The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1848-07-01


storm, which now ragged in its widest fury
The rain fell In torrents, and the wind howl
ed as legion of furnished wolves, hurllng it's
doeful and angry echoes over the health
Still the stranger pushed onward, until he
procee ded two or three miles from Berwick,
when, as ifunable longer 10 brave the storm,
he sought shelter amidst the crab and brnm-
BILE bushes by the wayside, Nearly an hour
had passed since he sought his imperfect
shelter. and the storm had increased together,
when horses feet were heard splnslIng AZ
long the road. The rider bent his head 10
the blast. Suddenly his horse was grasped
Ivy the bridle-ihe rider raised his head, and
the traveller stood before him, holding piss
to at his breast.
"Dismountl" cried the stranger sternly.
The horseuan, benumbed, and stricken
with fear, made an effort to reach his armsi
but in moment the hand Of the robber quit
ted the bride, grasPed the breast Of the rider
and dragged him to the ground. He fell
heavily on his face, and for several minutes
remained senseless. The stranger seized
the leathern bag which contained the null
from the north, and finging it on his should=
err, rushed across the heath.
Early on the following morning the inhabz
iiants of Berwick were seen hurrying in
groups TO the spot where the robbery had been
committed, but no trace Of the robber could
be obtained.
Three days had passed, and Sir John Coch=
rane yet lived Tho bag which contained
his death warrant had heen robbed and be-
fore another order for his execution could be
given, the intercession ofhis father, the Earl
of Dundonald, with the hing's confessor
might he successful. Grizel now became
almost his constant companion in prison, and
spoke to him words Of comfort. Nearly four
teen days had passed since The protractod
hope in the bosom of the prisoner became
more bitter than his first despair. But even
that hope, bitter as it was, persisted. The in=
terccssion had been unsuccessful-aud Il Sec
oud time the bigoted md would be despp;iG
monarch, signed the warrant for his death,
and in IL lille more than another day that
warrant would reach the prison.
"The will Of heaven he done" grouned tho
captive.
"Amcn !" returned Grizel, with wild vehe.
mence "hut my father shall not die !"
Again the rider with the mail reached
TweedmouIh, and n second Time he bore
with him The doom of Cochrane. He spur
red his horse to his utmost speed he looked
cautiously before, hchind and around iimi
aud in his right hand he carried pistol ready
TO defend himself The moon shed gllasr-
ly light across The heath rendering desola-
ton visible, and giving spiritual embadi4
ment to every Shrub. lie was turning ihe,
angle ola struggling copse, when his horse
reared at the report ora pistol, the fire of
which seemed 10 dash in his very eyes. At The
same moment his own pistol flashed, and
his horse reared more violently, and he was
driven from the saddle. Ia moment tho
foot ofthe rebber was upon his breast, vino
bending over him, and brandiShing shorl
dagger in his hand, said
"Give me thine arms, or die ~
IL, l., c,,I
in him, aud without venturing reply, he did
us he was commanded.
"Now go thy way" cried the robber, Stern.
ly; "bu, leave with me thy horse, and leave
with ne the mail--lrst worse thing coma
upon thee,
The man therefore arose, and proceeded
towards Berwick trembling and lie rohber
mounted the horse which he had left, rode
rapidly across the heaths
Preparations were making for The eXecu4
ton of Sir John Conference.-The officers of the
law waited only the arrival of the mail with
his second death warrent, to the scuffnld, aud
the tidings arrived that the mail had ngain
been robbed. For yet fourteen days and the
life of the prisoner would he prolonged. He
again fell on the neck of his daughter, and
wept, and said
sit is good the hahd Of heaven is IN tiiis.S
"Said not" replied the maid, aud for tho
first time she wept aloud, "that my father
should not die?
The fourteen days were not yet passed
when the prison door flew open, and the old
Earl of Dundonald rushed to the arms OF his
son. His inlerccssion with the confcssor had
at length proved successful and after twice
signing the warrant for the execution of SIP
John, which had as often failed in reaching its
destination, the king had sealed his pardon,
He hurried with his father from the prisot
TO his own home his family were clnginS
around him, shedding tears of ioy--and they
were marveing with gratitude at the mystic.
rious providence which had twice intercepted
the mail, when u stranger craved an AUDIENCE,
Sir John desired him to be admitted-and
the robber entered. He was hahited az we
have before described, with coarse jerkin,
hut his bearing was above his condition. On
entering he slightly touched his beaver, but
remained uncovered.
"When you have perused these" said he
taking two papers from his bosom, ''cast Them
into the fire." ... ..Ht ....r.
Sir John glanced on them, started and he.
came pale they were his death warrant,
"My deliverer |" exclaimed he, show sllaij
thank thee-how repay the preserver of
my life? My father, my children, thank him
for me?" -. ...
The old Earl grasped the hands of tho
stranger, the children embraced his knees
and he hurst into tears
"By what name," eagerly enquired Sir John
"shall call my deliverer?'
The stranger wept aloud, and raising his
beaver, the raven tresses of Grizel Cochrana
fell upon the cloak.
"Gracious Heavenp' exclaimed The asson-
ished and enraptured father "My own chilly
my own Grizcl"
The PARKER MURDER. Some three months