Blair Collection > Popular tales of the West Highlands > Volume 2

XIX.
THE INHERITANCE.
From Donald Macintyre, Benbecula.
THERE was once a farmer, and he was well off. He
had three sons. When lie was on the bed of
death he called them to him, and he said, " My sons,
I am going to leave you : let there be no disputing
when I am gone. In a certain drawer, in a dresser in
the inner chamber, you will find a sum of gold ;
divide it fairly and honestly amongst you, work the
farm, and live together as you have done with me ; "
and shortly after the old man went away. The sons
buried him ; and when all was over, they went to the
drawer, and when they drew it out there was nothing
in it.
They stood for a while without speaking a word.
Then the youngest spoke, and he said — "There is
no knowing if there ever was any money at all ; "
the second said — " There was money surely, wherever
it is now ;" and the eldest said — " Our father never
told a lie. There was money certainly, though I can-
not understand the matter." " Come," said the eldest,
" let us go to such an old man ; he was our father's
friend ; he knew him well ; he was at school with
him ; and no man knew so much of his afiairs. Let
us go to consult him.
So the brothers went to the house of the old man,