Short Stories/Novellas

The Two Drovers is a short story written by Sir Walter Scott, a renowned Scottish author. The story is set in the Scottish Highlands and follows the lives of two drovers, or cattle drivers, named Harry and Robin. Harry is a wealthy Englishman who has recently inherited a large estate in Scotland, while Robin is a poor Scotsman who has been working as a drover for many years.The story begins with Harry and Robin meeting at a cattle market and striking up a friendship. They decide to travel together to Harry's estate, where Robin will help him manage his new herd of cattle. Along the way, they encounter various obstacles and challenges, including bad weather, difficult terrain, and hostile locals.As they reach their destination, tensions begin to rise between Harry and Robin. Harry becomes increasingly arrogant and dismissive of Robin's expertise as a drover, while Robin becomes resentful of Harry's wealth and privilege. The situation comes to a head when a valuable bull goes missing from the herd, and Harry accuses Robin of stealing it.The rest of the story follows the aftermath of this accusation, as the two men struggle to reconcile their friendship and find a way to move forward. Along the way, they encounter various other characters, including a wise old shepherd and a young woman who becomes romantically involved with Robin.Throughout the story, Scott explores themes of class, wealth, friendship, and morality. He paints a vivid picture of life in the Scottish Highlands during the early 19th century, with its rugged landscapes, harsh weather, and complex social dynamics. The Two Drovers is a powerful and thought-provoking tale that offers a glimpse into a bygone era and the lives of those who inhabited it.THIS 32 PAGE ARTICLE WAS EXTRACTED FROM THE BOOK: Chronicles of the Canongate; Highland Widow; Two Drovers; Surgeon�������s Daughter; My Aunt Margaret�������s Mirror; Tapestried Chamber, by Sir Walter Scott. To purchase the entire book, please order ISBN 1419179853.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

A party on the Highland Tour comes upon a miserable hut hidden away among a patch of cliffs. Upon inquiring about what lies before them, the ladies hear the wretched tale of Elspat MacTavish, the Highland Widow, who is condemned forever to live penitent and alone. After the suppression of the Highland clans, the widow’s son, Hamish, sets off with honorable intentions of joining the coalition on its campaign against the French into America. But soon the unfortunate Hamish finds himself tricked by his own mother. The ensuing events produce a tragic ending made all the more pathetic by the unquenchable passion of a once-proud nation that continues to beat in the breast of one woman.

Collected in this volume are three eerie supernatural Gothic tales: "My Aunt Margaret's Mirror" - the tale of a superstitious woman who fears the sight of herself in mirrors, because she's certain she'll see apparitions there; "The Tapestried Chamber," and "Death of the Liard's Jock."

Sir Walter Scott, 1st Baronet (1771-1832) was a prolific Scottish historical novelist and poet popular throughout Europe during his time. In some ways Scott was the first author to have a truly international career in his lifetime, with many contemporary readers all over Europe, Australia, and North America. His novels and poetry are still read, and many of his works remain classics of both English-language literature and specifically Scottish literature. Famous titles include: Ivanhoe, The Lady of the Lake and Waverley. At the age of 25 he began dabbling in writing, translating works from German, his first publication being rhymed versions of ballads by Bürger in 1796. He then published a three-volume set of collected Scottish ballads, The Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border. This was the first sign of his interest in Scottish history from a literary standpoint. Amongst his other works are Marmion (1808), The Heart of Mid-Lothian (1818), Rob Roy (1818), The Bride of Lammermoor (1819), The Fortunes of Nigel (1822), St. Ronan's Well (1823), The Betrothed (1825), Kenilworth (1821), The Mirror and Quentin Durward.