' His handsome
face, his perfect style of address, learned possibly in the 'Union,'
but, more than all, his show of nerve--for these men knew how to value
that--made a strong impression on his audience; but there were no
following cheers.
Mr. Craig appeared hopeful; but on Mrs. Mavor's face there was a look of
wistful, tender pity, for she knew how much the words had cost the lad.
Then up rose a sturdy, hard-featured man, with a burr in his voice
that proclaimed his birth. His name was George Crawford, I afterwards
learned, but every one called him Geordie. He was a character in his
way, fond of his glass; but though he was never known to refuse a drink,
he was never known to be drunk. He took his drink, for the most part,
with bread and cheese in his own shack, or with a friend or two in a
sober, respectable way, but never could be induced to join the wild
carousals in Slavin's saloon. He made the highest wages, but was far too
true a Scot to spend his money recklessly. Every one waited eagerly
to hear Geordie's mind.
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