This is one of my favourite McLevy stories as he contrasts the warm treatment he receives when turning up uninvited at the wedding of two criminals ” ‘give him a dram’ cries the bride” against the heartless  man who steals 4 pennies from a old woman in the poorhouse.  The two principal characters Webb and Bryce  are found in official records to have married on 29 January 1855 (government marriage records 1855 685/07 entry 8). This date also ties in with the story which talks about the wintry weather and snow on the ground. The forenames differ but all other details match.