The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1822-08-20

SonHs minister entered the Shealing
u nln'. .ie TWO shepherds lay down on
lhe'r piasas below some oserhanging rocks,
wsere uie ground was Just as dry as the
lloor OF room. Welco,ne-welcotne
Slr-you are not just the one 1 have been
hoping ior-but If he does not arrive till
am gone, trust that, although we are
oil diaefent creeds, God viii receive my
poor sinful soul Of your hands.--You are 4
good pious minister of his word-Mr. Cor.
don, ! am Catholic, and you Protestant
but through Him who died for us WI
surely may alike hope to be saved. Thai
was a sore pang, sir-say prayer-say a
prayer
The old Man was stretched in his High.
land garb, (he had never worn anotherl on
decent clean bed, that sme,t sweet and
fresh OF the heather. His long silvery
locks, OF which it was thought he had for
many years been not little proud, and
winch had so often waved in the mountain
winds, were now lying still--the fixed and
sunkcn look of approaching death was on
face, which, now that lis animation was
Gained, seemed old, old indecd--but there
was something alesiic in his massey bulk,
stretched out beneath an in.xorablc pow sr
in that Shealng little larger than a vaulled
grave. lie lay there like AN old chielt,n
OF the elder tiine--one of Ossian's he
roes, unfortunate IN his later age---and dy-
ng Ingloueusly at last with little weeping
Malvina at his heather couch. The open
chimney, II so it might be called, black with
smoke, lei IN glimmcr Of the sky--a smail
torch made OF the pune wood was burning
close 10 the nearly cXtnguished peat en-
bcrs, and IFS light had, no doubt, been use
tul when the shadow of the thunder cloud
darkened the little window, that consisted
of single pane. But through that single
pane the eye could discern a sublime am
phlthcatrc Of woodland ellis, and il almost
seemed as II placed there TO command a
view of the great Cataract.
Mr.. Gordon prayed--While little Flora
sat down on the foot Of the bed, pale but
not weeping, for awe had hushed her soul
Not word was in his prayer which might
not nave comicrted any dying Christian, of
any creed, in any part of the earth. God
was taking back the life he had given, and
An immortal soul was about to go to judg-
ment The old man had made small show
of religion--but he had never violated its
ordaanccs-and that he was good Cath
Ole was acknowledged, otherwise he would
not have been so well beloved and kindly
treated by Mr.. Macdonald, man of piety
and virtue. Now and then a groan came
from his ample chest, and convulsion
shook all his frame-lor there was no gene
raj decay of nature-some mortal malady
/, sI. tta.,l -.,I l., IL
you-my dear young boy" said the ancient
white headed image" this is Il hard strug-
gle-a cannon bali is more mercifuI." Then
Flora wopt, and went up to his head and
wiped the big drops from his brow, and kiss
sed him. "Ths is my little Flora's kiss
am sure but nay eyes are dim, and see
thee not. My bonny roe, thou must trot "a
way down, when am Dead 20 the low
conntry--down to some ofmy friends about
the Fort-tlis bit Shealmg vii! be wild
den sooh---and the raven will sit upon the
deer's horn when am gone My rifle keeps
him on the cliff now-but God forgive me-
what thoughts are these for a dying man
tod forgive me-"
Old Lewis Cameron sat up on his hea-
ther-bed and looking about, said, al can,
not last long but it comes in fits ; now
have no paiu. Was it not kind in that
fearless creature to run down the glen IN
that thunder storm Twas scarcely SEN
sible when knew, by the silence of the
Shealing, that she was gone. In little, |
sat up, as | am doing now, and | saw her,
through that bit window, far down the glen.
knew God would keep down the water
for her sake--shc was like sea-mew in
Storm" Flora went out, and brought in
the shepherds. They were awe-struck on
seeing the gigantic old man sitting up with
his long white hair and ghost like face--but
he stretched out his hand to them-and
they received his blessing.
Flora, give the minister and the lads
some reffeshment-cat and drink at my
death-eat and drink at my funeral. Aye
Il am a pensioner of the King |
will leave enough to make Aud Lewis Ca
meron's Funeral as cheerful one as ever
gathered together in barn, and likewise
leave Flora there, enough to make life blythe
when she is woman" Flora brought out
the goat milk cheese, the barley cakes and
the whskey jar and, old Lewis himself
having blessed the meal, Mr.. Gordon, the
shepherds, and little Flora too, sat down
and ate.
Old Lewis looked at then. 9TH smile. |
My eyesight is come bach to mel see
my Flora there as bonny as eyer-Tastc
the whisky, Mr.. Gordon--it is sma' still, |
and will do no harm 10 no man. Mr.. Cor |
don, You may wonder--no, you will not
wonder, tohear adying man speaking thus. |
But God has given mo meat aud drink for |
hamdred years, and that is the last meal | !,
shall ever bless. | look on you all as fell
low Christians, now supported by the same
God that fed me. Eat-drink-and be
merry.--Thlsis the very day of the month |
on which General Wolfe was killed. pro-
per day forsan old soldier to die. think | |
sec the General lying on the ground, for |
WAS near him as an nrdcrIr srrinnnt CO |