A Malicious Threat

Front matter

BV S. B. MILLER K ALEXANDER GARDNER Jfublisber tn ifttv USSajestvj tbe ejueen PAISLEY; and 26 PATERNOSTER SQUARE, LONDON i895 TO THE ©OMMERGIAL S^AVEIiLE^S OP GfJEACT Bl^IUAIN AHD ICELAND this Volume is respectfully DEDICATED BY THE AUTHOR. An enforced retiral from commercial work, on account of feeble health, has given tile Writer an opportunity of penning this Novel. It is given to the Commercial Travel lers of this United Empire with feelings of regret that it is not more worthy a body of men, among whom there are not a few, the Author is proud to acknowledge as his friends. If to them especially — after the business of the day is over — it affords the faintest ray of pleasure, fhen his desire will be satisfied. January, iSgj. CONTENTS Chapter Page I. — The Yachting Party arrive Home, i II. — Kilburn Castle, - c III. — How Arthur Succeeded, - - - 13 IV. — A New Experience, - 24 V. — Arthur's Chances, - - "33 VI. — The Rescue, - - - 47 VII. — Homeward Bound,- - - 54 VIII.— Arthur at Home, - - 66 IX. — Airs.

Fairley makes a Discovery, - 80 X. — A Fresh Project, - - 85 XI. — Family Concord, - - 91 XII. — A Good Samaritan, - 96 XIII. — A Sprig of White Heather, - - 102 XIV. — A Snake in the Grass, - - - 112 XV. — True Nobility, - - 120 XVI. — A Woman's Estimate of Women, - 124 XVII. — A Re-union, - - - - 131 XVIII.— A Brother's Gift, - - CONTENTS. VIII Page Chapter XIX.— Industrious Philanthropy, i-H XX.— Groundless Fears, - J47 XXl.—AlemoriesofthePast, - x53 XXII.— An Invitation Accepted, - - *59 XXIII.— Engaged, l66 XXIV.-- Tokens of Good Will and Estenn,- 173 XXV.— Red Letter Days, - - 180 XXVI. — A Change of Residence, - - 189 XXVII. — The Home-coming, - 197 XXVIII.— An Impeachment, - 206 XXIX. — Consequences, - - 217 XXX.— A Terrible Ordeal, 223 XXXI.— A Revelation, - 226 XXXII.—" The biter bitten,"- 238 0 XXXIII. — Convalescent, - - - 249 XXXIV.— Mutual Concord, - 258 XXXV.— A Retrospect, 266 XXXVI. — A Summer Cruise,- - 274 XXXVII.— Faithful Stewards,- - - 278 XXXVIII,— Friendship, - - - - A Malicious Threat

Chapter I

The Yachting Party arrive Home. So sinks the daystar in the ocean bed, And yet, anon, repairs his drooping head, And tricks his beams, and with new-spangled ore, Flames in the forehead of the morning sky." — Milton. (~\& the evening of a magnificent day towards the end of August, a steam yacht might have been observed to make its way through the clear, calm waters of Loch Burn. The smoke from the funnel of the yacht rose lazily into the sky, and the ensign at the stern fluttered but lightly in the golden light of the setting sun. Nature was in a state of transition. The bright, clear light of day was giving place to the calm and sombre reign of sable-winged night, and, save for the cry of the seabird on its homeward way, and the revolu tions of the propeller in the Loch, perfect rest and quiet A AIALLCIOUS THREAT. 2 obtained.

The whole western horizon was flooded with a rich, mellow light, spanned here and there by airy bars of leaden blue, the fringes of which were undiscernible in a wealth of purple and orange colours. The deep blue of the Mull mountains, with Ben Mhor lovingly enshrouded by an airy mantle of pure white, and the rocky Morven Hills bathed in a subdued azure, served only to intensify the glory of that sunset. Away to the right is Ledaig Moss, a favourite haunt of the antiquary and the geologist ; and yonder rising mound of green, with its rocky base, is Beregonium, with the remains of a vitrified fort, said to be at one time the Pictish capital of the hoary north. Looking from the stern of the yacht, in a southerly direction, are to be seen the weather-scarred battlements of an ancient keep raising their turreted roofs above the rich, verdant foliage by which they are surrounded.

