Then all that was left of him was the stick , and this fell down on the back of a Goose who was taking a walk by the side of the ditch . `` Good heavens ! '' cried the Goose . `` It is going to rain sticks '' ; and she rushed into the water . CHAPTER I I SET OFF UPON MY JOURNEY TO THE HOUSE OF SHAWS I will begin the story of my adventures with a certain morning early in the month of June , the year of grace 1751 , when I took the key for the last time out of the door of my father 's house . The sun began to shine upon the summit of the hills as I went down the road ; and by the time I had come as far as the manse , the blackbirds were whistling in the garden lilacs , and the mist that hung around the valley in the time of the dawn was beginning to arise and die away . Mr. Campbell , the minister of Essendean , was waiting for me by the garden gate , good man ! He asked me if I had breakfasted ; and hearing that I lacked for nothing , he took my hand in both of his and clapped it kindly under his arm . `` Well , Davie , lad , '' said he , `` I will go with you as far as the ford , to set you on the way . '' And we began to walk forward in silence . `` Are ye sorry to leave Essendean ? '' said he , after awhile . `` Why , sir , '' said I , `` if I knew where I was going , or what was likely to become of me , I would tell you candidly . Essendean is a good place indeed , and I have been very happy there ; but then I have never been anywhere else . My father and mother , since they are both dead , I shall be no nearer to in Essendean than in the Kingdom of Hungary , and , to speak truth , if I thought I had a chance to better myself where I was going I would go with a good will . '' `` Ay ? '' said Mr. Campbell . `` Very well , Davie . Then it behoves me to tell your fortune ; or so far as I may . When your mother was gone , and your father -LRB- the worthy , Christian man -RRB- began to sicken for his end , he gave me in charge a certain letter , which he said was your inheritance .
` So soon , ' says he , ` as I am gone , and the house is redd up and the gear disposed of ' -LRB- all which , XXXXX , hath been done -RRB- , ` give my boy this letter into his hand , and start him off to the house of Shaws , not far from Cramond .
Ay Campbell Christian Davie Essendean Goose Hungary SHAWS left morning