The Highland monthly - National Library of Scotland

Willie Gillies.
" If ye mean a collegian, no. But as for a student in
the way of reading, I never saw his equal. The spune is
hardly out o' his mou' when he's tooth and nail at his buik.
Ye speir what is he doing ? Weel, he's in lawyer H 's
office, Not a regular apprentice, because he canna pay the
regular 'prentice fee, and the auld skinflint has'nt the heart
to dae him justice, tho' I'm tauld by ane wha shu'd ken
that's the head clerk—that Willie is the handiest lad aboot
the place, and has the langest head ever seen on a callant's
shouthers ; except that he's a thocht too strict for the
lawyer craft, whilk is just a gipsy clouting of crazy pots
and pans, maybe wi' stolen material."
This was all the information I could (gather from the
head of the eating-house, a plain, honest man, with a
prudent eye to business, and a sound heart under his
doublet, but who, in the management of his business and
in "genteel feenish," as he said himself, was quite eclipsed
by his wife and daughter. What he told whetted my
•curiosity to know more of Willie Gillies, and for that purpose
I resolved to keep Justinian as a spiritual medium between
him and me. The plan succeeded to a miracle. Willie
from day to day became more communicative about the
difficulties that beset him in his readings, and my elucidations
were ever at his command.
Willie's learning was scanty, but his application and per-
severance frightened me. ] knew by experience the sad
blighting of over-study. Lawyer B 's office was shut
on Saturday afternoons, and as our friendship progressed, I
also stole a half-day weekly holiday from my work in order
to stroll with Willie into the country. My health required
this relaxation, for pure air and active exercises are the best
stimulants to a languid temperament and debilitated con-
stitution. Besides, I flattered myself that I was not selfish
in my indulgence, since it brought Willie from his attic in a
narrow lane to inhale health and strength in the open air.
We now took up with Justinian, Glanville, and the Regiam
Majestatem. The combined history of Roman and
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