The Minister and his Man.

Te Aroha News, Volume I, Issue 43, 29 March 1884, Page 4

The Minister and his Man.

" I'm afraid (said Mr Lorraine) we are behind the times, Solomon. We are both of us becoming old, the young folks are growing up on every side. There's marrying and ohristening everywhere, and still we two remain alone. In a little while, Soloman, we shall be called to our account, without having known, either of us, the blessing that woman's love can give, or the comfort that comes with the cry of bairns." "Ye mind what St. Paul said, sir?" said the other, doggedly, "and women are kittle kattle !" " I suppose that's good philosophy, but it's small comfort, Solomon, my man. I think I should have been a happier man if I had married," The sexton smiled incredulously and shook his head ; then, Avith as near an approach to a smile as his withered features could command, he said slily and sarcastically, "It's never owre late to men', sir. You're a hale man yet, Lord kens ; and three or fower I wot o' wad jist snap at ye ! There's Miss Dalrymple o' the Mearns, and the Weedow Burness, and " "No, no, Solomon," said Mr Lorraine, laughing, "you over-rate my chances; and whether or no, I'm far too old to try matrimony now. But it's a lonesome life, a lonesome life ! Whenever I hear the schoolbairns crying in the street I envy those that have little ones to dandle upon the knee. I have no kith or kin— nay, scarce a friend in all the world." "Ye haeme, sir," returned Solomon, in alow voice. "Not that I wad liken mysel' to a meenister and a scholar like yoursel' ; but I hae been your clerk for nigh thirty years, and auld acquaintance is kindly, like clean linen. Atweel, is it no better to be a free man than to have a scolding wife, or bairns that gang the deil's road, like mony i* the parish? And it you wad take a glass noo an' then to cheer your heart, you'd find it a better comforter than tane or tither !" — " Annan Water." By Robert Buchanan.