That is Dunstaff nage Castle, or, rather, what remains of it, and is worthy of more attention than our present purpose will admit. Those crumbling walls were at one time the regal habi tation of monarchy. Ichabod ! Ichabod ! is inscribed with the iron pen of time upon the outward surfaces of castle, moss, and Pictish stronghold. Ben Cruachan, with twin peaks soaring to the sky, the device not of man but of Nature's God, alone has stood the ravages of time. As it looks down from afar upon the crumbling handiwork of man, we are led to think it is more in pity than in anger. A AIAL1CI0US THREAT. 3 But we are digressing from the landscape which is unfolding itself to the eyes of those who occupy the yacht. To the right is Loch Nell, with a goodly num ber of small boats dotting its surface, the occupants of which are trying to wile the whiting and the haddock with inviting bait.

Right in front the yachting party behold with wondering delight the wooded slopes of Appin. The reflection of the last of the sun's rays lights up the heather-clad hills, suggesting to our minds the thought of the glowing purple heath having been kindled by a divine torch. The calm, deep waters of Loch Creran, stretching away to the right, lie like a sea of molten gold at the base of the mountains. Ben Breac, the speckled hill, is donning a night cap of snowy mist, and here and there are to be seen, along the coast line, a succession of crofters' whitewashed home dwellings breaking the long stretches of woodland. There is an enchanted witchery about the scene which compels us to linger lovingly upon each feature of it, until at last it is gradually hidden from our sight as evening merges into night.

The occupants of the yacht are flitting to and fro upon the deck in preparing to disembark. Rounding a bluff rock headland upon the shore of the loch, Kilburn Castle, a stately pile of granite masonry, comes into view. The dim shadowy light only admits of a very imperfect view of the castle from the deck of the steam yacht. A AIALLCLOUS THREAT. 4 The Mermaid— -for that is the name of the yacht — is now opposite the castle, and a loud gruff voice breaks, more fully, the stillness by shouting, "Let go!" The command is no sooner given than there is a loud splash heard as the strong, well-forged anchor sinks to its natural home. The davits of the steam yacht swing round and the small cutter is lowered into the water and brought to the gangway. Two members of the Mermaid's crew, followed by two ladies and four gentlemen, leave the deck of the Aiermaid, and, going down the gangway, they step, one by one, on board the cutter.

One of the ladies, a fair young person, takes her place in the stern, and, gathering the yoke lines round her, is prepared to act as coxswain. The oars are shipped, and the music of them is soon heard as the prow of the cutter breaks the placid surface of the waters of Loch Burn. The careful steering of the fair occupant in the stern, and the vigorous rowing of the two oarsmen, impels the cutter forward at a rapid rate in the direction of the shore. " Way enough ! " the graceful lady-coxswain exclaims, followed by the command, " Oars ! " and the next moment the keel of the Mermaid's cutter is crunching the gravel of the beach.

Chapter II

Kilburn Cast'e. ' Life has its bliss for these, when past its bloom, As wither'd roses yield a late perfume ; Serene and safe from passion's stormy rage, How calm they glide into the port of age." — Shenstone. 'T^HE castle takes its name from the loch upon the shore of which it stands, and is well worthy of a little consideration from us. It is built upon a pro montory of rock which slopes gently to both the front and the rear of the castle. The main entrance to the castle faces the loch, having a carriage drive in front and an ornamented plateau, while a trim verdant lawn slopes to the edge of the loch. The slope to the rear contains a richly-wooded avenue, which terminates in front of the main entrance to the castle. The avenue is upwards of a mile in length, and a quaint, rustic lodge at the entrance to it abuts the main highway.

