Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1834-03-13
M ISC ELL AN Y.
From the London Forget me-not.
THE SOLDIERS RETURN.

Seven or eight years ago, l was trav-
elling between Berwick and Selkirk, and
having started at the Growing Of the
cock, ! had left Meirose before four in
the afternoon. On arriving at Abbots-
ford, l perceived highland soldier, ap-
parently fatigued as my self, leaning upon
a walking stick, and gazing intensely on
the fairy palace Of tie magician whose
wand is since broken, but whose magic
still remains. l am no particular disci-
pie Of Lavater, yet the man carried his
soul upon his face, and we were friends at
the first glance. He wore plain high
land bonnet, and coarse great gray
coat, buttoned to the throat. His dress
bespoke him to belong only to the ranks; !;
but there was q dignity in his manner,
and fire, glowing language in his eyes
worthy of chieltain. His height might
exceed five feet nine, and his age bs a
bout thirty. The traces Of manly beau
ty were still upon his cheeks; but the sun
of a Western Hemisphere had tinged
them with sallow hue, and imprint ed
untime ly iurrOws,
Our conversation related chiefly to the
classic scenery around US; and we had
pleasantly journeyed together for two or
three miles, when we arrived at little
sequestered burial ground by the wayside
near which there was neither church nor
dwelling. Its low wall was thinly COW
cred with turf, and we sat down upon il
to rest. My companion became silent
and melancholy, and his eyes wandered
anxiously among the graves.
"Here," said he, sleep some OF my
fathers children, who died in infancy
He picked up a small stone from the
ground, and, throwing it gently about
ten yards, "that," added he, "is the very
spot But, thank heaven! no grave stone
has been raised during my absence! 1t
is a token shall find my parents living;
and" continued he, with sigh, "may
] also find their love! 1t is hard, sir,
when the heart Of Il parent is turned a
gslnst his own child"
He dropped his head upon his brea for
q few moments and was silent, and has
tily raising his fore finger to his eyes,
seemed to dash away a solitary tear
Then turning to me, he continued
"You may think, sir, this is weakness in
q soldier; but human hearts beat beneath
q red coat. My father, whose name is
Campbell, and who was brought from
Argyleshire while young, is wealthy
farmer in this neighborhood. Twelve
years ago, loved a being gentle as the
light of summer morn. We were chill
dren together, and she grew in beauty
on my sight, as the star Of evening steals
into glory through the twilight. But
she was poor and portionlcss, the daugh-
tor Of mean shepherd. Our attach
ment offended my father. He comman-
ded me to leave her forever. ! could
not, and he turned me from his house
/ wandered, / knew not, and cared
not, whither. But will not detain y on
with my history. In my utmost need, ]
met q sergeant ofthe forty-second, who
wss then upon the recruiting service,
and in few weeks l joined that regi-
ment ofproud hearts. Twas at Brussels
when the invitation to the wolf and the
raven rung at midnight through the
street. II was the herald OF day of
glory and Of death. There were three
big ghland regiments Of us three joined
in one-joined in rivalry, in love, and in
purpose; and, thank fate! l was pre-
sent when the I'LL then invincible leg gions
Of the cuirassed Gauls, rushed with their
war horses neig hing destruction, upon a
kneeling phalanx Of Scottish hearts, ,shiel-
ded only by the plaid and tho bare bon
net, from BE unsheath sabres of the
united glory Of France, as they poured