Oor ain folk times

A FATHER'S BLESSING 275
'On the 12th of January he had a terrible fit of
coughing, said "he "was a great sufferer, and longed
to get home," but " he must wait his appointed time,"
and then he murmured, " Time — time — time ! "
Next day his much -attached friends, Mr. and Mrs.
Nixon, came from Montrose, and a very affecting
conversation was held. Mr. Nixon asked among
other things if he regretted the sacrifices he had
made for Christ's sake. A fine glow of enthusiasm
lit up the wasted features, and with a burst of deep
feeling, holding up his wasted hands, he replied : " Oh
no, no, no ! " Mr. Nixon then prayed very touchingly
for him, Mrs. Nixon tenderly kissed his forehead, and
they took their leave all deeply moved.'
On the 15th George had to return to his classes at
the New^College, Edinburgh, and when saying farewell,
the old man held his hand and said : ' I canna keep ye
awa' langer, an' I dinna want to keep mysel'. May
God bless and prosper you ! Oh be faithful — be faith-
ful ! See that you meet me in glory. I'm no able to
speak. Farewell.'
During the latter portion of his illness he often said
to my mother, " Oh, can you no help me to die 1 " A
few days before the end he suffered fearfully from a
dreadful cough, which racked and shook his whole
frame ; and it became very painful to those waiting
on him, as they could do nothing to give him relief.
He had to be given ice to cool and moisten his parched
tongue, and seeing their distress he tried to assume a
cheerfulness which was touchingly unselfish. He would
sometimes smile and whisper jokingly : " Gie me anither
sna' ba'." This was said with the intention of diverting