Wandering Willie [illustration] At that time there were a good many beggars going about the country, who lived upon the alms of the charitable.

Among these were some half-witted persons, who, although not to be relied upon, were seldom to any extent mischievous.

We were not much afraid of them, for the home-neighbourhood is a charmed spot round which has been drawn a magic circle of safety, and we seldom roamed far beyond it.

There was, however, one occasional visitor of this class, of whom we stood in some degree of awe.

He was commonly styled Foolish Willie.