the month of June, the year of grace 1751, when I took the key for the

last time out of the door of my father's house. The sun began to shine

upon the summit of the hills as I went down the road; and by the time

I had come as far as the manse, the blackbirds were whistling in the

garden lilacs, and the mist that hung around the valley in the time of

the dawn was beginning to arise and die away.

Mr. Campbell, the minister of Essendean, was waiting for me by the

garden gate, good man! He asked me if I had breakfasted; and hearing

that I lacked for nothing, he took my hand in both of his and clapped it

kindly under his arm.

"Well, Davie, lad," said he, "I will go with you as far as the ford, to

set you on the way." And we began to walk forward in silence.

"Are ye sorry to leave Essendean?" said he, after awhile.

"Why, sir," said I, "if I knew where I was going, or what was likely

to become of me, I would tell you candidly. Essendean is a good place

indeed, and I have been very happy there; but then I have never been

anywhere else. My father and mother, since they are both dead, I shall

be no nearer to in Essendean than in the Kingdom of Hungary, and, to

speak truth, if I thought I had a chance to better myself where I was

going I would go with a good will."

"Ay?" said Mr. Campbell. "Very well, Davie. Then it behoves me to tell

your fortune; or so far as I may. When your mother was gone, and your

father (the worthy, Christian man) began to sicken for his end, he gave

me in charge a certain letter, which he said was your inheritance. 'So

soon,' says he, 'as I am gone, and the house is redd up and the gear

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