheardbefore，orexpecttohearagain;andunlessitwascomposedbytheReverendSaundersPedeninanhourofparoxysmonthemoors，Icannotconjecturetheauthor。Afterthisoriginalsymphony，teawasdiscussed，andaftertea，tomyamazement，morehotbrandy-
　　and-waterthanIeverremembertohaveseencirculatedatthemostconvivialparty。Ofcoursethiseffectedaradicalchangeinthespiritsandconversationofthecircle。ItwasagainmylottobeplacedbythesideofthefascinatingSelina，whosesentimentalitygraduallythawedawaybeneaththeinfluenceofsundrysips，whichsheacceptedwithadelicatereluctance。ThistimeDalgleishofRaxmathrapplehadnottheremotestchance。M’Alcoholgotfurious，sangGaelicsongs，andevendeliveredasermoningenuineErse，withoutincurringarebuke;while，formyownpart，ImustneedsconfessthatIwaxedunnecessarilyamorous，andthelastthingIrecollectwasthepressureofMr。Sawley’shandatthedoor，ashedenominatedmehisdearboy，andhopedIwouldsooncomebackandvisitMrs。SawleyandSelina。Therecollectionofthesepassagesnextmorningwasthesurestantidotetomyreturn。
　　Threeweekshadelapsed，andstilltheGlenmutchkinRailwayshareswereatapremium，thoughratherlowerthanwhenwesold。Ourengineer，WattySolder，returnedfromhisfirstsurveyoftheline，alongwithanassistantwhoreallyappearedtohavesomeremoteglimmeringsofthescienceandpracticeofmensuration。Itseemed，fromaverbalreport，thatthelinewasactuallypracticable;andthesurveywouldhavebeencompletedinaveryshorttime，"if，"accordingtotheaccountofSolder，"therehadbeenaehoosintheglen。Buteversin’thedistillerystoppit——andthatwastwayearlastMartinmas——therewasnaaholewhauraChristiancouldlayhishead，mucklelessgetwhitesugartohistoddy，forbythechange-houseattheclachan;andtheauldluckythatkeepititwassairforfochtenwi’
　　thepalsy，andmaistinthedead-thraws。Therewasnaebodyelselivingwithintwal’mileso’theline，barringataxman，alamiter，andabauldie。"
　　WehadsomedifficultyinpreventingMr。Solderfrommakingthisreportopenandpatenttothepublic，whichprematuredisclosuremighthaveinterferedmateriallywiththepreparationofourtraffictables，nottomentionthemarketablevalueoftheshares。WethereforekepthimsteadilyatworkoutofGlasgow，uponaveryliberalallowance，towhich，apparently，hedidnotobject。
　　"Dunshunner，"saidM’Corkindaletomeoneday，"Isuspectthatthereissomethinggoingonaboutourrailwaymorethanweareawareof。
　　Haveyouobservedthatthesharesarepreternaturallyhighjustnow？"
　　"Somuchthebetter。Let’ssell。"
　　"Ididsothismorning，bothyoursandmine，attwopoundstenshillingspremium。"
　　"Thedeuceyoudid！Thenwe’reoutofthewholeconcern。"
　　"Notquite。Ifmysuspicionsarecorrect，there’sagooddealmoremoneyyettobegotfromthespeculation。Somebodyhadbeenbullingthestockwithoutorders;and，astheycanhavenoinformationwhichwearenotperfectlyupto，dependuponit，itisdoneforapurpose。
　　IsuspectSawleyandhisfriends。Theyhaveneverbeenquitehappysincetheallocation;andIcaughthimyesterdaypumpingourbrokerinthebackshop。We’llseeinadayortwo。Iftheyarebeginningabearingoperation，Iknowhowtocatchthem。"
　　And，ineffect，thebearingoperationcommenced。Nextday，heavysaleswereeffectedfordeliveryinthreeweeks;andthestock，asifwater-
　　logged，begantosink。Thesamethingcontinuedforthefollowingtwodays，untilthepremiumbecamenearlynominal。Inthemeantime，BobandI，inconjunctionwithtwoleadingcapitalistswhomweletintothesecret，boughtupsteadilyeverysharethatwasoffered;andattheendofafortnightwefoundthatwehadpurchasedrathermorethandoubletheamountofthewholeoriginalstock。Sawleyandhisdisciples，who，asM’Corkindalesuspected，wereatthebottomofthewholetransaction，havingbearedtotheirhearts’content，nowcameintothemarkettopurchase，inordertoredeemtheirengagements。
　　IhavenomeansofknowinginwhatframeofmindMr。SawleyspenttheSunday，orwhetherhehadrecourseformentalconsolationtoPeden;
　　butonMondaymorninghepresentedhimselfatmydoorinfullfuneralcostume，withaboutaquarterofamileofcrapeswathedroundhishat，blackgloves，andacountenanceinfinitelymoredolefulthanifhehadbeenattendingtheintermentofhisbelovedwife。
