Democratic standard. [volume] (Georgetown, Brown County, Ohio) 1837-1850, 1842-01-04
THE sOLDIER,s RETURN.

j had lett MetTose before Tour IN the ailer-
noon. On arriving at Abbotsford, per-
ceiyed Highland soldier, apparently as
fatigued as myself, leaning upon walking
stick, and gazing intensely on ihe fairy
palace Of the magician, whose wand is
since broken, but whose magic still re-
mains. am no particular disciple OF
Lavates's, yet the man carried his soul
upon his face, and we we're friends at
the FIRST glance. He wore plain High
land bonnet, and coarse grey coat, but
tened 10 the throat His dress bespoke
him to belong only TO the ranks; but there
was dignity in his manner, aud a fire,
saglowing language in his eyes, worthy of
a chiehain. His height might not ex-
csed Eve feet nine, and his age be about
thirty. The traces Of manly teauty were
sill upou his cheeks; but the sun of
western hemisphere had tinged them with
a sallow hue, and imprinted untimely
furrOWs.
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 sequeslered burial ground by the
way side, near which there was neither
church or dwelling. Its low wall was
thinly covered with turf, and we sat down
upon it 10 rest. My companion became
silent and melancholy, and his eyes wan.
dered anxiously among the graves.
"Hele," said he, "sleeps one 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, sis the very
spot. But thank God! no grave stone
has been raised in my absence. 1t is n
token ! shall find my parents living-and,
continued he, with a sigh, may also find
their love! 1t IS hard, sir, when the
heart ofa parent is turned against his
own child"
lie dropped his head upon bis breast
for few moments and was silent, and
hastily raising his iore.hnger 10 his
eyes, seemed 10 dash away a solitary
tear. Then turning TO me, he continued.
"You may think, sir, this is weakness in
a asoldier; but humrn hearts breath be
meath a red coat. My father, whose
name is Campbell, and who was brought
from Argyleshire while young, is veal.
thy farmer in this neighborhood. Twelve
years ago, | loved being as gentle as
the light ofR summer moon. We were
children together, and she grew in beauty
on my sight as the star Of evening steals
into the glory through the twilight But
she was poor and portionless, the daught
or Of mean shepherd. lie commanded
me to leave her forever. could not
and he turned mo from bis house. Il
wandered, knew not, and | cared not.
whittier. But | will not detain you with
my history. In my utmost need / met
seaTieant Of the forty second, who was
then upon the recruiting service, and IN
few weeks joined that regiment Of proud
hoarts.- was at Brussels when the inyi.
tation TO the wolf and the raven rang at
midnight through the streets. II was the
herald OF day Of glory and Of DEATH
There we're three Highland regiments of
us-three joined in one-joined in rival.
Ty, in love, and in purpose; and, thank
fate! | was present when the till then, in.
vincible legiOns of curassed GauIs, rush.
ed, with their war horses neighing de.
Btruction, upon kneeling phalanx of
Scottish hearts, shielded only by the plaid
and the bare bayonet from the unsheath-
cd sabTes Of the united glory of France,
as they poured like torrents Of death on
the waving plumes Of our devoted band,
70 extirpate our names from the annals
Of Scottish herOism. Then, then, in the
hour of peril and Of death, the genius of
country burst forth through darkness of
despair, like the flash Of the young sun
upon the earth when God said ELet there
be lightI"--as the Scots Greys flving 10
our aid, raised tho electric shout, "Scot-
land forever!"-"Scotland forever!" re-
turned our tartaned cIansmen-"S Scotland
forever!" echoed "Victory!" 1t was
moment ofinspiration and of Triumph
Forward, dashed our Highland heroes,
fearless as their fathers, restless as their
mountain cataracls! The proud sliced
and its mailed rider quailed at the shout.
Home and its world Of unutterable Joy
yes home and the fair bosom that would
welcome its hero; glory and the spirit Of
our fathers-all rushed upon our imagin.
alton at the sound. It was a moment Of
poetry, Of patriotism, and of inspiration
Of poetry felt by all, except the wretch,
Who never to himself hath said,
This is my own, my native land!
"Heaven!" added he, starting to his feet,
and grasping his staff, as the enthusiasm
OF tho past gusbed back upon his soul,
"to have joined in that shout was to live
an eternity in the vibration of pendu.
lum."
In few moments the animated soul
that gave eloquencs to his tongue drew
itself back into the chambers of humanity,
and, resuming his seat upon the low wall,
be continued:
II left my old regiment with prospect {
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