3obn jt)oun0er 383 



was too modest and diffident to entertain the idea, and 

 it was only after long and strong pressure on the part 

 of his friends that he was persuaded to become a com- 

 petitor. So much time had been consumed in removing 

 his scruples that only forty-eight hours were left in 

 which to write the essay. It was written, however, and 

 despatched. Presently the news came that the second 

 prize of i 5 had been awarded to John Younger. Great 

 was the rejoicing in Tweedside. Bonfires blazed, bells 

 rang merrily, and John's neighbours went clean daft 

 over his success. 



" A prood mon " was the St. Boswell's shoemaker, but 

 in the midst of his triumph there came a damper which 

 dimmed it. He was invited to appear at Exeter Hall, 

 London, to receive his prize from the hands of Lord 

 Shaftesbury. How was he to appear amongst all these 

 big-wigs when he had not a decent coat to his back ? 

 But his enthusiastic friends would not let that stand in 

 the way of John's maintaining the honour and dignity 

 of Tweedside. A suit of good black broadcloth was 

 provided for John, and he started for London. And 

 right valiantly did the St. Boswell's shoemaker face the 

 swells. Nay, more : when his prize was presented to 

 him with some eulogistic comments, John stood up and 

 " hammered off a ready-handed speech in broad Scots," 

 to the mingled amazement and amusement of the 

 nobility and gentry on the platform and the public in 

 the Hall. 



And then there was the coming back of the hero to 

 St. Boswell's ! How his wondering neighbours gathered 

 round him to listen open-mouthed to his adventures in 



