Chapter 1

           IwillbeginthestoryofmyadventureswithacertainmorningearlyinthemonthofJune,theyearofgrace1751,whenItookthekeyforthelasttimeoutofthedoorofmyfather’shouse.ThesunbegantoshineuponthesummitofthehillsasIwentdowntheroad;andbythetimeIhadcomeasfarasthemanse,theblackbirdswerewhistlinginthegardenlilacs,andthemistthathungaroundthevalleyinthetimeofthedawnwasbeginningtoariseanddieaway.

           Mr.Campbell,theministerofEssendean,waswaitingformebythegardengate,goodman!HeaskedmeifIhadbreakfasted;andhearingthatIlackedfornothing,hetookmyhandinbothofhisandclappeditkindlyunderhisarm.

           “Well,Davie,lad,”saidhe,“Iwillgowithyouasfarastheford,tosetyouontheway.”Andwebegantowalkforwardinsilence.

           “AreyesorrytoleaveEssendean?”saidhe,afterawhile.

           “Why,sir,”saidI,“ifIknewwhereIwasgoing,orwhatwaslikelytobecomeofme,Iwouldtellyoucandidly.Essendeanisagoodplaceindeed,andIhavebeenveryhappythere;butthenIhaveneverbeenanywhereelse.Myfatherandmother,sincetheyarebothdead,IshallbenonearertoinEssendeanthanintheKingdomofHungary,and,tospeaktruth,ifIthoughtIhadachancetobettermyselfwhereIwasgoingIwouldgowithagoodwill.”

           “Ay?”saidMr.Campbell.“Verywell,Davie.Thenitbehovesmetotellyourfortune;orsofarasImay.