　　"Walkin，Mr。Sawley，"saidI，cheerfully。"WhatalongtimeitissinceIhavehadthepleasureofseeingyou——toolongindeedforbrotherdirectors！HowareMrs。SawleyandMissSelina？Won’tyoutakeacupofcoffee？"
　　"Grass，sir，grass！"saidMr。Sawley，withasighlikethegroanofafurnace-bellows。"Weareallflowersoftheoven——weak，erringcreatures，everyoneofus。Ah，Mr。Dunshunner，youhavebeenagreatstrangeratLykewakeTerrace！"
　　"Takeamuffin，Mr。Sawley。Anythingnewintherailwayworld？"
　　"Ah，mydearsir，——mygoodMr。AugustusReginald，——Iwantedtohavesomeseriousconversationwithyouonthatverypoint。Iamafraidthereissomethingfarwrongindeedinthepresentstateofourstock。"
　　"Why，tobesureitishigh;butthat，youknow，isatokenofthepublicconfidenceintheline。Afterall，theriseisnothingcomparedtothatofseveralEnglishrailways;andindividually，Isuppose，neitherofushasanyreasontocomplain。"
　　"Idon’tlikeit，"saidSawley，watchingmeoverthemarginofhiscoffee-cup;"Idon’tlikeit。Itsavourstoomuchofgamblingforamanofmyhabits。Selina，whoisasensiblegirl，hasseriousqualmsonthesubject。"
　　"Thenwhynotgetoutofit？Ihavenoobjectiontoruntherisk，andifyouliketotransactwithme，Iwillpayyoureadymoneyforeveryshareyouhaveatthepresentmarketprice。"
　　Sawleywritheduneasilyinhischair。
　　"Willyousellmefivehundred，Mr。Sawley？Saythewordanditisabargain。"
　　"Atime-bargain？"quaveredthecoffin-maker。
　　"No。Moneydown，andscriphandedover。"
　　"I——Ican’t。Thefactis，mydearyoungfriend，Ihavesoldallmystockalready！"
　　"Thenpermitmetoask，Mr。Sawley，whatpossibleobjectionyoucanhavetothepresentaspectofaffairs？Youdonotsurelysupposethatwearegoingtoissuenewsharesandbringdownthemarket，simplybecauseyouhaverealisedatahandsomepremium？"
　　"Ahandsomepremium！OLord！"moanedSawley。
　　"Why，whatdidyougetforthem？"
　　"Four，three，andtwoandahalf。"
　　"Averyconsiderableprofitindeed，"saidI;"andyououghttobeabundantlythankful。Weshalltalkthismatteroveratanothertime，Mr。Sawley，butjustnowImustbegyoutoexcuseme。Ihaveaparticularengagementthismorningwithmybroker——ratheraheavytransactiontosettle——andso——"
　　"It’snousebeatingaboutthebushanylonger，"saidMr。Sawley，inanexcitedtone，atthesametimedashingdownhiscrape-coveredcastoronthefloor。"Didyoueverseearuinedmanwithalargefamily？Lookatme，Mr。Dunshunner——I’mone，andyou’vedoneit！"
　　"Mr。Sawley！Areyouinyoursenses？"
　　"Thatdependsoncircumstances。Haven’tyoubeenbuyingstocklately？"
　　"IamgladtosayIhave——twothousandGlenmutchkins，Ithink，andthisisthedayofdelivery。"
　　"Well，then，can’tyouseehowthematterstands？ItwasIwhosoldthem！"
　　"Well！"
　　"MotherofMoses，sir！Don’tyouseeI’mruined？"
　　"Bynomeans——butyoumustnotswear。Ipayoverthemoneyforyourscrip，andyoupocketapremium。Itseemstomeaverysimpletransaction。"
　　"ButItellyouIhaven’tgotthescrip！"criedSawley，gnashinghisteeth，whilethecoldbeadsofperspirationgatheredlargelyonhisbrow。
　　"Thatisveryunfortunate！Haveyoulostit？"
　　"No！thedeviltemptedme，andIoversold！"
　　Therewasaverylongpause，duringwhichIassumedanaspectofseriousanddignifiedrebuke。
　　"Isitpossible？"saidI，inalowtone，afterthemannerofKean’soffendedfathers。"What！you，Mr。Sawley——thestoker’sfriend——theenemyofgambling——thefatherofSelina——condescendtosoequivocalatransaction？Youamazeme！ButIneverwasthemantopressheavilyonafriend"——hereSawleybrightenedup。"Yoursecretissafewithme，anditshallbeyourownfaultifitreachestheearsoftheSession。
　　Paymeoverthedifferenceatthepresentmarketprice，andIreleaseyouofyourobligation。"
　　"ThenI’mintheGazette，that’sall，"saidSawley，doggedly，"andawifeandninebeautifulbabesupontheparish！Ihadhopedotherthingsfromyou，Mr。Dunshunner——IthoughtyouandSelina——"
　　"Nonsense，man！NobodygoesintotheGazettejustnow——itwillbetimeenoughwhenthegeneralcrashcomes。Outwithyourcheque-book，andwritemeanorderforfourandtwentythousand。Confoundfractions！Inthesedaysonecanaffordtobeliberal。"
　　"Ihaven’tgotit，"saidSawley。"Youhavenoideahowbadourtradehasbeenoflate，fornobodyseemstothinkofdying。Ihavenotsoldagrossofcoffinsthisfortnight。ButI’lltellyouwhat——I’llgiveyoufivethousanddownincash，andtenthousandinshares;furtherI
　　can’tgo。"
