The Highland monthly - National Library of Scotland

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DUNCAN CAMPBELL, Editor, "Northern Chronicle,"
I
AND
ALEXANDER MACBAIN, M.A., F.S.A.Scor.
No. 38. MAY, 1892. Vol. IV.
WILLIE GILLIES.
CHAPTER in.
AM the most unpunctual correspondent in the world.
I cannot conquer the failing. I have lost through it
some of my best friends. My sister-in-law says it's lucky
for me that I drop my acquaintances as easily as I pick
them up. That is right for her to say, who knows not how
often I am seized with painful remorse when, from the
hidden chambers of memory, the shadows of dear friends
of the past step out in the watches of the night, in the
midst of the minister's sermon, and on other times when
my head is at rest, to recall broken promises, and shake
their angry locks at me. Now, were I to say that the fail-
ing is owing to a procrastinating habit and defect of
memory that I cannot overcome, will any of my friends
believe it? or shall I be forgiven if I prove that I suffer
more pain for my shortcomings than my rude forgetfulness
ever inflicted ? Indeed, I fear no man will listen to such pal-
liatives as an e.xcuse for neglecting him, although he might
readily admit it as a good one in the case of others. Self-
esteem is right to make the exception. And I freely con-
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