ing it distinctly. I could see the dandies, however, exchange
expressive looks with one another; and at one time the more forward of
the two whispered something to his companion, in which the words
'Methodist parson' alone were audible.

At Airdrie nothing particular occurred; but when we had got about
half-way between that town and Glasgow, we arrived at a cross-road,
where the widow expressed a wish to be set down. The young gentleman
therefore desired the driver to stop, and, springing himself from the
coach, took the infant from her arms, and then, along with the guard,
assisted her to descend. 'May God reward you,' said she, as he returned
the baby to her, 'for your kindness to the widow and the fatherless this
day!'

'And may He bless you,' replied he, 'with all spiritual consolation in
Christ Jesus!'

So saying, he slipped something into her hand. The widow opened it
instinctively; I saw two sovereigns glitter on her palm. She dropped a
tear upon the money, and turned round to thank her benefactor, but he
had already resumed his seat upon the coach. She cast towards him an
eloquent and grateful look, pressed her infant convulsively to her
bosom, and walked hurriedly away.

No other passenger wishing to alight at the same place, we were soon
again in rapid motion towards the great emporium of the West of
Scotland. Not a word was spoken. The young gentleman sat with his arms
crossed upon his breast, and, if I might judge by the expression of his
fine countenance, was evidently revolving some scheme of benevolence in
his mind. The dandies regarded him with blank amazement. They also had
seen the gold in the poor widow's hand, and seemed to think that there
was more under that shabby surtout than their 'puppy brains' were able
to conjecture. That in this they were right was speedily made manifest.

When we had entered Glasgow, and were approaching the Buck's Head--the
inn at which our conveyance was to stop--an open travelling-carriage,
drawn by four beautiful grey horses, drove up in an opposite direction.
The elegance of this equipage made the dandies spring to their feet.
'What beautiful greys!' cried the one; 'I wonder who they can belong to?'
'He is a happy fellow, anyhow,' replied the other; 'I would give half
Yorkshire to call them mine.' The stage-coach and travelling-carriage
stopped at the Buck's Head at the same moment; and a footman in laced
livery, springing down from behind the latter, looked first