　　"Now，Mr。Sawley，"saidI，"Imaybeblamedbyworldly-mindedpersonsforwhatIamgoingtodo;butIamamanofprinciple，andfeeldeeplyforthesituationofyouramiablewifeandfamily。Ibearnomalice，thoughitisquiteclearthatyouintendedtomakemethesufferer。Paymefifteenthousandoverthecounter，andwecryquitsforever。"
　　"Won’tyoutaketheCamlachieCemeteryshares？Theyaresuretogoup。"
　　"No！"
　　"TwelvehundredCowcaddensWater，withanissueofnewstocknextweek？"
　　"NotiftheydisseminatedtheGauges！"
　　"AthousandRamshornGas——fourpercent。guaranteeduntiltheact？"
　　"Notiftheypromisedtwenty，andmelteddownthesunintheirretort！"
　　"BlawwearyIron？Bestspec。going。"
　　"No，Itellyouonceforall！Ifyoudon’tlikemyoffer，——anditisanuncommonlyliberalone，——sayso，andI’llexposeyouthisafternoonupon’Change。"
　　"Wellthen，there’sacheque。Butmaythe——"
　　"Stop，sir！Anysuchprofaneexpressions，andIshallinsistupontheoriginalbargain。Sothen，nowwe’requits。Iwishyouaverygood-
　　morning，Mr。Sawley，andbetterlucknexttime。Prayremembermetoyouramiablefamily。"
　　Thedoorhadhardlycloseduponthediscomfitedcoffin-maker，andI
　　wasstillinthepreliminarystepsofanextempore/passeul/，intendedastheoutwarddemonstrationofexceedinginwardjoy，whenBobM’Corkindaleentered。Itoldhimtheresultofthemorning’sconference。
　　"Youhavelethimofftooeasily，"saidthepoliticaleconomist。"HadIbeenhiscreditor，Icertainlyshouldhavesackedthesharesintothebargain。Thereisnothinglikerigiddealingbetweenmanandman。"
　　"Iamcontentedwithmoderateprofits，"saidI;"besides，theimageofSelinaovercameme。HowgoesitwithJobsonandGrabbie？"
　　"Jobsonhadpaid，andGrabbiecompounded。Heckles——mayhedieanevildeath！——hasrepudiated，becomealameduck，andwaddled;butnodoubthisestatewillpayadividend。"
　　"Sothen，weareclearofthewholeGlenmutchkinbusiness，andatahandsomeprofit。"
　　"Afairinterestfortheoutlayofcapital——nothingmore。ButI’mnotquitedonewiththeconcernyet。"
　　"Howso？notanotherbearingoperation？"
　　"No;thatcockwouldhardlyfight。ButyouforgetthatIamsecretarytothecompany，andhaveasmallaccountagainstthemforservicesalreadyrendered。ImustdowhatIcantocarrythebillthroughParliament;and，asyouhavenowsoldyourwholeshares，Iadviseyoutoresignfromthedirection，godownstraighttoGlenmutchkin，andqualifyyourselfforawitness。Weshallgiveyoufiveguineasaday，andpayallyourexpenses。"
　　"Notabadnotion。ButwhathasbecomeofM’Closkie，andtheotherfellowwiththejaw-breakingname？"
　　"Vich-Induibh？Ihavelookedaftertheirinterestsasindutybound，soldtheirsharesatalargepremium，anddespatchedthemtotheirnativehillsonannuities。"
　　"AndSirPolloxfen？"
　　"Diedyesterdayofspontaneouscombustion。"
　　Asthecompanyseemedbreakingup，IthoughtIcouldnotdobetterthantakeM’Corkindale’shint，andaccordinglybetookmyselftoGlenmutchkin，alongwiththeCaptainofM’Alcohol，andwequarteredourselvesupontheFactorforGlentumblers。WefoundWattySolderveryshaky，andhisassistantalsolapsingintohabitsofpainfulinebriety。Wesawlittleofthemexceptofanevening，forweshotandfishedthewholeday，andmadeourselvesremarkablycomfortable。Bysingulargoodluck，theplansandsectionswerelodgedintime，andtheBoardofTradeveryhandsomelyreportedinourfavour，witharecommendationofwhattheywerepleasedtocall"theGlenmutchkinsystem，"andahopethatitmightgenerallybecarriedout。Whatthissystemwas，Ineverclearlyunderstood;but，ofcourse，noneofushadanyobjections。Thiscircumstancegaveanadditionalimpetustotheshares，andtheyoncemorewentup。Iwas，however，toocautioustoplungeasecondtimeintoCharybdis，butM’Corkindaledid，andagainemergedwithplunder。
　　Whenthetimecamefortheparliamentarycontest，weallemigratedtoLondon。Istillrecollect，withlivelysatisfaction，themanypleasantdayswespentinthemetropolisatthecompany’sexpense。Therewerejustaneatfiftyofus，andweoccupiedthewholeofahotel。Thediscussionbeforethecommitteewaslongandformidable。Wewereopposedbyfourothercompanieswhopatronisedlines，ofwhichthenearestwasatleastahundredmilesdistantfromGlenmutchkin;butastheyfoundedtheiroppositionupondissentfrom"theGlenmutchkinsystem"generally，thecommitteeallowedthemtobeheard。Wefoughtforthreeweeksamostdesperatebattle，andmightintheendhavebeenvictorious，hadnotourlastantagonist，attheverycloseofhiscase，pointedoutnolessthanseventy-threefatalerrorsintheparliamentaryplandepositedbytheunfortunateSolder。Whythiswasnotdoneearlier，Ineverexactlyunderstood;itmaybethatouropponents，withgentlemanlyconsideration，wereunwillingtocurtailoursojourninLondon——andtheirown。Thedramawasnowfinallyclosed，andafterallpreliminaryexpenseswerepaid，sixpencepersharewasreturnedtotheholdersuponsurrenderoftheirscrip。
