Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1896-10-26


the piece was very commonly known,
any ploughman might whistle it by acct
dent: and taught me instead a little
fragment of a Highland air. which has
run in my head from that day to this.
and will likely run in my head when |
lie dying. Every time it comes to me it
takes me off to that last day of my I'M
certainty. with Alan sitting up in the
bottom of the den, whistling and beating
the measure with finger, and the gray
of the dawn coming on his face
| was in the long street of Queensferry
before the sun was up. 1t was a fairly
built burgh, the houses of good stone.
thought, as that of PEBBLES, nor yet the
street so noble; but take it altogether, it
put me to shame for my foul tatters.
As the morning went on. and the fires
began to be kindled, and the windows to
open, and the people to appear out of the
houses, my concern and dependency
grew ever the blacker. | saw now that
| had no grounds to stand upOn and no
clear proof of my rights, nor so much as
of my own identity. If it was all
bubble, was indeed sorely cheated and
left in a sore pass. Even if things were
as I conceived. it would in all likelihood
take time to establish my contentious;
and what time had | to spare with three
shillings in my pocket, and Il condemned.
of the country? Truly, if my hope broke
with me, it might come to the gallows
yet for both of us. And as l continued
to walk UP and down, and saw people
look askance at me upon the street or
out of windows, and nudging or speaking
one to another with smiles, | began to
take fresh apprehension; that it might be
no easy matters even to come to speech
of the lawyer. far less to convince him
of my story.
For the life of me / could not muster
up the courage to address any of these
reputable burghers; [ thought shame
even to speak with them in such a pickle
of rags and dirt; and if [ had asked for
the house Of such a man as Mr.. Ran
keillor, | suppose they would have burst
out laughing in my face. So [ went up
and down, and through the street, and
down to the harbor-side like dog shat
has lost it's master, with strange gnaw-
ing in my inwards and every now and
then a movement of despair. 1t grew to
be high day at last, perhaps in the
forenoon: and | was worn with these
wanderings, and CHANGED to have stopped
in front of very good house on the
landWard side, a house with beautiful
clear glass windows, Towering knots
upon the stills, the walls new-harled
newly rough-castl and chase-dog sit
ting yaWning on the step like one that
was n home. Well. [ was even envy
ing this dumb brute, when the door fell
open and there issued forth little
shreWd, ruddy, kindly consequential man
in a well-powdered wig and sDectacles.
I was in such a plight that no one set
eyes on me once but he looked
at me again; and this gentleman,
as it proved, was so much
struck with my poor appearance that he
came straight uD to me and asked me
what I did.
/ told him / was come to the Queens
ferry on business, and taking heart of
grace, asked him to direct me to the
house of Mr. Rankeillor.
why" said he, that is his house that
| have just come out of; and for rather
singular chance, | am that very man"
"Then. SIR said I, II have to beg the
favor of an interview"
II do not know your NAME" said he,
''nor yet your face"
''My name is David Balfour." said I.
'David Balfour?' he repeated, in rath-
where have you come from, Mr.. David
Ralfour?' he asked, looking at me pretty
dryly in the face.
II have come from great many
strange places, sir" said | "but / think
it would be as we'll to tell you where and
how in more private manner"
He seemed to muse awhile, holding his
lip in his hand. and looking now at me
and now upon the causeway of the
street.
yes" said he, chat will be the best,
no doubt" And he led me back with
him into his house, cried out to someone
whom | could not see that he would be
engaged all morning, and brought me
into a little dusty chamber full of books
and documents Here he sat down. and
babe me be seated; though [ thought he
looked little ruefully from his clean
chair to my muddy rags. And now,
says he. ''if you have any business, pray
be brief and come swiftly to the point.
Nee germino bellum Trojanum orditur
alb ovo-do you understand that?' says
he. with a keen look.
II will even do as Horace says, sir,
| answered. smiling, ''and carry you in
medals res" He nodded as if he was
well pleased, and indeed his scrap of
Latin had been set to test me. For
all that, and though I was somewhat
encouraged. the blood came in my face
when I added: 81 have reason to be-
lieve myself some rights on the estate of
Shaws"
He got a paper book out of drawer
and set it before him open. ''Well?"
said he.
But had shot my bolt and sat speech
less.
"Come, come, Mr. Balfour," said he,
''you must continue. Where were you
born?'
sIn Essendean. SIR said I. Gin the
year 1874, the 18th of March,
He seemed to follow this statement in
his paper book: but what that meant
knew not "Your father and mother?"
said he.
.'My father was Alexander Balfour,
schoolmaster of that place. said |,
"and my mother Grace Pitarrow; [ think
her people were from Angus"
"Have you any papers proving your
identity?' asked Mr. Rankeilor.
'No, sir" said /, ''but they are in the
hands of Mr.. Campbell, the minister, and
could be readily produced. Mr.. Camp,
bell, TOO. would give me his word: and
for that matter, 1 do not think my I'M
Gle would deny me-"
"Meaning Mr.. Ebenezer Balfour"
says he.
''The same" said T.
''Whom you have seen2" he asked.
'By whom / was received in his own
house." [ answered.
did you ever meet a man of the
name of Hoseason?" asked Mr.. Rankeil-
lor.
81 did so. sir. for my SINS" said I:
l.