The main road which intercepts the avenue leads, on the one hand, to the village of Craigneuk, from which a coach runs daily in connection with the Oban and Glasgow train service. On the other hand the main road leads through a succession of Highland clachans to Inverness and the North. The avenue to the Castle is, for the most part, wooded to such an extent that even when the sun is at its height it fails to pierce the mirky light of this grand triumphal arch. Approaching the Castle by this way, through the long lane of trees, the house itself appears like a sentry keeping guard over this grand arch of Nature; but as we approach it, we feel the positions are reversed. Now the dark avenue watches over the castellated mansion at its head. The approach, combined with the front position, gives the place a look like what we associate with some old feudal stronghold ; but, in reality, this splendid and costly abode is tenanted by people who are blessed with a larger portion of the milk of human kindness than ever graced a feudal lord.

The exterior of the Castle is of Aberdeen red granite, with facings of grey granite, which serves to cool the eye and prevent too warm an effect. The gardens and vineries of Kilburn are known and admired as being second to none in all broad Scotland ; while the interior of the Castle is another evidence of the power of wealth, being replete with all that art, refinement of taste, and money can produce. It is necessary for the purpose we have in view that we ask the reader to accompany us as we go back in our narrative to the earlier life of the owner of this palatial domain. In doing so we believe we will gratify the wishes of those who evince a livelier interest in men and their attributes, than in the nature and locality of their homes. Arthur Fairley, the much-respected pro prietor of Kilburn Castle, was in youth a very poor individual, in that sense in which the possession of money makes one rich, or the reverse, poor.

His parents were of a class at one time characteristic of Scotland, but now we regret to admit rarely met with. They were douce in their conduct, and eydent at their work, making the very most of their circumstances, and if in their case the truth of the proverb that " the hand of the diligent maketh rich " was not realised in a monetary sense, nevertheless their family was made rich by example. Arthur Fairley was born of humble godly parents at Saltcoats — a seaport on the Ayrshire coast — the great bulk of the male inhabitants of which were almost equally divided between seafaring men and handloom weavers. Arthur's father followed the calling of a fisher man, and until Arthur was fifteen years of age he was compelled — by force of circumstances — to help his parent at that adventurous occupation.

Hugh Fairley and his wife Marion had been blessed with a family of seven, so by way of saving a man's wage Arthur took the place of " a man " on board his father's fishing smack. Hugh Fairley with his wife and family occupied an un pretentious cottage of two apartments — a but an' a ben — in Dockhead, Saltcoats. Three of the little ones were at school but— as their mother remarked to us on one A AIALLCIOUS THREAT. 8 occasion— she found it necessary to eke out the pre carious earnings of her husband and her boy, by giving her three girls who were at school " something to do " after school hours. Agnes— aged thirteen, — helped to swell the domestic exchequer by " filling pirns " to a weaver in another part of the village. Mary— aged eleven — was employed, outside her school hours, in nursing a neighbour's child.

Mary's nursing brought no money, but she got her food for her labour, and that, to her mother, " was something." Sarah a year and a-half younger than Mary had a similar office to perform at times in nursing her baby brother Bob. Marion, a sweet little rosebud girl of little more than six summers, with her still younger brother Hugh, when asked by any one what they did, with a pride in every sense worthy of emulation, would reply that " they helped mother." Beset as they were by " honest poverty," the homely fisherman and his wife never lost sight of their duty as parents to their children, willingly sacrificing themselves upon the altar of divine duty, on behalf of divinely gifted sons and daughters. Never for one moment did they attempt to extinguish the flame of ambition inherent in their first-born, but rather looked upon it as a tender plant needing to be carefully nurtured, if they would bring the rosy, golden future Arthur was wont to picture to himself, to a glad and glorious fruition.

