The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-11-13
ROMANCE OF REAL LIFE.

The author of the Loungers Common
Place Book says there have been two songs
written on the following adventure, but that they
are bad. We have an impression upon our
memory, that we have seen good song upon it.,
though we cannot remember where, probably
in Mr.. Allan Cunningham's collection of the
Songs Of Scotland We should be obliged to
any correspondent who could find it for US. The
subject, one would think, is too affectingly true
not to have called forth some corresponding
strain.
Adam Fleming, the son of little farmer, dur
ing the reign of Mary inheriting from nature an
attractive person and vigorous mind, and re-
ceiving, from the kindness of maternal uncle
an education superior to what is generally bes
towed on persons of his rank, in society, had
won the affections Of beautiful and wealthy
heress in the shire of Dumfries. But, as it sell
dom happens that we can enjoy any pleasure or
any happiness without exciting envy or discon-
tent in those who are less fortunate or less de-
serving, the preference given TO Fleming by
Helena Irving, before a host of visitors, excited
in one Of the disappointed candidates nveterate
maignity, and vows Of vengeance Observing
that a favorite evening walk ofthe lovers was on
the banks of the Kirtle, romantic httle stream,
skirted with shrubs and overhanging rocks, flow
ing in a serpentine course near the Abbey OF
Kirkconnel, the villain procured a carbne and
i'll
thicket near the place. The fond pair soon APP
preaching, he evelled the instrument Of death
at his unsuspecting rival; but occasionlng, as
he moved, rustling of the leaves, Helena turn
ed quickly round, saw his deadly purpose, and
defeated it by throwing herself before her lover
but, in preserving him, she received the con-
tents Of the gun in her own bosom, and sunk a
bloody and ifeless corse into his arms.
Neither love nor justice admitted moments
DELAY: placing his murdered mistress gently on
a bank, Adam pursued the flying, the cowardly
assassin with the fury of a hungry lion; soon
overlook him, and Selling the merciless ruffian
by tn. hair of his head, planted dagger IN his
heart. The report of the piece, and the cries of
the dastardly fugitive drawing several peasants
to the spot, Fleming, instead Of submitting his
conduct to the justice of his country, which must
have considered it as justlfiable homicide, and
without well knowing what he sought, fed to-
wards the sea-coast, where he saw a vessel out
ward bound throwing himself into boat he
went on board, made a conhdant of the captain,
and sailed with him to Lisbon.
Careless life, and probably wishing TO shorten
it, he entered into the service OF the king OF Por
tuga, and distinguished himself, in military ca
pacity at some Of the distant possessions OF that
monarch, in the Brazils. Receiving, alter many
years, ample rewards, and an honorable dlsmis-
sion, he resolved, in the spirit of the times, to
expatc the crime Of murder, TO which he re-
ceived such urgent provocaton, but for which
he could not forgive himself, by pilgrimage 10
the Holy Land. Having accomplished his pur-
pose. he was anxious TO pass the short spnce OF