The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1841-09-28

While he was yet speaking, Tho grave digger
win pickaxe and spade over his shoulder enter
cd the ground, He approached within few yard
OF where we sat. He measured of narrow piec,
of earth--it encrcled the little stone which I'll,
soldier had thrown to mark the burial place Of his
family. Convulsion rushed over the features o
my companion; he shivered- tho grasped my arm
his lips auivered-hs breathing become short an.
ioud-the cold sweat trickled from his temples
He sprung over the .wall--he rushed towards til,
spot Hff' R'.a per- tta" ia 1875 14 llW
'Man, he exclaimed in agony, twhose grave il
that?' p.,t aldss sa5 u afr1re a1oa .tngBad y,
'Hoot AVA WI ye,' said the grave digger, start
ing back at his manner whatna way is that to glif
body!Aare We draf9' 1a4& fA@ah}ts ttf,}t'9
"Answer me- cried the soldier seizing his hand
'wkoss gfaye-whose grave il THAR as' 80 ia@ "
Mercy mef replied the man of death, 'sye ar,
surely out O. your head It's an aud body they ca
Adam Campbell's grave-now are ye ony thin.
the W User for spierin'P' " 1alH' 7sl @s'H il-ea1
him; and, clasping his hands together, he bent hi
head upon my shoulder, and wept aloud 's1e
viii not dwell upon the painful scene. Dur
ing his absence, adversely had given tho fortunes
Of his father to the wind, and he had died in
humble cottage, unlamented and unnoticed by tn,
friends Of his prosperity ~
AT the request of my fellow traveller, accom- pa
MED him to the house Of mourning Two or three
poor cottagers sat around the fro. The coffin with
the lid open, lay across the table near the window
A few hite hairs fell over the withered face o
the deceased, which seemed to indicate that he d
ed from sorrow rather than from age. The sor
pressed his lips TO his fathers cheek He groanec
in spirit and troubled He raised his head il
agony, an, with voice almost inarticula,e will
grief, exclaimed inquirngly. my mother''
The wondering peasants started to their feet ant
in silence pointed to lowly bed He hastenee
forward-he fell upon his knees BY the bedside
'My mother-O my mother!' he exclaimed,' d.
not you, too, leave me!-Look at me--speak to m,
i am your own son-your own Willie have you
too, forgot me, mother?' -5raa.
She, too, lay upon her death-bed, and the tide o
life was fast ebbing; but the remembered voice o
her beloved son drove it back for moment. Sh,
opened her eyes she attempted to raise her feeble
hand, and it fell upon his head. She spake, bu
he alone knew the words she uttered; they seemed
accents of mingled anguish, joy and blessing. For
sl FRI Had her hand ii I he
ed; and, as we approached him, the hand he held
stiff and lifeless. He wept no Ionger--he gaz
ed from the dead body of his father to that of his
mother--his eyes wandered wildly from the one tc
the other--he smote his hand upon his brow, and
threw himself upon chair, while misery trans
fixed him, if thunderbolt had entered his
soul. s..'5
will not give description OF the melancholy fl
neral and the solitary mourner The fathers obse
quies were delayed, and the son laid both parent.
in the same grave
Several months had passed away before gained
information respecting the sequel my little story
After his parents were laid in the dust, William
Campbell with a sad and anxious heart, made in
qurles after Jeanne Leslie, the object of his early
affections, to whom we have already alluded. Fol
several weeks his search was fruitess; but a
length he learned that considerable property hat
been left to her father by a distant relative ant
that he now resided somewhere IN DumfIies
shire.
In the same garb which have already described
the soldier set out his journey. With little difl
Guilty he discovered the house. 1t resembled suci
as are occupied by the higher class of farmers Th
front door stood open. He knocked. but no an
swer. He proceeded along the passage-he heart
voices the apartment on his right-again h
knocked, but UNDECIDED. He entered uninvl
ed. Agroup standing in the middle Of the floor
and among them a min lister, commencing the ma
riage service oftheCh. of Scotland The bride hum
her head sorowfully, and tears were stealing dow
her cheeks---she was his own, Jeanne Leslie, Tn
clergyman paused. The brides father stepped 70
ward angriy, and nqrired-sWhat do ye wan
sirf but instantly recognizing his features he sez
ed him by the breast, and, in a voice half>chocke
with passion, ,contnped---tSor "a We for
scoundrel what's brought ye here-7an' the mai
especial at q time like this? Get cut O. my house
sirl ] say, Willie Campbell, get cute my houusse
an never darken my door again wi your ne'er'd
weel countenance, ;sAai!i laa,lys i,,i s,,l 90 ,g
A sudden shrek followed the mention of hi
name, and Jeans Leslie fell into the arms Of he
bridesmaid ,iaaou t,,a ~ sg,,,s, ,et ~ dalsy ji
1 sPeace, Mr.. Leslle!' said the soldier, pushin
the, old man aside; since matters are thus, ! wi
only stop to say farewell, for ,auld langsyne; 70
cannot deny me thats a, ,rai,.oh y.,a,a,g,s.s,i !.
| He passed towards the object Of bis young loyt
She spoke not--she moved not--he took her hand
but, she seemed unconscious Of what he did; and g
he again gazed upon her beautiful counienance,a