They realised what parents often overlook, or through carelessness fail to notice, that the opening bud of boyish ambition should be encouraged to burst into full flower whenever that bud reveals its presence, lest the frost of indolence blight its growth, and prevent a life attaining the position which an Omniscient Providence intended it in after life to occupy. The ambition of Arthur's young life was not characterised by avarice or greed, or for personal aggrandizement, but by warm grateful love. When he thought of all his mother's patient love and of his father's numerous instances of unselfish care for him in the past, his heart burned within him to do something to alleviate the hardness of their lot. He cheerfully gave his father all the aid he was capable of giving at the fishing until he was — as we have already said — fifteen years of age, but even before he had reached that age, our hero realized that if he was ever to be in a position to lift his parents out of the drudgery of their lives, it must be by some other means than that of continuing the calling of a fisher.

The wellbeing and comfort of his parents was Arthur Fairley's ambition, and let those who will say it was not a noble goal to strive for. After consulting his father and mother, and the friend who was next to them the dearest, his old schoolmaster, it was decided that he should endeavour to secure a situation in one of the many large merchant offices in Glasgow. It was not without a struggle that his parents consented to such a course, they felt that in doing so they were incurring a fresh burden, because it was evident that Arthur could not command a salary — as a beginner — sufficient to A MALLCIOUS THREAT. 10 maintain himself in the city, and still they felt that if they were to do their evident duty by him, they must not hinder his going. They had a simple childlike faith that God had guided them aright in their decision, which was clearly shown in their remarks to each other after all the arrangements were complete.

" Weel Mirren ! — said her husband — we've had tae fecht sair eneuch already, an' as you ken the Lord has been wi' us an' brocht us through it a', an' I've nae doot He'll bring us safely through this as weel, if we only ask Him." " Deed ay Hugh ! that's vera true, an' there's nae fear but we'll manage't a' richt, indeed I think it wad be oot o' place tae try and stop the callant, for, should it please the Lord tae bless him in his new wark it'll mebbe be a guid thing for us a' ; if Arty had it naether you nor me wad need tae ask it." After it was decided that our hero should embark upon the sea of commerce, he received an appointment — through the influence of his friend the schoolmaster — from one of the largest manufacturing firms in the City. In due course he left the shelter of the parental roof to either fail or succeed in the battle of life.

Tender, loving hands had packed his clothes, and gentle solicitude had deposited many a little token of parental and filial regard beside them. Among the many evidences of thoughtful love which he received from his dear ones on parting from their society was a sacred volume — the A MALICIOUS THREAT. 11 gift of a fond mother — bearing the inscription : " From Mother to her dear son Arthur, October 16th, 18 ." That tribute of maternal love, written upon the fly-leaf of that copy of God's Word, was blurred by tears, and very indifferent as a specimen of penmanship, but for all its faults, Arthur would not have had it otherwise. Many a lad has started on life's journey under more comforting circumstances than Arthur Fairley. To a large number then, as it is unfortunately the case even now, it was a matter of small importance whether success followed them on their journey or no, provided their indulgent parents continued to anticipate their every wish and to supply their every want.

But it was different with him. He was the hope of his parents, and while he felt that such was the case, he was unconscious of his own abilities ; accordingly, he was constantly torturing himself with the dreadful thought that his life's effort would fail, and instead of being a benefactor to his parents, he might become a burden instead. When confiding those fears to the schoolmaster, his old friend replied : " I honour you, my boy, for looking at the matter in that light, but your dread of failure is the best assurance that such will not be the case. People who are confident of success at the beginning are usually those who fail to attain to it in the end ; and when you have attained that measure of success, Arthur, which I fondly hope will be yours, never forget the Bible warning 'to take heed lest you fall.' It is right that you should have a fear of failure, Arthur, but never forget that obstacles are put in our way just in order that we may learn to overcome them, and I hope that instead of fleeing from a difficulty you will do your very utmost to overcome every barrier on the pathway to success."

" Thank you, sir," was Arthur's reply ; " I'll try," and while he spoke his face was grave and full of calm determination, which had the effect of assuring his old friend that he was thoroughly in earnest in what he said.

