80 OVER ON THE ISLAND

to the “wae sma’ hours,” procured ost horses and quietly rode out toward the bridge 0 Dee, as far as the drifts allowed them. They then came riding back lustily blowing post horns all the way as an intended intimation of the long expected arrival of the mail. The ruse was successful and the excitement great; and as the noisy cavalcade passed along Union Street in the bleak air of the dark morning, all sleepers were aroused and, after hastily dressing, flocked to the post office to get their letters and the latest news. They were informed that although no mail had arrived, “Sandy" Bannerman had. This was sufficient.

Sandy Bannerman had an interesting parliamentary career. Then, in 1851, he was sent as Lieutenant- Govemor to Prince Edward Island. His stay was only of three years’ duration; but Charlottetown, and in fact, the whole Island, was highly excited at the thought of welcoming back to their midst as “first lady” one who, by birth at least, was an Islander, and the original of Blumine. Noses were buried with alacrity and ecstasy in Sartor Resartus, to be prepared . Soon the people were as pleased with the easy-going, jovial Sandy as they were with his beautiful and religious wife.

Theirs was a life of travel. For three years they were in Prince Edward Island. Then they were sent south to the Bahamas for another period of three years. Three years after that they returned to the north, to Newfoundland. In 1864, they went to England, and shortly after that, Sir Alexander died.

Margaret Gordon ended up in life as she had begun—— poor. She had to sell many of her possessions. Even though she was now a widow and living in Britain, Carlyle never attempted to see her again. In 1878 she died.