Oor ain folk times

CHAPTER XV
A Hard-worked Minister — Vigorous of Mind and Body — Details of
his Life and Character — Notes by my Brother George — The
Manse Garden — Methodical Habits — Love of Children — Care
for the Servants — Domestic Daily Routine — Fondness for a
Joke — Some of his Stories — A Thievish Urchin — The Imper-
turbable Trespasser — Pat's Witty Answer — Habits in the Pulpit
— His Favourites in History— Gentleness and Sweetness of
Disposition — Private Devotion — Anecdotes of Dr. Cruden —
Summary of the Old Minister's Character.
To give some idea of the industry and downright hard
work expected from a minister in those stirring times
after the Disruption, and as an evidence of my dear
father's vigour of body and mind, I might instance that
on one occasion he preached both forenoon and after-
noon in Free St. John's Church, Montrose, then drove
out to Edzell, some twelve miles away, and preached in
his own church at six o'clock in the evening of the same
day.
On another occasion he happened to be breakfasting
at Woodmyre, a pleasant residence some miles from our
village, in the neighbouring county of Kincardine.
While at breakfast he received an urgent appeal from
his cherished friend, Dr. Foote of Brechin, whose child