　　SuchisanaccuratehistoryoftheOrigin，Rise，Progress，andFalloftheDirectGlenmutchkinRailway。Itcontainsadeepmoral，ifanybodyhassenseenoughtoseeit;ifnot，Ihaveanewprojectinmyeyefornextsession，ofwhichtimelynoticeshallbegiven。
　　THRAWNJANET
　　BY
　　ROBERTLOUISSTEVENSON
　　TheReverendMurdochSouliswaslongministerofthemoorlandparishofBalweary，inthevaleofDule。Asevere，bleak-facedoldman，dreadfultohishearers，hedweltinthelastyearsofhislife，withoutrelativeorservantoranyhumancompany，inthesmallandlonelymanseundertheHangingShaw。Inspiteoftheironcomposureofhisfeatures，hiseyewaswild，scared，anduncertain;andwhenhedwelt，inprivateadmonitions，onthefutureoftheimpenitent，itseemedasifhiseyepiercedthroughthestormsoftimetotheterrorsofeternity。Manyyoungpersons，comingtopreparethemselvesagainsttheseasonoftheholycommunion，weredreadfullyaffectedbyhistalk。HehadasermononIPet。V。8，"Thedevilasaroaringlion，"
　　ontheSundayafterevery17thofAugust，andhewasaccustomedtosurpasshimselfuponthattextbothbytheappallingnatureofthematterandtheterrorofhisbearinginthepulpit。Thechildrenwerefrightenedintofits，andtheoldlookedmorethanusuallyoracular，andwere，allthatday，fullofthosehintsthatHamletdeprecated。
　　Themanseitself，whereitstoodbythewaterofDuleamongsomethicktrees，withtheShawoverhangingitontheoneside，andontheothermanycold，moorishhilltopsrisingtowardthesky，hadbegun，ataveryearlyperiodofMr。Soulis’sministry，tobeavoidedintheduskhoursbyallwhovaluedthemselvesupontheirprudence;andguidmensittingattheclachanalehouseshooktheirheadstogetheratthethoughtofpassinglatebythatuncannyneighbourhood。Therewasonespot，tobemoreparticular，whichwasregardedwithespecialawe。ThemansestoodbetweenthehighroadandthewaterofDule，withagabletoeach;itsbankwastowardthekirktownofBalweary，nearlyhalfamileaway;infrontofit，abaregarden，hedgedwiththorn，occupiedthelandbetweentheriverandtheroad。Thehousewastwostorieshigh，withtwolargeroomsoneach。Itopenednotdirectlyonthegarden，butonacausewayedpath，orpassage，givingontheroadontheonehand，andclosedontheotherbythetallwillowsandeldersthatborderedonthestream。AnditwasthisstripofcausewaythatenjoyedamongtheyoungparishionersofBalwearysoinfamousareputation。Theministerwalkedthereoftenafterdark，sometimesgroaningaloudintheinstancyofhisunspokenprayers;andwhenhewasfromhome，andthemansedoorwaslocked，themoredaringschool-
　　boysventured，withbeatinghearts，to"followmyleader"acrossthatlegendaryspot。
　　Thisatmosphereofterror，surrounding，asitdid，amanofGodofspotlesscharacterandorthodoxy，wasacommoncauseofwonderandsubjectofinquiryamongthefewstrangerswhowereledbychanceorbusinessintothatunknown，outlyingcountry。ButmanyevenofthepeopleoftheparishwereignorantofthestrangeeventswhichhadmarkedthefirstyearofMr。Soulis’sministrations;andamongthosewhowerebetterinformed，somewerenaturallyreticent，andothersshyofthatparticulartopic。Nowandagain，only，oneoftheolderfolkwouldwarmintocourageoverhisthirdtumbler，andrecountthecauseoftheminister’sstrangelooksandsolitarylife。
　　Fiftyyearssyne，whenMr。Souliscam’firstintoBa’weary，hewasstillayoungman，——acallant，thefolksaid，——fu’o’book-learnin’
