Shepherd Widom

Lord Rutherford had entered into conversation with a shepherd on the Pentland Hills, and was complaining
bitterly of the weather, which prevented him enjoying his visit to the country when he said unguardedly, “What a
damned mist !“ and expressed his wonder how, or for what purpose, an east wind was created.

The shepherd, a tall, grim figure, turned sharp round
upon him, and said:

“What ails you at the mist, sir? It wets the sod, it slockens the yowes,“ and after adding, with much solemnity,‘‘It’s Gods will !” he turned away with lofty indignation. Lord Rutherford used to repeat this with much candour, as a fine specimen of rebuke from a
sincere and simple mind.

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