The Highland monthly - National Library of Scotland

Scenes of Long Ago. 355
households. At fairs, Mark Teviot and James Macbride
might usually be seen together—an arrangement which was
greatly to the benefit of the latter, inasmuch as the tacksman
of Dell was by nature and habit ill adapted for buying
and selling to advantage after the manner in which business
was then transacted. He was, as we have already hinted,
of an easy-going disposition, prone to procrastination, and
always good humoured. When in his cups, as sometimes
happened, he became \'ery sentimental and confidential.
But it is right to add that, notwithstanding these
characteristics, he possessed a temper which, when fairly
roused, was impatient of contradiction and liable to flame
forth into fiery bursts of short-lived passion.
When \^oung, he had never occupied himself in any
pursuit which might have called his energies into activity.
He had been brought up at Drumblankit, as heir of entail to
that property, by his uncle, who was understood to be a
confirmed old bachelor. Macbride of Drumblankit was
unspeakably proud of his connection with the Macbrides of
Duncairn, who had been raised to the peerage of Scotland
after the Restoration. Nor was this connection only an
empty boast, for his family were next in succession to the
line of Duncairn, in respect of both blood and land, minus
the titles.
Drumblankit was an exceedingly small estate, and it was
only with difficulty that the proud old man could maintain
an establishment corresponding to those of the neighbouring
tacksmen. It was not in his nature to have much affection
for anyone except Macbride of Drumblankit, but, whatever
of this could be shared, he lavished upon James Macbride
—not, however, so much as the person and his nephew as
the heir to his property and prospects, which embraced the
length and breadth of the parish of Keilangus. And if
James received few tokens of attachment from the laird, it
must be admitted that he made no great profession of any
in return. From the first year of his residence at Drum-
blankit, although falling easily into the ways of the house,