Perthshire in bygone days

JAMES MURRAY PATTON. 105
of action, and at first lie found it rather uphill work.
Eventually, however, he got a start from some members of
the " Perthshire Society;" and, amongst others, he waited
on Messrs. Todd and Macgregor, both Perthshire gentle-
men. The smart mahogany box was opened, and the
partners expressed their admiration of the picture, but said
they had no great liking for such matters ; so the canvasser
walked out somewhat discomfited. On he went, however,
and within a fortnight he had subscribed fifty copies for
one hundred guineas. On preparing to come home, it
occurred to him that, after being so successful and getting
more accustomed to denials, he would try Todd and Mac-
gregor again. On entering the premises, he was shown up
five pairs of stairs, where the partners were sitting in the
machine-drawing room. He felt considerable misgiving as
to his reception, and visions of being ordered downstairs
floated before his imagination ; but, tapping gently at the
door, he was answered, " Come in. Oh, you are there
with your box again." Mr. Gorrie made a speech : " Yes,
gentlemen^ I have finished my canvass ; and before leaving,
I thought I would once more solicit the honour of your
patronage. Here, gentlemen, is the subscription list, con-
taining fifty highly respectable names." " Yes, I see, very
good," said one of the partners. Thus encouraged, Mr.
Gorrie gained confidence, and proceeded: "The truth is,
gentlemen, with scarcely an exception, these parties, on
glancing over the list, before putting down their names,
asked me, ' Why have you not got Todd and Macgregor,
the great Perthshire people? ' " " Oh ! and what did you
say to them ? " was asked, with a sarcastic smile. " I said
that if I had got the picture in my hand I could certainly
have made a sale ; but the gentlemen did not seem to care
about putting down their names."
Here was a piece of diplomacy worth a fair return. The
great engineers felt how near the truth the aesthetic envoy
had come ; and one of them said, "I like your perseverance.
What did you say was the price of the picture, in frame ? "
" Two guineas," he was answered. . Then taking out his
purse, he handed four guineas to the astonished huckster,
adding, "You can send each of us a copy as soon as they
are ready." Mr. Gorrie thought of making another small
speech, declining the advance payment, and saying some
civil things about packing-boxes, &c. ; but it occurred to
him at once, " Why conjure up these abominable adjuncts ?