Page:History of James Allan.pdf/5

 increased, he the more bitterly lamented his early aversion to learning, and subsequently formed the laudable resolution of returning to his native village for the purpose of acquiring the elements of a common education. Unfortunately for young Allan, the schoolmaster was ill, and being thus left without any regular employment, he resumed his old practices. He joined the dissipated groups of the village alehouse, where his music and his wit gained him the loudest applause.

During his visit he was precipitated into an unfortunate marriage with a young woman, who, by her violent temper, thriftless housewifery, and unfaithful conduct, rendered him miserable. Allan in consequence left her, and returned to Alnwick Castle, resolving to forget his faithless wife;—but a sense of his wrongs haunted his mind—he drank deeply, neglected his duty at the castle, and became so regardless of his character that his company was shunned, and finding himself thus insulted, he determined to change his scene of action, and enlisted as a substitute into the Northumberland militia. The restraints of a military life not suiting his wayward habits, in a short time he deserted, and secreted himself in Newcastle. One evening, strolling down the Quayside, he saw his wife Fanny stepping ashore from a ship, accompanied by a sailor: Allan made her a low bow, and being certain she, his only enemy, had quitted Rothbury, he immediately bent his course home. Allan’s father and mother received him with the greatest affection, and for a time he was very cautious of going out. However, there having to be an otter-hunt in the neighbourhood, he could not resist the temptation of enjoying the sport; and during the hunt, the son of the High constable having said something to vex him, he tumbled the youth into the Coquet. The son, in revenge, persuaded his father to arrest him as a deserter, and a posse of constables was sent to secure him. As they were approaching the house, Jemmy’s step-mother saw them, and instantly bolted the door. One of the constables begged the old people to give up the offender, as his escape was impossible, when she replied, “Jemmy’s off to Shields to take shipping for Lunnon.” “I am glad of that,” said the wily constable, “but we will just look in to satisfy all parties.” In the mean time Jemmy made a noise at the back window, as if he meant to get out there, which the party hearing, they all ran backward