　　andgrandattheexposition，but，aswasnaturalinsaeyoungaman，wi’naeleevin’experienceinreligion。Theyoungersortweregreatlytakenwi’hisgiftsandhisgab;butauld，concerned，seriousmenandwomenweremovedeventoprayerfortheyoungman，whomtheytooktobeaself-deceiver，andtheparishthatwasliketobesaeillsupplied。Itwasbeforethedayso’theModerates——wearyfa’them;butillthingsarelikeguid——theybaithcomebitbybit，apickleatatime;andtherewerefolkeventhenthatsaidtheLordhadleftthecollegeprofessorstotheiraindevices，an’theladsthatwenttostudywi’themwadhaedonemairandbettersittin’inapeat-bog，liketheirforebearsofthepersecution，wi’aBibleundertheiroxterandaspeerito’prayerintheirheart。Therewasnaedoubt，onyway，butthatMr。Soulishadbeenower-langatthecollege。Hewascarefulandtroubledformonythingsbesidestheaethingneedful。Hehadafecko’bookswi’him——mairthanhadeverbeenseenbeforeina’thatpresbytery;andasairwarkthecarrierhadwi’them，fortheywerea’
　　liketohavesmooredintheDeil’sHagbetweenthisandKilmackerlie。
　　Theywerebookso’divinity，tobesure，orsotheyca’dthem;buttheseriouswereo’opiniontherewaslittleserviceforsaemony，whenthehailo’God’sWordwouldgangintheneukofaplaid。Thenhewadsithalfthedayandhalfthenichtforby，whichwasscantdecent——
　　writin’，naeless;andfirsttheywerefeardhewadreadhissermons;
　　andsyneitprovedhewaswritin’abookhimsel’，whichwassurelynofittin’foraneofhisyearsan’sma’experience。
　　Onyway，itbehoovedhimtogetanauld，decentwifetokeepthemanseforhiman’seetohisbitdenners;andhewasrecommendedtoanauldlimmer，——JanetM’Clour，theyca’dher，——andsaefarlefttohimsel’astobeower-persuaded。Therewasmonyadvisedhimtothecontrar’，forJanetwasmairthansuspeckitbythebestfolkinBa’weary。Langorthat，shehadhadaweantoadragoon;shehadnaecomeforritformaybethrettyyear;andbairnshadseenhermumblin’tohersel’uponKey’sLoaninthegloamin’，whilkwasanuncotimean’placeforaGod-fearin’woman。Howsoever，itwasthelairdhimsel’thathadfirsttauldtheministero’Janet;andinthaedayshewadhaveganeafargatetopleesurethelaird。WhenfolktauldhimthatJanetwassibtothedeil，itwasa’superstitionbyhiswayofit;and’whentheycastuptheBibletohim，an’thewitchofEndor，hewadthreepitdountheirthrapplesthatthirdayswerea’ganeby，andthedeilwasmercifullyrestrained。
　　Weel，whenitgotabouttheclachanthatJanetM’Clourwastobeservantatthemanse，thefolkwerefairmadwi’heran’himthegether;andsomeo’theguidwiveshadnaebettertodaethangetroundherdoor-cheeksandchairgeherwi’a’thatwaskentagain’her，fraethesodger’sbairntoJohnTamson’stwakye。Shewasnaegreatspeaker;folkusuallylethergangheraingait，an’sheletthemgangtheirs，wi’neitherfairguid-e’ennorfairguid-day;butwhenshebuckledto，shehadatonguetodeavethemiller。Upshegot，an’
　　therewasnaeanauldstoryinBa’wearybutshegartsomebodylowpforitthatday;theycouldnaesayaethingbutshecouldsaytwatoit;
　　till，atthehinderend，theguidwivesupandclaughthaudofher，andclawedthecoatsaffherback，andpu’dherdountheclachantothewatero’Dule，toseeifshewereawitchorno，soumordroun。ThecarlineskirledtillyecouldhearherattheHangin’Shaw，andshefochtliketen;therewasmonyaguidwifeburethemarkofherneistdayan’monyalangdayafter;andjustinthehettesto’thecollieshangie，whasuldcomeup（forhissins）butthenewminister。
　　"Women，"saidhe（andhehadagrandvoice），"IchargeyouintheLord’snametolethergo。"
　　Janetrantohim——shewasfairwudwi’terror——an’clangtohim，an’
　　prayedhim，forChrist’ssake，saveherfraethecummers;an’they，fortheirpairt，tauldhima’thatwaskent，andmaybemair。
　　"Woman，"sayshetoJanet，"isthistrue？"
　　"AstheLordseesme，"saysshe，"astheLordmademe，noawordo’
　　’t。Forbythebairn，"saysshe，"I’vebeenadecentwomana’mydays。"
　　"Willyou，"saysMr。Soulis，"inthenameofGod，andbeforeme，Hisunworthyminister，renouncethedevilandhisworks？"
　　Weel，itwadappearthat，whenheaskitthat，shegaveagirnthatfairlyfrichtitthemthatsawher，an’theycouldhearherteethplaydirlthegetherinherchafts;buttherewasnaethingforitbuttheaewayortheither;an’Janetliftedupherhandandrenouncedthedeilbeforethema’。
　　"Andnow，"saysMr。Soulistotheguidwives，"homewithye，oneandall，andpraytoGodforHisforgiveness。"
　　AndhegiedJanethisarm，thoughshehadlittleonherbutasark，andtookheruptheclachantoheraindoorlikealeddyoftheland，an’herscrieghin’andlaughin’aswasascandaltobeheard。
