Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1847-01-21

BY CLAY CLAYTON.
In the old days of Scottish persecution,
when the Covenanters were hunted like the
deer upon their native hills by the myrmi-
dons of despotic and cruel king lived a
minister by the name of Cameron. Ever
since his boyhood Robert Cameron had
dwelt in the same vicinity, and in the same
little but tidy cottage, PRETTY situated upon
one Of those frequent friths or estuaries which
put up from the German Ocean and indent
the eastern shore of Scotland There, man
and boy, he had resided for forty years, al
ways beloved and respected, and for the last
fifteen years of that period, revered and al
most worshipped as the spiritual guide and
adviser of the surrounding community
Married in early manhood to a lovely and
serious-minded woman, and blessed in the
course Of time with sweet and healthy
daughter, Mr.. Cameron considered he had
good reason to rejoice and be thankful that
the lines had fallen to him in such pleasant
places. But as years rolled on, his shrewd
mind began to perceive the clouds that were
gathering around the scrupulous and I'M
bending sect to which he belonged. But
though he endeavored in the limited circle
of his influence to produce feeling on the
part of his brethren less tenacious of points
really not essential to their faith, and in this
manner to call forth by the force of sympa-
thy, more tolerant spirit in their opposers,
yet all that any one man could do, however
influential, would have only served to miti-
gate not avert the approaching storm.
Efiie Cameron, at the period our tale opens,
had almost reached her eighteenth year.
She was not beautiful-eXcept to those who
loved her, though they were all who knew
Der. Slight and graceful in her form as the
lily, and we had almost said, as fair, though
not as fragile-she was the idol, but perhaps
that is too strong an expression, of her faith
er's heart. And Effie, on her part, loved
her father as only daughter can love, with
a love which seemed equally blended of af-
lection and reverence. She would no more
thought of disputing an opinion or sentiment
uttered by him, than of cavilling at the words
of her well conned Bible
The days of persecution had commenced
and Robert Cameron had become in many
respects a changed man. So long as he
thought there was any possibility of the
storm blowing over, he had counselled gen.
tleness, moderation, and as far as possible,
obedience to the powers that be"-but,
b when once the blood-hounds of persecution
were Embossed, he saw the day for mild coun-
sells was past Every feeling then became
merged in one--that none of his flock should
abandon their faith.
The head and front of the persecution in
the section of country where Mr.. Cameron
lived, was very wealthy farmer by the name
of Johnston. Descending from an old COW
enanting family, he had always, until the
tempest began to threaten, attended regular
ly upon Mr.. Cameron's preaching. He was
the wealthiest, and of course one of the most
influential members of his church, and the
first to fall away. Not only did he renounce
the faith in which he had been educated,
but, in accordance with the old maxim, that
Zone apostate is worse than ten infdels," he
became very open and bitter in his denun-
citation of those who still adhered to it. Mr.
Cameron could not even if he felt the dis
position, allow such glazing apostacy to
pass over in silence. He held him up tc
the adherence of his hearers the next Sab.
bath, as traitor to his name, his conscience
and his God
-. The effect of such sermon, the purpor
of which was soon conveyed to Johnston.
ears, was as might have been supposed. In
proportion as he felt that his old associates
hated and despised him, became his hatred
of them, and his desire to grow in the favol
of his new friends. And though he had no
taken at first an active part with the perse
cutors, he soon became one of the most VIC
lent and unrelenting of them. In an espec
ial manner his hatred ragged against Mr.
Cameron--who, in short time, was obliged
to leave his home, visiting his family only
by stealth, and take refuge in the hiding pla
ces among the hills.
1t was sweet morning in summer, ant
Mr.. Cameron, who had stolen into his nous,
just before the break of day, was sitting be
tween his wife and daughter, narratng in
light, playful tone, what it was evident from
their faces they thought was no light matter
his adventures since he had last departed
from them, when lad who had been depu
ted to watch and announce the approach O
any strangers, burst into the room with tn,
Information that party of soldiers ha'
reached the vicinity of the cottage upper
ceiyed, and were already on the point of en-
tering the little enclosure in front of it,
Guessing at the first word the purport of thu
boys story, MIR. Cameron sprung to his feet
and fled through the back door just as
couple of soldiers were turning the corne
Of the cottage.
"Stop, or we will fire !" cried the fore
most, levelling his musket.
But the fugitive knew too well the torture
that awaited him, worse than death, if h
was taken, and therefore slackened not hi
pace
He heard a report-then, the bullet whis
tied by him-another, and he felt it ha
grazed his shoulder, and that the blood wa
fowin5 freely, but he halted not. In tn
prime of life, and possessed of a slight bu