The Atheneum Volume 25 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1829 Excerpt: ...stilled, the elder ones kept from mischief, and the whole place, in short, held in awe, little inferior to that of a military despotism, by the " sound and fury" of the white-faced bull, --for of actual mischief done by him, up to this period of his history, not a syllable is recorded. Even Janet Tyrie, who was alike renowned for her strength and her valor, and who was in these respects the very Thalestris of Ferryden fishwomen, quailed and lowered her high spirit at the name, and yet more at the sight and the sound of " 'Igham's 'awkit ox." Many were her inward maledictions us she trudged along the fence with her well-filled creel (basket) of fish, or when she returned in ballast, --for the fish-women there are accustomed to so ponderous a load on their crupper, that rather thau return with the creel empty, they put a great stone into it, " to steady their quarters," as themselves say. Often did she wish that the butcher would " mak' mutton o' the vilthy brute, an' zell 'im vor vish an' sauce to the bairns' porritch;" but still the formidable ox kept the field; and as the season grew hot his wrath became more alarming than ever. Even Sunday was no sabbath-day to Janet Tyrie and her associates; for on that day the warlike demonstrations of the ox were doubled and doubled again;--they had to pass two sides of the field in going to their parish kirk (Craig), and as they went there twice, they had their double serenade four times over. One Sunday Janet was a little behind her companions, and in passing along the fence she kept blessing herself that " 'Igham's 'awkit ox" was not there, as no sight or sound of him was perceived. Soon, however, was her joy changed for sorrow deeper than ever; for, upon turning the c...