Part 24 (1/2)
”'Od, Dauvit, noo that ye come to mention it I wud like to hear yer advice aboot the matter I dinna see how I can tak an eldershi+p, Dauvit”
”How no?” asked Dauvit in surprise
Then he added: ”But ot a sinfu' heart or no”
”It's no that,” said Tammas hastily, ”I'lanced at Jake Tosh ”No, it's no the sin I'm thinkin' o'; it's my trade”
”But,” I put in, ”why shouldn't a joiner be an elder?”
Taie Roll
”That may as may be, dominie, but I'm mair than a joiner; I'm an undertakker”
”Weel,” said Dauvit, ”what aboot that?”
Tammas shook his head sadly
”An undertakker canna be an elder, Dauvit Suppose the minister a preachin' or at the asseation was deein',to the bedside and offer up a bit prayer”
”There's nothing in that,” said Jake proudly; ”I've offered up a bit prayer afore noo when the minister a”
”Aye, Jake,” said Tammas, ”but ye see you're a roadman But an undertakker is a different ie a man a bit prayer at sax o'clock and syne measure him for his coffin at acht
That wud look like ht over this aspect
”All the same,” said the smith, ”Dr Hall is an elder, and naebody ever thinks o' accusin' hiion wi' his business”
We all considered this statement
”Tammas,” said Dauvit, ”if ye want to be an elder tak it, and never ie a prayer just get Jake here to tak on the job”
He began to laugh here
”I ot his eldershi+p The aed awa to the assembly in Edinbro, and as it happened auld Jess Tosh was deein', so Jeeie her a prayer Jeemie was in my shop when the lassie Tosh cam for him, and I never saw a man in sic a state
”'Dauvit,' he cries, 'I canna dae it! I never offered up a prayer in my life!'
”'Hoots, Jee in a few bitties frae the Bible'
”Auld Jeemie he scarted his heid
”'Man, Dauvit,' says he, 'I cudna say tords o' the Bible'
”Weel-a-weel, I had to shove him oot o' the shop, and I tell ye, boys, he was shakin' like a shakky-trummly