Lincoln telegraph. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1836-1846, 1841-10-14
NO. 90


give YOU, for revenge is dear TO Highlander
Time gradually lessened m hatred; but it was
not till subsequent events had shown the deep
ness of your regret, and the reality of your self
reproach, that my resentment finally gave way.
even began to pity and though, at one time,
should have reiolced and gloried. in my impos-
ture now regard il in different light and, so
far from your asking my forgiveness, it is ought
to be a suppliant to you"
"Roderoi-for so | must still call you, eiac-
uated the old mani it is not for me to COM
pain Your presence and your pardon have ca
sed the mental torment suffered. TO me you
have acted as a sen; continue to do so; let the
secret die with US. No one is injured; and the
rightful heir resumes the land of his ancestors
without any one to oppose him; for Annette,
falling issue of my own body, is my next heir
"Your will is mine if such is your command,
it shall be obeyed.'
"Giye me your hand. l shall now die CON
tent, tits needless to distress Annette; let her
never know you are her cousin
The old laird fingered few days, and then died
in peace and charity with all.
Some twenty five years after the death of the old
Laird of Dungyle, the estates came into the pos
session oChis grandson, Donald, the Of Roderick
Roderick had gone the way of all flesh Annette
survived him. and, in the education of her daughter,
Isabella, sought oblivion for hel sorrows. Donald
was fine young man. fond of his mother and sister;
but by no means under petticoat government--
Whilst at Fdingburgh college, he formed an in,ima-
cy with the Master of Methven-the eldest son of
Lord Methven; peer of ancient family; and, to the
friendship thus formed j; is than probable that
love for the Honorable Emma Methven not little
contributed.
As Donald was not bad match for the daughter
Of by no means opulent nobleman, the intimacy
was cultivated by the parents; and Roderick, whose
great object was the happiness of his son, gave
sanction, before his demise, to the projected union.
After the period of mourning had elapsed, prepare
lions made for the marriage, and the lawyers
were busy with the settlements.
One morning, about fortnight before the day
fixed for the nuptials Donald received letter. the
! contents of which excited the most lively astonish
ment. II was as follows:
"Sir--We are instructed by our client, Mr.. Rod
erick Campbell of DungyIe, to take legal steps
against you. to recover the estates wrongfnly held
by you, and which belong to him We have there
fore to intimate to you, that unless they are
surrendered in the course of fortnight, legal steps
will be adopted.
1--WE are, Sir, your obedent servants,
"sHARpE & SWIFT, W. s."
"sr. james CouRT,
''2Oth March, IL"
'Sharp and Swift, with vengeance % exclaim-
ed the bewildered youth. ''Sharp work, to insist
upon my giving up my estate; and swift work to do
so in fortnight What title can this man set up to
my grandfather estate ? None that | can con-
ceve, for the descent from him to my father, and
from him to me, is undoubted.''
Donald, however, lost no time in communicating
this unexpected requisition to his intended atherin-
law, to whom he handed the letter. Lord Methvep
read the episte carefully. #....
"Was not Roderick your fathers name'''
''It was. my Lord"
ole was implicated in the rebellion. 1852
"fle was but he gotta remission from the late
King, of all crimes and offences He was never at
tainted
"Then,' reioned his Lordship, 81 am quite at
! fault. 1t certainly did occur 10 me, that this claim
might have been resed.upon his supposed aainture
With your permission will place this document in
the hands of my family agents. Messrs. Slow &
Sure, w. S and direct them to enter into com
municaton with the agents o. your unknown adyer-
saty,'
1t would not be very interesting to our readers to
detail the legal game of chess, played by these skill
| fnl men of law against each other; and it may SUI
fee to mention that claim, which extended TO all the
large estates orthe old Laird of Dungyle, based
upon tho fact, that the competitor neither
nor less than the son, whose place had been filled
by Roderick.
As the imposture of Roderich Grahame had been
carefully concealed. and the secret had apparently
died with him, his SOL and widow naturally viewed
the claim purely fictitious, and characterised the
demand as an attemp, to extort money nevertbe-
less they were staggered by the bold steps adopted
by their opponent, who proceeded to get himself
served, before the baies of the Canongate, as the
only lawful son of Donald Campbell, of Dungyle
and Tnshanpock. The proorwas apparently con-
clusve--the identification of the claimant was de-
pendent upon the testimony oc two witnesses, who
swore distinctly 10 the fact. 1t was proved that
Young Campbell went to France, held situation IN
IL I'll,