Crossroads and Characters

44. THE TRAVELLING GROCERY.

At the turn of the century, Charlie Laing was laid off his job at the local grocer's. He decided to become a travelling grocer. He fitted up this cart and horse and invested in some goods. For years he and his horse travelled the area bringing groceries to mansion and cottage alike. Just before her death in 1991 his daughter Mary Laing recalled the wonderful trips as a youngster when she was allowed to accompany her father on his rounds. Visiting houses like Invermay and Dupplin they would go to the tradesmen's entrance. While father sold groceries to the housekeeper, the kitchen maids would make a fuss of her. One sweet moment she recalled was being invited to go to the conservatory at Invermay, and snip a bunch of hothouse grapes from the vine with delicate little grape scissors.