86 ENLISTS IN THE RIFLES. CHAP. v. 



attend to your duty in future." Addressing the 

 corporal, he added, " Take him back to the ranks, and 

 tell Sergeant Forbes that I will speak to him about 

 this affair." This was Edward's first and last mili- 

 tary offence ; and he served out the rest of his time 

 with attention and diligence. 



Edward disliked returning to his trade. His 

 aversion to it was greater even than before. He dis- 

 liked the wages, which were low ; but he still more 

 disliked the manner in which the masters treated their 

 men. They sometimes kept them idle for days, 

 ' and towards the end of the week, they would force 

 them to work night and day in order to finish their 

 jobs. Edward liked his militia life much better ; 

 and, in order to get rid of the shoemaking and con- 

 tinue his soldier's life, he enlisted in the 60th Rifles. 

 When his mother heard of the decision he had come 

 to, she expressed herself as strongly opposed to it ; 

 and, working upon the young man's feelings, which 

 were none of the hardest, he at last promised not to 

 go, and arrangements were made to get him off. Thus 

 ended Edward's military career. 



Before he left Aberdeen, he assisted his father as 

 beadle (or pew-opener) in the North Church, King 

 Street. He continued in this office for about two 

 years. He liked the occupation very well, and was 

 sorry to leave it when he finally left Aberdeen to 

 settle at Banff. 



