The Highland monthly - National Library of Scotland

WiUie Gillies. yy
when the young hopeful minister brought home his bride.
There is often a history in furniture which tells strange ups
and downs. Here was a most affecting one, and it somewhat
saddened me to think how much depended on the
recovery of Willie, in order to elevate the red bed to the
dignity to which it was originally intended. George was a
good-natured boy of no particular character, and what
could the weak widow, or even the energetic Kate do in
fighting with the world, except under the shield of the
manly Willie. I resolved, at any rate, that whatever the
medical man recommended he should have, in spite of his
pride and scruples. I had about twenty pounds in my
pocket, the amount received for articles published in a
cheap magazine. On leaving home my sister-in-law told
me to devote this sum to the decoration of my outer man.
I resolved, however, to devote it to a better purpose, though
I should go in one old coat to the end of my life. Willie
resisted in vain. I was firm, and, I am afraid, told some
white fibs about my wealth and prospects. The thing was
done, and I departed, promising, on my return in the course
of a month or so, to call at the village again, and see how
Willie improved. I ain quite sure I kept up my official
dignity, talked wisely to parochial authorities, and drank
toddy with ministers and dominies as well in my old coat
as I could have done in a new one.