The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1838-10-10
SELECTED TALES.
THE SOLDIERS RETURN.

between Berwick aud Selktrk, and having
started at the Growing of the cock, had
left Melrosc before four IN the afternoon.
On arriving at Abbotsford, l perceived a
Highland soldier, apparently fatgued as
myself, leaning upon walking stick, and
gazing intensely on the fairy palace of the
magician, whose wand is since broken,
but whose music still remains. | am no
particular disciple of Lavater's, yet the
man carried his soul upon his face, and
we were friends at the first glance. He
wore plain Highland bonnet aud coarse
gray great coat bultoued to the throat. His
dress spoke him to belong only to the
ranks; but there was dignity to his man
ner and "a fire, glowing language in his
eyes worthy of chieftain. His height
might exceed five feet nine, aud his age be
about thirty. The traces of manly beauty
were still upon his cheeks but the sun of
the western hemisphere had tinged them
with sallow hue and imprinted untimely
futrows.
Our conversation related chiefly To the
classic scenery around US; and we had
pleasantly journeyeh together for two or
three miles when we arrived at n little Sc
questered burial ground by the wayside
near which there was neither church nOr
dwelling. Its low wall was thinly covered
with turf, and VIC sat down upon it to rest.
My companion became silent and melan-
choly, and his eyes wandered aDxiousIy n
mong the graves.
Here said he, sleep some of my ia.
theirs children, who died ~ infancy
He picked up small stone from the
ground, and throwing it gently about ten
yards, That > added he, is the very spot.
But, thank God no grave stone has been
raised during my absence 1t is n token
shall find my parents liying-and,' con-
tinued he with sigh, may ! also 6ud
their love. 1t is hard sir, when the heart
of parent is turned against his own child.
lie dropped his head upon his breast for
n few moments and was silent, aud hastily |
raising his forefnger to his eyes, seemed to
dush away soiirary tear. Then turning
to the, he continued:
You may think, sir, this is weakness
in soldier but human hearts beat be-
meath a red coat. My father whose name
is ChampbelI, and who was brought from
Argyleshire while young, is wealthy
farmer in this neighborhood. Twelve
years ago, | loved being gentle as the
light of summer moon. We were child
ren together, and she grew in beauty on
my sight, rs the star of evening steals into
glory through the Twilight. But she was
poor and portionless, the daughter of n
mean shepherd. lie commanded me to
leave her forever. could not, aud he
I I
knew not, carried not whittier. But will
not detain you with my history. la my
utmost need | met sergeant of the forty
second, who was then upon the recruiting
service, and in few weeks ! joined that
regiment Of proud hearts. ] was at Brus-
sells when the invitations Of the wolf and
the raven rang at midnight through the
streets /, was The herald OF "A day of glory
and of death. There were three Highland
regiments of us-thrcc joined in one--join-
ed in rivalry, in love and in purpose -
and thank Fate was present when the
Scots Greys, flying to our aid, raised the
shout, Scotland foreyern Scot !
land forever returned our tartaned clans
men; Scotland for ever y reverberated
rs from the hearts we had left behind us I;
and Scotland for cverh re-echoed Vic I
tory Heavens added he, starting to
his feet, and grasping his staff, rs The en-
thusiasm of the past gushed back upon his
soul, to have joined in that shout was to
live an enteruiry III the vibration of Il pen /,
dulum y
In few moments the animated soul that
gave eloqucncc to his tongue drew Itself
back into the chambers of humanity, nnd
resuming his seat upon the low wall he
continued, i left my own regiment with
the prospec; Of promorIon, and have since
served in the West Indies but | have
heard nothing ofmy father-nothng of my
understanding Of her | love-
While he was yet speaking, the grave
digger, with a pick axe and spade over his
shoulder, entered the ground. lie APP
preached within q few yards Of where we
sat. lie measured off narrow place Of
eauh-it encircIed the little stone which
the soldier had thrown to mark out the .
burial ploce Of his family. ConyulsIon .
rushed over the features of my companion
he shyered-he grasped my arm his lips .
quycred-his breathing became short and
loud-the cold sweat trickled from his
temples. lie sprang over the wnil-he
rushed towards tine spot
Man he exclaimed il agony, whose
grave is thatr
Hoo, nwa' wi ye,' said the grave dig
ger, starting back a, hts manner what -
a way is ths, to gIf body are ye daft q,
Answer inc,' cried the soldier scizinr
his hand. whose grave IS that = II
Mercy me r replied the man Of death,
ye are surely out o. your heads an
auld body that's cad Adam CampbeI's
erave-now arc you Uny thing the wiser for
spierin p
NV father = cried my oomrade ~ ap- +,
rroachess HIM and, claspiug his bands TO-