Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1848-08-03
miscellaneous.
TEE CAPTTVE'S DAUGHTER.
A SCOTTISH TALE


When the tyranny and bigotry of the last
James drove his subjects to take up arms
against him, one of the most formidable en-.
emies to his dangerous usurpations, was Sir
John Cochrane, ancestor of the present
Earl of Dundonald. lie was one of the
most prominent actors in Argyles rebellion,
and for ages destructive gloom seemed to
have chung over the house of Campbell, en-
veloping in u common ruin all who united
their fortunes to the cause of its chieitans.
The same doom encompassed Sir John
Cochrane. He was surrounded by the
Kings troops-long, deadly, and desperate
was his resistance; but at length, overpow-
cred by numbers, he was taken prisoner.
tried and condemned to die upon the scat
fold. He had but few days to live, and
the TAILOR waited but the arrival of his
death-warrant to lead him forth to execu-
ton. His family and friends had visited
him in prison, and exchanged with him the
last, the long, the heart-yearning farewell
But there was one who came not with the
rest to receive his blessing, one who was the
pride of his eyes, and of his house, even
Grizel, the daughter of his love. Twilight
was casting deeper gloom over the gratings
of his prison-house-he was mourning for
last look Of his favorte child, and his
head was pressed against the cold, damp
walls Of his cell, to cool the feverish pulsa-
tons that shot through it like stiurs of fire
i sheattr the door Of his APARTMENT tarred
slowly on its unwilling hinges, and his keen
er entered, followed by young and beau
tiful lady. Her person was tall and COM
handing, her eyes dark, bright, and fearless
but their very brightness spoke of sorrow
OF sorrow too deep to be wept away; and
her raven tresses were parted over an open
brow, clear and pure as the polished marble.
The unhappy captive raised his head as they
entered
"My child my own Grizelp' he ex.
claimed, and she fell upon his bosom.
My father my dear father p sobbed the
miserable maiden, and she dashed away the
tear that accompanied the words.
Z" Your interview must be short--very
short" said the jalor as he turned and left
them for few minutes together.
"God help and comfort thee, my daugh-
tel! p added the unhappy father, as he held
her to his breast, and printed kiss upon
her brow. 81 had feared that | should die
without bestowIng my blessing on the head
of my own child, and that stung me more
than death; but thou art come, my love-
thou art come and tile last blessing of thy
wretched father"
Nay, forbear forbearp she exclaimed;
"not thy last blessing not the last My fa-
ther shall not dep
'Be calm be calm, my child" returned
he; "would to Heaven that could comfort
thee my own! my own But there is no
hope-within three days, and thou and all
my little ones will be"
Fatherless, he would have said but the
words died on his tongue.
Three days" repeated she, raising her
head from his breast, but eagerly pressing
his hand; three days! then there is hope
my father shall live! Is not my grand
father the. friend of Father Petre, the con.
fessor and the master of the king! From
him he shall beg the life of his son, and nv
father shall not die
NAY, nay, my Grizelp p returned he "be
not deceived-there is no hope-a!reudv nv
doom is sealed-aready the king has sign
ed the order for my execution, and the mes
senger of death is now Oh the way"
" Yet my father SHALL not-snALL not
die y she repeated emphaticaly, and clasp
ing her hands together" Heaven speed n
daughters purpose" she exclaimed; and
turning to her father, said calmly" We
part now, but we shall meet again"
What would my child" inquired he,
eagerly, gazing anxiousy on her face.
Ask not now" she replied; "my faith
er ask not now, but pray for me, and bless
me-but not with thy last blessing"
He again pressed her to his heart and
wept upon her neck. In few moments the
Jailer entered, and they were torn from the
arms of each other.
On the evening of the second day aSe,
the interview we have mentioned a wayfar
ing man crossed the drawbridge at Berwick
from the north, and proceeding down Mary
gate, sat down to rest upon bench by the
door of an hostery, on the south side of the
street nearly fronting where what was called
the Main-guard then stood. He did moi
enter the inn, for it was above his apparent
condition, being that which Oliver Crom
well had made his headquarters a few years
before, and where, at a somewhat earle,
period, James the Sixth had taken up hi.
residence when on his way to enter on the
sovereignty of England The traveller wore
coarse jerkin, fastened around his bod,
by leathern girdle, and over it shor
cloak, composed of equally plain materials
lie was evidently young man; but hi,
beaver was drawn down, so as almost te
conceal his features. In the one hand h,