　　Thereweremonygravefolklangowertheirprayersthatnicht;butwhenthemorncam’therewassicafearfellupona’Ba’wearythatthebairnshidtheirsel’s，andeventhemenfolkstoodandkeekitfraetheirdoors。FortherewasJanetcomin’dountheclachan，——herorherlikeness，nanecouldtell，——wi’herneckthrawn，andherheidonaeside，likeabodythathasbeenhangit，andagirnonherfacelikeanunstreakitcorp。By-an’-bytheygotusedwi’it，andevenspeeredathertokenwhatwaswrang;butfraethatdayforthshecouldnaespeaklikeaChristianwoman，butslaveredandplayedclickwi’herteethlikeapairo’shears;andfraethatdayforththenameo’Godcam’
　　neveronherlips。Whilesshewadtrytosayit，butitmichtnaebe。
　　Themthatkennedbestsaidleast;buttheynevergiedthatThingthenameo’JanetM’Clour;fortheauldJanet，bytheirwayo’’t，wasinmucklehellthatday。Buttheministerwasneithertohaudnortobind;hepreachedaboutnaethingbutthefolk’scrueltythathadgienherastrokeofthepalsy;heskelptthebairnsthatmeddledher;andhehadheruptothemansethatsamenicht，anddwalledtherea’hislanewi’herundertheHangin’Shaw。
　　Weel，timegaedby，andtheidlersortcommencedtothinkmairlichtlyo’thatblackbusiness。Theministerwasweelthochto’;hewasayelateatthewriting——folkwadseehiscan’ledoonbytheDuleWateraftertwal’ate’en;andheseemedpleasedwi’himsel’andupsittenasatfirst，thougha’bodycouldseethathewasdwining。AsforJanet，shecam’an’shegaed;ifshedidnaespeakmuckleafore，itwasreasonsheshouldspeaklessthen;shemeddlednaebody;butshewasaneldritchthingtosee，an’nanewadhaemistrystedwi’herforBa’wearyglebe。
　　Abouttheendo’Julytherecam’aspello’weather，thelikeo’’tneverwasinthatcountryside;itwaslownan’hetan’heartless;theherdscouldnaewinuptheBlackHill，thebairnswereower-weariettoplay;an’yetitwasgoustytoo，wi’clapso’hetwundthatrummledintheglens，andbitso’shouersthatslockenednaething。Weayethochtitbuttothun’eronthemorn;butthemorncam’，an’themorn’smorning，anditwasayethesameuncannyweather;saironfolksandbestial。Ofa’thatwerethewaur，nanesufferedlikeMr。Soulis;hecouldneithersleepnoreat，hetauldhiselders;an’whenhewasnaewritin’athiswearybook，hewadbestravaguin’owera’thecountry-
　　sidelikeamanpossessed，whena’bodyelsewasblithetokeepcallerbenthehouse。
　　AbuneHangin’Shaw，inthebieldo’theBlackHill，there’sabitenclosedgrundwi’anironyert;anditseems，intheaulddays，thatwasthekirkyairdo’Ba’weary，andconsecratedbythepapistsbeforetheblessedlichtshoneuponthekingdom。Itwasagreathowff，o’Mr。
　　Soulis’sonyway;therehewouldsitan’considerhissermons’andindedit’sabieldybit。Weel，ashecameowerthewastendo’theBlackHill，aeday，hesawfirsttwa，an’synefower，an’syneseevencorbiecrawsfleein’roundan’roundabunetheauldkirkyaird。Theyflewlaighandheavy，an’squawkedtoitherastheygaed;anditwascleartoMr。Soulisthatsomethinghadputthemfraetheirordinar。Hewasnaeasyfleyed，an’gaedstrauchtuptothewa’s;andwhatsuldhefindtherebutaman，ortheappearanceofaman，sittin’intheinsideuponagrave。Hewasofagreatstature，an’blackashell，andhiseenweresingulartosee。Mr。Soulishadheardtello’blackmen，mony’sthetime;buttherewassomethinguncoabutthisblackmanthatdauntedhim。Hetashewas，hetookakindo’cauldgrueinthemarrowo’hisbanes;butuphespak’fora’that;an’sayshe，"Myfriend，areyouastrangerinthisplace？"Theblackmanansweredneveraword;hegotuponhisfeet，an’begudetohirseltothewa’onthefarside;butheayelookitattheminister;an’theministerstoodan’
　　lookitback;tilla’inameenutetheblackmanwasowerthewa’an’
　　rinnin’forthebieldo’thetrees。Mr。Soulis，hehardlykennedwhy，ranafterhim;buthewassairforjaskitwi’hiswalkan’thehet，unhalesomeweather;andrinashelikit，hegotnaemairthanaglisko’theblackmanamangthebirks，tillhewondountothefooto’thehillside，an’therehesawhimancemair，gaun，hap，step，an’lowp，owerDuleWatertothemanse。
　　Mr。Souliswasnaweelpleasedthatthisfearsomegangrelsuldmak’saefreewi’Ba’wearymanse;an’herantheharder，an’wetshoon，owertheburn，an’upthewalk;butthedeilablackmanwastheretosee。
　　Hesteppedoutupontheroad，buttherewasnaebodythere;hegaeda’
　　owerthegairden，butna，naeblackman。Atthehinderend，andabitfeardaswasbutnatural，heliftedthehaspandintothemanse;andtherewasJanetM’Clourbeforehiseen，wi’herthrawncraig，andnanesaepleasedtoseehim。Andheayemindedsinsyne，whenfirsthesethiseenuponher，hehadthesamecauldanddeidygrue。
　　"Janet，"sayshe，"haveyouseenablackman？"
