Beside the Bonnie Brier Bush

ry Sabbath in the kirk-yard, where he laid down the law beneath an old elm tree, and twice between Sabbath

was done for him, and he's working night and day, but he'll have a sore fight with the lads from the town schools. Na,

pport, outran us all in his faith, and had no patience with Domsie's devices, "a' tell ye if Geordie disna get

with genuine alarm. "We maunna mention prizes, and first is fair madness, A

s no Jamieson," but generally he prophesied a moderate success. There were times when he affected

he handwriting at various angles and speculated about the writer. Some felt emboldened, after these precautions, to open the letter, but this haste was considered indecent. When Posty handed Drumsheugh the factor's letter, with the answer to his offer for the farm, he only remarke

f the envelope. But he could not; his hand was sha

t out, and you will be pleased to know that I have

tried to speak and could not, for a rain of tears was on his hard old face. Domsie was far more a pagan than a s

innie Knowe. He did not speak one word upon the way, but twice he stood and read the letter which he held fast in his hand. His face was set a

me to meet us, taking two drills at a stride,

ted the letter.

d what's he

t down his spectacles. "Edinburgh, April 7th."

it first to

yards; and then a strange thing happened. For the first and last time in his life Domsie whistled, and the tune was "A hundred pipers an

ied," whispered Whi

noons before he died, and a flash passed between Domsie and the lad's mother. Then she knew that it

ws, but between the shaking of hi

t in the Greek too; the like o' this is hardly known, and it has na been seen in Drumtochty since there was a schule. Tha

hough I did not myse

erwards. She took the Dominie's hand, and said to him, "Under God this was your doing, Maister Ja

and said to his wife, "It was

tongue was loosed, and he lifted up his

ere's something ahint that face,' and my heart warmed to George that hour. Two years after the Doctor examined the schule, and he looks at George. 'That's a likely lad, Dominie. What think ye?' And he was only eight years auld, and no big

innie, "it wes the day

msie s

r could na keep him going; he wes into Virgil afore he wes eleven, and the Lat

ed his head

I cam up to speak aboot the college, and

proariously, but

d hoo Geordie tramped ower the muir to the manse thro' the weet an' the snaw, and there w

ht in to guide him hame in the dark winter nichts, and mony a time when the

oo, and he was worth a

and first in the Gre

an hardly believe it.

ey had terrible adva

and whatna', but Drum

e fine reading

and Medal), George Howe

Medal), George Howe, D

" cried Whinnie,

laddie-and the Doctor's-we maunna forget him-it's his classics he hes, every book o' them. The Doctor 'ill be lifted when he comes back on Saturday. A'm thinkin' we'll hear o't on

hame of boasting that shuts the mouths of

se. Ye'll no mind the ha

not again break away, although sorely tem

riously as he leaped a dyke on his way to tell our Dr