PUBLIC DOMAIN DEDICATION
The following is made available free of any copyright restrictions (
more info).
The following is a transcription of a historic book and may contain occasional small errors.
Chapter XXVIII. Old Malley
A sturdy and. an upright woman, with a strong will, a rich faith, and strong determination. The wonder was that one so marked should have married a man who, though much respected, was only weak when compared with his more energetic spouse. The old lady baked bread and went out with leeches, then largely recommended by the doctors to get bad blood away in disease, and she was as much in requisition as the medical man. Many are the times when one has seen the old lady with her pots going to a poorly house — to the youngster it was almost like going to a funeral; and often the two things went together, so that it left a gloomy effect on the mind. Sometimes when the dear old lady could not attend, the old man was given a chance, but he was not as expert as his wife. And, maybe, if there was a public-house near, he might have got a glass too much, and then would get a mild blessing when he got home. No; the people preferred the wife, for she could discourse about the scripture with the skill of a learned divine, and many are the consolations she would give, especially to those whom she called the elect. On this doctrine she was eminent, never missing a point or relenting an inch.
Such was the way with a number of people at that time. Gadsby had left a strong mark behind by his eloquent preaching on these hillsides, which stuck to old Malley strongly. She would talk to you at the door of her little baking shop at Hollins Row as long as ever she could spare time from her bread about the faith delivered to the saints. Then the old man (her husband) in some moods, coming home, would knock it all out again. It was an exclusive doctrine, but if you happened (as in my case) to be the child of one who went to her chapel, it made all the difference in the world. You had the best of bread to eat, and the strongest of leeches to get you well again.
It is a little world, but there is a greater beyond. When we get there we shall see whether “Malley” of the old or the newer faith was the better, but let us hope that both have led sinners to salvation.
Slaithwaite Notes: Past and Present (1905) by John Sugden
- Dedication, Introductions, Etc
- I. Sale of Brook Mills, Etc
- II. Reminiscences
- III. Slaithwaite a Seaport Town
- IV. Gadsbys of Old
- V. Politics (I)
- VI. Varied
- VII. Music
- VIII. Old Slaithwaite: Its Young Workers and Its Homes
- IX. Jacob
- X. A Plucky Fight
- XI. Noted Persons and Conditions
- XII. Then and Now! Reverie and Reminiscence
- XIII. A Policeman's Sad End
- XIV. Politics (II)
- XV. Life's Young Dream Fifty Years Ago
- XVI. Brass Bands
- XVII. Side by Side
- XVIII. Education
- XIX. Sport
- XX. Building Society and Cotton Mill
- XXI. Tabernacle on the Hills
- XXII. An Old Romance of the Colne Valley
- XXIII. The Coronation
- XXIV. Summer in the Valley, Etc
- XXV. A Lingards Tragedy
- XXVI. Honourable Mention
- XXVII. Days of My Youth
- XXVIII. Old Malley
- XXIX. Tom Kirk
- XXX. Bent Ley Silk Mills
- XXXI. D.F.E. Sykes, LL.B
- XXXII. Country Life
- XXXIII. A Lovely Village Lass and her Misfortune
- XXXIV. Courtship and Marriage for the Colne Valley
- XXXV. Sunday Trams
- XXXVI. Success of the Linthwaite Band at Crystal Palace
- XXXVII. Christmas at Slaithwaite - 1902
- XXXVIII. Hunting
- XXXIX. Rival Shows
- XL. Marsden Moor Murders
- XLI. Merry Dale
- XLII. Mossley To-day and in the Days of Old
- XLIII. Old Bookmen
- XLIV. Noted Preachers
- XLV. Manufacturers of Olden Days
- XLVI. Workmen at their Forum
- XLVII. What Lasses Did Fifty Years Ago, and Now
- XLVIII. Johnny, Billy, and Neddy Walker
- XLIX. Variety
- L. An Annual
- LI. Death of Mr. E. Swift: A Friendly Appreciation
- LII. The Political Crisis
- LIII. Conservative Party Prospects
- LIV. What will the Liberals Do?
- LV. What can the Labour Party Do?
- LVI. A National Party
- LVII. Reminiscence of Richard Cobden
- LVIII. Slaithwaite's Progress
- LIX. May Day at Slaithwaite
- LX. Old Folks' Treat at Slaithwaite
- LXI. Deanhead Thump
- LXII. Nothing New
- LXIII. Death of Mrs. W.H. Brook, of Slaithwaite
- LXIV. A Few Selected Letters of Condolence
- LXV. Robert Meeke's Tomb
- LXVI. Local Obituary for 1904
- LXVII. Memorial Window and Font
- LXVIII. Pen and Ink Sketch: Changes in Life
- LXIX. Ye Old Hostelry, or the Red Brook Bogey
- LXX. An Old Slaithwaite Man's Request
- LXXI. Huddersfield Corporation
- LXXII. Mr. Sugden's Retirement