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equal till times not long gone by, and that the schoolmaster of Markinch is still rather better off than most of his brethren in that respect.

27. How TO MAKE THE BEST OF A BAD BARGAIN.--A week or two ago, a man residing in the parish of Lochmaben, and a maid residing in the parish of Terregles, took it into their wise heads to be married. They were proclaimed accordingly in their respective parishes, and no- body appeared to forbid the bans. But on the day preceding the intended nuptials, the bride, “took the rue," and formed, of a sudden, the                strange resolution of running off with another                 man. The bridegroom soon got an "inkling.” to                 this, and in the agony of the moment was over heard muttering-- “She's fair and she's fause that causes my smart I've lo’ed her meikle and lang; She's broken her vows and she's broken my heart So I may e'en gae hang."                Better thoughts, however, soon prevailed, and                 the man in the end took his revenge in the fol-                 lowing sensible and appropriate manner. He                 had an old flame residing in Newabbey, and to                 her he forth with popped the question. The                 lady was nothing loath, and her lover having                 discovered that the kirk's delays may sometime                 be as fatal as those of the law, determined to                 strike while the iron was hot. In place, there-                 fore, of feeing the session-clerk twice, he hired                 a shandradan and drove of to Lochmaben                 where matrimonial orders are executed, we my