　　"Ablackman？"quo’she。"Saveusa’！Ye’renowise，minister。
　　There’snaeblackmanina’Ba’weary。"
　　Butshedidnaspeakplain，yemaununderstand;butyam-yammered，likeapownywi’thebitinitsmoo。
　　"Weel，"sayshe，"Janet，iftherewasnaeblackman，IhavespokenwiththeAccuseroftheBrethren。"
　　Andhesatdownlikeanewi’afever，an’histeethchitteredinhisheid。
　　"Hoots！"saysshe，"thinkshametoyoursel’，minister，"an’giedhimadrapbrandythatshekeeptayebyher。
　　SyneMr。Soulisgaedintohisstudyamanga’hisbooks。It’salang，laigh，mirkchalmer，perishin’cauldinwinter，an’noverydryeveninthetopo’thesimmer，forthemansestandsneartheburn。Saedounhesat，andthochtofa’thathadcomean’ganesincehewasinBa’weary，an’hishame，an’thedayswhenhewasabairnan’randaffin’onthebraes;andthatblackmanayeraninhisheidliketheowercomeofasang。Ayethemairhethocht，themairhethochto’theblackman。Hetriedtheprayer，an’thewordswouldnaecometohim;
　　an’hetried，theysay，towriteathisbook，buthecouldnaemak’naemairo’that。Therewaswhileshethochttheblackmanwasathisoxter，an’theswatstooduponhimcauldaswell-water;andtherewasotherwhileswhenhecam’tohimsel’likeachristenedbairnandmindednaething。
　　Theupshotwasthathegaedtothewindowan’stoodglowrin’atDuleWater。Thetreesareuncothick，an’thewaterliesdeepan’blackunderthemanse;andtherewasJanetwashing’thecla’eswi’hercoatskilted。Shehadherbacktotheminister，an’heforhispairt，hardlykennedwhathewaslookin’at。Synesheturnedround，an’shawedherface;Mr。Soulishadthesamecauldgrueastwicethatdayafore，an’
　　itwasborneinuponhimwhatfolksaid，thatJanetwasdeidlangsyne，an’thiswasabogleinherclay-cauldflesh。Hedrewbackapickleandhescannedhernarrowly。Shewastramp-trampin’inthecla’es，croonin’tohersel’;andeh！Gudeguideus，butitwasafearsomeface。Whilesshesanglouder，buttherewasnaemanborno’
　　womanthatcouldtellthewordso’hersang;an’whilesshelookitsidelangdoun，buttherewasnaethingthereforhertolookat。Theregaedascunnerthroughthefleshuponhisbanes;andthatwasHeeven’sadvertisement。ButMr。Soulisjustblamedhimsel’，hesaid，tothinksaeillofapuirauldafflictedwifethathadnaeafreendforbyhimsel’;an’heputupabitprayerforhiman’her，an’drankalittlecallerwater，——forhisheartroseagain’themeat，——an’gaeduptohisnakedbedinthegloaming。
　　ThatwasanichtthathasneverbeenforgotteninBa’weary，thenichto’theseeventeenthofAugust，seventeenhun’er’an’twal’。Ithadbeenhetafore，asIhaesaid，butthatnichtitwashetterthanever。
　　Thesungaeddounamangunco-lookin’clouds;itfellasmirkasthepit;noastar，noabreatho’wund;yecouldnaeseeyourhan’aforeyourface，andeventheauldfolkcuistthecoversfraetheirbedsandlaypechin’fortheirbreath。Wi’a’thathehaduponhismind，itwasgeyandunlikelyMr。Souliswadgetmucklesleep。Helayan’hetummled;thegude，callerbedthathegotintobrunthisverybanes;
　　whilesheslept，andwhileshewaukened;whilesheheardthetimeo’
　　nicht，andwhilesatikeyowlin’upthemuir，asifsomebodywasdeid;
　　whileshethochtheheardboglesclaverin’inhislug，an’whileshesawspunkiesintheroom。Hebehooved，hejudged，tobesick;an’sickhewas——littlehejaloosedthesickness。
　　Atthehinderend，hegotaclearnessinhismind，satupinhissarkonthebedside，andfellthinkin’ancemairo’theblackmanan’
　　Janet。Hecouldnaeweeltellhow，——maybeitwasthecauldtohisfeet，——butitcam’inuponhimwi’aspatethattherewassomeconnectionbetweenthirtwa，an’thateitherorbaitho’themwerebogles。Andjustatthatmoment，inJanet’sroom，whichwasneisttohis，therecam’astampo’feetasifmenwerewars’lin’，an’thenaloudbang;
　　an’thenawundgaedreishlingroundthefowerquartersofthehouse;
　　an’thena’wasancemairasseelentasthegrave。
　　Mr。Souliswasfeardforneithermannordeevil。Hegothistinder-
　　box，an’litacan’le，an’madethreestepso’’towertoJanet’sdoor。Itwasonthehasp，an’hepusheditopen，an’keekedbauldlyin。Itwasabigroom，asbigastheminister’sain，an’plenishedwi’
　　grand，auld，solidgear，forhehadnaethingelse。Therewasafower-
　　postedbedwi’auldtapestry;andabrawcabinetofaik，thatwasfu’
　　o’theminister’sdivinitybooks，an’puttheretobeouto’thegate;
