The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1848-01-14
The Mail RObber.
FRAGMENT OF ENGLISH HISTORY.

- VI HISTORY.
When the tyranny and bigotry of tho last
James, drove his subjects to take up arms
against him, one Of the most formidable en-
einies to his usurpation was Sir George
Cochrane, Il prominent actor in Argyle's re-
bellion.
For ages destructive gloom seemed TO
hang over the house of Campbell, envelop-
ing IN a common ruin all that united their
fortunes to the cause Of the chiefain. The
same doom encompassed Sir John Cochrane.
He was surrounded by the Kings troops
long, bold and desperate was his resistance
but at length, overpowered by numbers, he
was taken prisoner, tried, and condemned to
die upon the scaiiold. He had but few
days to live, and the jailor only awaited the
arrival OF his death warrant to lead him forth
to execution. His family and relatives had
visited him IN prison, and exchanged with
INN tho last, the long, the heart yearning
farewell. But there was one who came not
with the rest TO receive his blessing-onc
who was the pride Of his eyes aud of his
house, even Grizelle, the daughter of his
love.
twilight was casting deep gloom over
the grating of his prison house, and he was
mourning for last look of his favoritc child,
and his head was pressed against the cold
black cell, to cool the feverish pulsations that
shot through it like streams of fire, when the
door of his apartment turned slowly on its
unwilling hinges, and his keeper entered
followed by a young and beautiful lady.
Her person was tall and commanding, her
eyes bright and fearless, but their brightness
told OF sorrow-s oTrow-sorrow too deep to
be wiped away, and her raven tresses part
ed over an open brow, clear and pure as the
poiished marble. The unhappy captive rails
ed his head as the two entered.
"My child, my own Grizellew he ex-
claimed, and she fell upon his bosom.
"My father, my dear father" sobbed the
miserable maiden, and dashed away the
tears that accompanied the words.
"lour interview must be short, very
Short" said the jailor, as he turned away
aud left them for few minutes together.
"lleaven help and comfort thee, my
daughter" added Sir John, while he held
her TO his breast and imprinted kiss upon
her brow; 81 feared that | should die with
ont bestowing my blessing on the head Of
my child, and that stung me more than death
itself; but thou art come, and the last bless
ings of the wretched fa,her"-
"Nay, father, fo-bearn she exclaimed,
"not thy last blessing! not thy las,-my
father shall not die -
'Be calm, be calm, my child" he return.
ed. "Would TO Heaven | could comfort
thee, my own! But there is 10 hope; with
in three days and thou and allmy little ones
will be-
Fatherless, he would have said, but the
word died on his lips.
"rhrse days" repeated she, raising her
head from his breast, but pressing his hand,
'three days; then there's hope my father
shall live! Is not my grandfather with the
confeSsor and the master Of the king? From
him he shall beg the life of his son, and my
father shall not dies
"Nay, nay, my Grizelle,' returned he.
"bs not deceived; there is no hope alrea-
dy the king has sealed the order Of my exc
cu'ion, and the messenger OF death is on his
way"
"Yet my father shall not-shall not die !"
she repeated emphatically, clasping her
hands together. "lleaven speed daugh-
ters purpose" she exclaimed, and turning
to him, said, calmly, "wo part now, but we
shall meet again"
"What would my child?" inquired he
eagerly, and gazed anAiously upon her
face.
"Asll not now" she replied, "my father,
not now; but pray .or me and bless me-but
not with thy last blessing"
He again pressed her TO his heart, and
wept upon her neck. In few minutes the
jailor entered, and they were torn from the
arms of each other.
On the evening Of re second day after
the Interview we have mentioned, a way
faring man crossed the bridge OF Berwick,
from the north, and proceeding along Mary
gate, sat down to rest upon bench by the
door of Chostclrie; on the south side Of the
street nearly fronting where what was call
ed the 'main guard then stood. He did not
enter the i'm for it was above his apparent
condition, being that which Oliver Cromwell
had made his headquarters few years be-
fore, and where, at a somewhat earlier pc
Rod, Jane, the 9th, of Scotland, had taken
up his residence when on his way to enter
upon the sovereignty of England.
The traveller wore close jerkin, fastened
around his body by lea,hern grdle, and
over it o short cloak Of equally plain mate
rails. He was evidently a young man, but
his beaver was drawn down so as almost TO
conceal his features. In one hand he carried
pilgrims staff, and in the other small
bundle. Having called for glass of wine.
he took crust Of bread from his bundle,
and after resting for few minutes rose TO
depart. The shades Of night were setting
IN, and it threatened TO be night Of storms.
The heavens were gathering black, the
clouds rushing from the sea, aud sudden
gusts ofwind were moaning along the streets,
accompanied by heavy drops of rain, and the |.
ACE OF the Tweed was troubled.
"lleaven help thee, if thou in,endest TO
ravel far such night as this" said the SEN
incl at the English gate, as the traveller
passed him aud proceeded 10 cross over the
bridge.
In few minutes he was over upon the .
vide. deSolatc and dreary moor of Tweed +
mouth, which for miles presented > desert
# lnrze, fern, and s,untod heath, with here /
md there adinslc covered with th.tl, bruSh-
wood. Slowly he ,oiled over the steep hill. /
,raving the storm which now raved with the [
widest fury. The rain fell in torrents, and .
he wind howled as legion of fomished .