Page:Martha Spreull by Zachary Fleming.pdf/131

Rh "Make him a newspaper editor," says Maister Fleming; "there's not much belief of any kind needed for that."

Whereupon I fires up—being literary mysel', and kennin', as I did, some real dacent men connected wi' newspapers.

"Na, na," says I, "sae far as that goes, he wud be mair suited for the law, but I canna thole jesting on a subject that has cost me sae muckle."

So at lang and last, as the callant had shown great aptitude in mathymatics, and wis unco ready at figures, we determined to mak' him a chartered accountant; and Maister Fleming used his influence, and got him apprenticed in a first-rate office, that had a great name for floating joint-stock companies.

Weel, the suddenness an' the happiness o' this affair mak' me feel unco strange, and I think I havena muckle mair to say, as a single wumman. Peter Spale, wha is still to the fore, but gey donsie, sent me a beautifu' luggie, made by his ain hand, as a marriage present; and I maunna forget to tell ye that Dr. Threshie is gaun to act as oor best man. I think, however, that name is a mistake, for I am sure the best man to me will be Maister Fleming himsel'.

Noo, I maun bid ye guid-bye, for by the time this gets into print and reaches the reader, my name will nae langer be.