　　an’awheendudso’Janet’slyinghereandthereaboutthefloor。ButnaeJanetcouldMr。Soulissee，noronysignofacontention。Inhegaed（an’there’sfewthatwadhaefollowedhim），an’lookita’round，an’listened。Buttherewasnaethin’tobeheardneitherinsidethemansenorina’Ba’wearyparish，an’naethin’tobeseenbutthemuckleshadowsturnin’roundthecan’le。An’thena’ataincetheminister’sheartplayedduntan’stoodstock-still，an’acauldwundblewamangthehairso’hisheid。Whatenawearysichtwasthatforthepuirman’seen！FortherewasJanethangin’fraeanailbesidetheauldaikcabinet;herheidayelayonhershouther，hereenweresteeked，thetongueprojecketfraehermouth，andherheelsweretwafeetclearabunethefloor。
　　"Godforgiveusall！"thochtMr。Soulis，"poorJanet’sdead。"
　　Hecam’astepnearertothecorp;an’thenhisheartfairwhammledinhisinside。For——bywhatcantripitwadillbeseemamantojudge——shewashingin’fraeasinglenailan’byasinglewurstedthreadfordarnin’hose。
　　It’sanawfu’thingtobeyourlaneatnichtwi’siccanprodigieso’
　　darkness;butMr。SouliswasstrongintheLord。Heturnedan’gaedhiswaysooto’thatroom，andlocketthedoorahinthim;andstepbystepdoonthestairs，asheavyasleed;andsetdoonthecan’leonthetableatthestair-foot。Hecouldnaepray，hecouldnaethink，hewasdreepin’wi’caul’swat，an’naethingcouldhehearbutthedunt-dunt-
　　duntin’o’hisainheart。Hemichtmaybehavestoodthereanhour，ormaybetwa，hemindedsaelittle;whena’o’asuddenheheardalaigh，uncannysteerupstairs;afootgaedtoan’frointhecham’erwhairthecorpwashingin’;synethedoorwasopened，thoughhemindedweelthathehadlockitit;an’synetherewasastepuponthelandin’，an’
　　itseemedtohimasifthecorpwaslookin’owerthetailanddounuponhimwhaurhestood。
　　Hetookupthecan’leagain（forhecouldnaewantthelicht），and，assaftlyaseverhecould，gaedstrauchtouto’themansean’tothefarendo’thecauseway。Itwasayepit-mirk;theflameo’thecan’le，whenhesetitonthegrund，bruntsteedyandclearasinaroom;
　　naethingmoved，buttheDuleWaterseepin’andsabbin’doontheglen，an’yonunhalyfootstepthatcam’plodding’dounthestairsinsidethemanse。Hekennedthefootower-weel，foritwasJanet’s;andatilkastepthatcam’aweethingnearer，thecauldgotdeeperinhisvitals。
　　HecommendedhissoultoHimthatmadean’keepithim;"and，OLord，"
　　saidhe，"givemestrengththisnighttowaragainstthepowersofevil。"
　　Bythistimethefootwascomin’throughthepassageforthedoor;hecouldhearahandskirtalangthewa’，asifthefearsomethingwasfeelin’foritsway。Thesaughstossedan’manedthegether，alongsighcam’owerthehills，theflameo’thecan’lewasblawnaboot;an’
　　therestoodthecorpofThrawnJanet，wi’hergrogramgounan’herblackmutch，wi’theheidayeupontheshouther，an’thegirnstilluponthefaceo’’t，——leevin’，yewadhaesaid——deid，asMr。Soulisweelkenned，——uponthethresholdo’themanse。
　　It’sastrangethingthatthesaulofmanshouldbethirledintohisperishablebody;buttheministersawthat，an’hisheartdidnaebreak。
　　Shedidnaestandtherelang;shebegantomoveagain，an’cam’slowlytowardMr。Souliswhaurhestoodunderthesaughs。A’thelifeo’hisbody，a’thestrengtho’hisspeerit，wereglowerin’fraehiseen。Itseemedshewasgauntospeak，butwantedwords，an’madeasignwi’
　　thelefthand。Therecam’aclapo’wund，likeacat’sfuff;ootgaedthecan’le，thesaughsskrieghedlikefolk’an’Mr。Souliskennedthat，liveordie，thiswastheendo’’t。
　　"Witch，beldam，devil！"hecried，"Ichargeyou，bythepowerofGod，begone——ifyoubedead，tothegrave;ifyoubedamned，tohell。"
　　An’atthatmomenttheLord’sainhandouto’theheevensstrucktheHorrorwhauritstood;theauld，deid，desecratedcorpo’thewitch-
　　wife，saelangkeepitfraethegraveandhirselledroundbydeils，loweduplikeabrunstanespunkandfellinashestothegrund;thethunderfollowed，pealondirlingpeal，therairingrainuponthebacko’that;andMr。Soulislowpedthroughthegardenhedge，andran，wi’
　　skellochuponskelloch，fortheclachan。
　　Thatsamemornin’JohnChristiesawtheblackmanpasstheMuckleCairnasitwaschappin’six;beforeeicht，hegaedbythechange-
　　houseatKnockdow;an’nolangafter，SandyM’Lellansawhimgaunlinkin’dounthebraesfraeKilmackerlie。There’slittledoubtbutitwashimthatdwalledsaelanginJanet’sbody;buthewasawa’atlast;andsinsynethedeilhasneverfashedusinBa’weary。
　　Butitwasasairdispensationfortheminister;lang，langhelayravin’inhisbed;andfraethathourtothis，hewasthemanyekentheday。