Part 26 (1/2)
The Lord has smitten, and it is for us to bear;” and shaking her hand cordially, he left the house.
”G.o.d's ways are not our ways,” said Katie to herself, ”and He kens hoo to mak' a way o' escape out o' every trial.”
Love ceased to knock for an entrance into the minister's heart; for the door was open and love had entered, bringing in its own light and peace.
CHAPTER XXIX
THE MINISTER PURE AND PEACEABLE
As the minister walked along the street, with the old umbrella, his inseparable companion in all kinds of weather, wet or dry, under his arm, and with his head rather bent as if in thought, he was met by Mrs.
Craigie, who suddenly darted out--for she had been watching his coming--from the ”close” in which she lived, and curtsied humbly before him.
”Beg pardon, sir,” she said, ”it's a fine day--I houp ye're weel. Ye'll excuse me, sir.”
”What is it? what is it?” asked Mr. Porteous, in rather a sharp tone of voice, disliking the interruption at such a time from such a person.
”Weel,” she said, cracking her fingers as if in a puzzle, ”I just thocht if my dear wee Mary was in ony danger frae the fivver at the Sergeant's, I wad be willint--oo ay, real willint--for freends.h.i.+p's sake, ye ken, tae tak' her back tae mysel'.”
”Very possibly you would,” replied Mr. Porteous, drily; ”but my decided opinion at present is, that in all probability she won't need your kindness.”
”Thank ye, sir,” said the meek Craigie, whose expression need not be a.n.a.lysed as she looked after Mr. Porteous, pa.s.sing on with his usual step to Mr. Smellie's shop.
No sooner had he entered the ”mercantile establishment” of this distinguished draper, than with a nod he asked its worthy master to follow him up to the sanctum. The boy was charged to let no one interrupt them.
When both were seated in the confidential retreat,--the scene of many a small parish plot and plan,--Mr. Porteous said, ”I have just come from visiting our friend, Adam Mercer.”
”Indeed!” replied Smellie, as he looked rather anxious and drew his chair away. ”I'm tellt the fever is maist dangerous and deadly.”
”Are _you_ afraid? An elder? Mr. Smellie!”
”Me! I'm not frightened,” replied the elder, drawing his chair back to its former position near the minister. ”I wasn't thinking what I was doing. How did ye find the worthy man? for worthy he is, in spite o' his great fauts--in fact, I might say, his sins.”
”I need not, Mr. Smellie,” said Mr. Porteous, ”now tell you all I heard and witnessed, but I may say in general that I was touched--very much touched by the sight of that home of deep sorrow. Poor people!” and Mr.
Porteous seemed disposed to fall into a reverie.
If there is anything which can touch the heart and draw it forth into brotherly sympathy towards one who has from any cause been an object of suspicion or dislike, it is the coming into personal contact with him when suffering from causes beyond his will. The sense is awakened of the presence of a higher power dealing with him, and thus averting our arm if disposed to strike. Who dare smite one thus in the hands of G.o.d? It kindles in us a feeling of our own dependence on the same omnipotent Power, and quickens the consciousness of our own deserts were we dealt with according to our sins. There is in all affliction a shadow of the cross, which must harden or soften--lead us upward or drag us downward.
If it awakens the feeling of pity only in those who in pride stand afar off, it opens up the life-springs of sympathy in those who from good-will draw nigh.
Mr. Smellie was so far off from the Sergeant that he had neither pity nor sympathy: the minister's better nature had been suddenly but deeply touched; and he now possessed both.
”I hope,” said Smellie, ”ye will condescend to adopt my plan of charity with him. Ye ken, sir, I aye stand by you. I recognise you as my teacher and guide, and it's not my part to lead, but to follow. Yet if ye _could_ see--oh, if ye _could_ see your way, in consistency, of course, with principle--ye understan', sir?--to restore Adam afore he dees, I wad be unco prood--I hope I do not offend. I'm for peace.”
And if Adam should recover, Mr. Smellie, thy charity might induce him to think well of thee. Is that thy plan?
”The fever,” said Mr. Porteous, with a sigh, ”is strong. He is feeble.”
”Maybe, then, it might be as well to say nothing about this business until, in Providence, it is determined whether he lives or dies?”