The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1845-04-05
2IlS0IAILlANNOTSo
THE OUTLAWS CRAG.

1t was an esfly dawn of November day
in the early pss Of The reign of the goo
I King Jamesdhat party OF horssmen woun
slowly along the narrow pass leading 10 III
CasAe Rolhscommon After proceeding i
silence for some distance, the leader of III
party suddenly exclaimed 10 his compan
ions;
by the road, Osmond but The air is keel
and blung ou The bleak hill. this morning
1t has almost chilled The very marrow II
my bones, so that my limbs are as sIif a
any Lance in ChIslendon.
i marvel much that one bent upon 81
bonny an eusnI as yours. should feel Ih'
winlry blast. Melhnks ,hou viii, make
sorry bridegroom returned his compap
l0n.
"A sruce 10 thy jesling, answered tn
trsl speaker, who waj none other than Si
Rupert Sterling; together with his cousin
O!moad and attendants, jouraeying 10 Iht
Castle Rolhscommon. the lovely hsiress oI
VII ch Sir Rupert was abou! 10 wed.
The Earl, her father, had il long in con
temptation 10 wed his daughter, as old age
was fast creeping upon him,he was anxou,
TO see her provided with suitable protector
before he should be called away. With lhi'
idea he had profeled her in msrriage 10 Sll
Rupert some months previous 10 The open
ng OF our sloty.-Allhough he had bu
seldom seen his intended oriGe;he playtully
accepted the oferfo the fame of the GENT,
Alice had oI,en been spoken of in his pre-.
sence. Many suilrrs, both fair and noble
had been rejected by her. and this ofIe
rom her father was an honor he did no
fail 10 accept
The news Of this step taken by her falhe
was received by Alice with deep emotion
and surprise, which wss attributed by hin
o natural lihldily and maiden reserve,
which would soon wear away and give
place 10 more joyful feelings. She replied
o her father that her destiny wal in his
lands, and whatever be his choice it woul,
)e her duty; as an obeden, child, to obey
Spoken like good child, and | vii
warrant thou will be pleased with ,hnt
Intended husband ,as he is fair and coney
gallant to look upon, one who cannot be
matched with short sword or lance IN al
ChrislendOm He will be here I,
claim his pretty bride this day three weeks.
80 my daugher make all preparations lu
receive him in manner becoming iht
helress of Rolhscommon.'
so soonr said Alice with start and a,
an ashy paeness spread over her beauuiu
features. why this hasle1 My dear lslhe
this announcement is unexpected, the posi-
llon | should occupy is novel one; | sha
scarce find time 10 prepare myself for the
important evon.. besceeh thee grant me
a longer novltlsle.'
i is impossible, my daughter, The day
has been'appoInted, and Sit Ruper. is /,
lake up his residence with US some tim,
previous 10 The happy day; SO shat he may
have an opportunity Of becoming better &C
quain,ed with hi. future wife. | doubt no
but he is on his way hither.'
Alice lowed meekIy n silence. and with
drew 10 her own chamber To brood IN solitude
On the inevitable destiny that awaited her
She threw herself upon couch and b urs
INTO tears.
;Oh, Oscar, Oh Oscar she exclaimed
mne own beloved long lost one, woulc
thui thou vert here ~ advise me in thl,
dire extremity! Oh, cruel, cruel faIeH And
another burst OF Tears relieved her overbur
dehed heart.
Oscar RuIhvan was an orphan, raised ant
educated in the family OF The Earl from
the age Of ten yesrs;his father was slain b!
The Sarsrens during he wars OF Palestine
whittier he had gone lO defend the Holy
City from The insults OF the inhdel; hi,
mother, delicate. sensitive being, couiC
i'll Withstand The shock, snl afIer a shor
illness followed her husband to The grave
leaving their only child an orphan, expcset
10 the hardship and bufeIlngs u Ihs world
The Earl, learning of lis desolale condition
took hin into his family and adopted hia
as his son