Chapter III

How Arthur Succeeded. " 'Tis not in mortals to command success, But we'll do more, Sempronius — We'll deserve it. " — Addison. T_7 OR full seven years Arthur Fairley has been rising step by step and rung by rung on the ladder of prosperous youth. His parents are still working away in much the same manner as when their eldest boy went out into life's stern battle, but they have outlived the horrid apprehension which at one time possessed them, an apprehension which besets and disturbs all the truly honest poor, that they might ever be dependant upon charity. Arthur's prosperity, coupled with the earnings of his sisters, have contributed in no small degree to the "bienness" of Hugh Fairley's home, and to the calm, sweet content of mind which was happily evident in himself and in his wife at the time this chapter opens.

On a bright morning in July, Marion Fairley was anxiously trying to pick out her husband's boat from amongst the numerous brown-sailed craft returning to the harbour laden with silvery-scaled herrings. The bright morning sunshine was dancing upon the perfectly A AIALLCIOUS THREAT. 14 calm sea, and hardy fishermen were full of longing for a breath of wind to lift the fishing fleet homewards. The constant sweep of the long oars was the only sound that broke the summer stillness, and the gentle ripple made by the prow of the boats as they were impelled forward by the rowers was the only break upon the still, glassy surface of the waters of the bay. As the fishing fleet drew nearer, although to a stranger the boats might appear very similar, the practised eye of Marion Fairley detected her husband's smack among the crowd of boats, and crying to one of her boys, she said, " See, Hugh !

Yonder yer faither's boat comin' roun' the Outer Perches; rin awa' doon an' tell him there's a gran' letter come frae Arty this mornin'." What Mrs. Fairley had spoken of as a gran' letter, was one telling of her first-born's continued success, and yet it was provocative of a certain amount of sadness. It contained the information that his employers had deter mined upon opening up New Zealand as a market for their goods, and had offered him the appointment of agent for them in that then rising colony. The salary was certainly very tempting, but before he would finally accept he asked for the opinion of his parents on the matter. Hugh Fairley felt, after reading his son's letter, as if the bright sunshine of that morning was exactly represented in his own being. A big shot of herrings, and a good price for them had put him in the best of humour, and to crown all, was his son's gratifying letter.

The pros and cons of Arthur's position were carefully considered by his parents, and it was not without a measure of regret they consented to his going abroad. So far as his conduct was concerned, they had not a shadow of fear, but parental forethought pictured their loved one on a bed of sickness in a strange land, with none but strangers near to minister to his wants, and the very possibility of such a thing occurring tempered their joy, and toned down the glowing colours of parental pride. In their humble devotions, not only that day, but on many subsequent days, at the family altar, they commended their boy to the care and keeping of Him who slumbers not, nor sleeps ; feeling sure that He who marks the falling of a sparrow to the ground, would guide and direct the footsteps of Arthur in his far away home.

When Arthur received his parents' favourable opinion of the step he contemplated, it confirmed him in his desire to accept the position offered by his em ployers. It would only weary the reader to go into all the minutiæ of Arthur's experiences, varied as they were, consequently it will be sufficient for our purpose, and we hope for the satisfaction of the reader also, to know that Arthur, up to the time we speak of, had filled every position entrusted to him, with the greatest credit to himself, and the entire acceptance of his employers. The firm were large employers of labour, with extensive agencies throughout the Colonies and America, and the work of their agents in the different countries consisted A AL ALI CLOUS THREAT. 16 in buying up the raw products of those countries and shipping the raw material to Glasgow, where it was in turn manufactured into the finished fabric.

The firm then exported the manufactured article to their several agents, who undertook the disposal of it in their own particular district or country. When we consider the responsible nature of the work, we can easily understand it was no easy task for a young man not yet twenty-three years of age to undertake, but the managing partner of the firm was sufficiently alive to his own interests, to see and feel, that in Arthur Fairley the firm had a faithful servant who was possessed of the necessary grit and go qualifying him for the post. Arthur now saw a prospect of attaining the position he had all along striven for — to see his parents comfortably settled for the remainder of their days — and the prospect infused fresh energy into every fibre of his being. When he had got fairly settled in his new sphere under the southern sky, love made his labours light.

His health was good, and with the energy characteristic of his countrymen he plodded on, bit by bit, until he had made a considerable impression on behalf of his employers. The firm at home were not slow to acknow ledge the success of his labours, and in a letter compli menting him upon the splendid results of his management of the new agency, they intimated, "that it gave them pleasure to inform him that they proposed giving him help, in the form of an experienced assistant, who, if all went well, would be with him by the next mail steamer." What a world of good such encouragement effects ! How much better would it be for employer and employee if words of encouragement were more general. If a man is conscious that his best efforts are appreciated by his employer, he will toil on, counting nothing hard, if he but earns the commendation he, in reality, deserves.

Bnt the employer who neglects to reward, by a word of approval, the faithful and diligent servant, alas ! too often finds to his supreme cost that he has soured and broken the spirit of his best workman, who ultimately goes about his daily work as a matter of sheer necessity, instead of it being the pleasure to him it otherwise would. In neglecting this duty is to be found much which, we fear, in course of time finds an outlet in agitations and in that modern inhuman method of redressing wrongs by strikes. When Hugh Ferguson — Arthur's promised assistant — arrived at New Zealand, he was very warmly received by his countryman and fellow worker, and found that every provision had been made for his comfort. It was particularly refreshing to our hero to meet with one he had known intimately at home, and for whom it happened he had a personal regard, and then there were so many questions to ask at Ferguson regarding old friends, and not least, we may be sure, regarding the old folks at home.

Hugh rather enjoyed the process of interviewing instituted on the day of his arrival by his companion, and was willingly answering the enquiries of Arthur long into the morning of the following day, when the latter turned to his friend exclaiming, " What a beastly selfish fellow I am, Ferguson ! torturing you with questions when you can hardly keep awake. Come away, and I'll show you where I hope you'll forget that you're in a strange country." And as Arthur led the way to his com panion's bedroom, he added : " Because for myself, Hugh, I feel as if you had brought me within sight of auld Scotia's hills and dales once more. Your kindly accents in oor mither tongue ha'e fallen on my ear like the saft purlin' music o' some bit burnie rinnin' tae the sea, such as we baith mind o' at hame." The remembrance of home and all its hallowed associations had been awakened throughout the course of Hugh's narrative, and Arthur could not help dropping into the homely vernacular of his early days, but the acknow ledgment he gave to Hugh of the pleasure his coming had given him, and the warm, hearty hand-shake they exchanged as they bade each other good-night, was sufficient recompense for any discomfort Hugh had undergone from want of sleep.

The homely warmth of Arthur's welcome had the intended effect of making his assistant forget for that night at least that he was far from home; but, as a matter of fact, and as already indicated, Arthur had himself forgotten. While he slept, bright-eyed Fancy wove her spell, and in his dreams he heard the lowing of the cattle, and the bleat ing of the sheep, upon the side of one of Scotia's rugged mountains. The bloom of the purple heather and the blue-bell alternated before his mind's eye with the bracken, the golden broom, the sweet-scented brier, and the bright scarlet berries of the mountain ash, and a blue filmy wreath rose from the rude chimneys of humble thatched dwellings in the valley below. He heard the sound of the pipes pealing a war-blast, and again at the close of day he heard them wailing a lament.

In fancy the morning broke, flooded with glad sun shine, and the sound of Sabbath bells were heard calling the worshippers to the quaint old church round which were grouped the graves of former generations. But as he himself remarked to his companion on the following morning, " Of all the folks and places I dreamt of Hugh, the dearest and most gratifying were the thoughts about my parents and my home." A warm sincere friendship sprang up between Arthur Fairley and Hugh Ferguson, and out of a mutual respect for one another they each strove to make the business they were engaged in as successful as possible. Each succeeding year was marked by a considerable increase in trade profits, the agency fast becoming recognised by the firm as their most profitable, and as might naturally be expected, just as it developed in worth, so also was Arthur's position improved.