The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1850-11-12

lance, and of tightening the bonds OF
good fellowship. Rural weddings and
roaring wakes" were then occasions
for social rendezvous, which were not 10
be overlooked. Both these ceremonies
we're accompanied by feasiing. music,
dancing, and the liberal enjoyment o
the native browst, whi ch was too often
carried to excess. was in general
willing and welcome guest at these
doings; for, smitten as | often was with
melancholy in this dreary solitude, | was
glad to avail myself Of any occasion, that
promised even temporary exhllaratlon.
Well, the first Of these meetings at which
| was present one evening, happened to
be a d,.edgec, a term which need only
explain, by saying that it wns got up for
the sake of young widow, who had Just
put on her weeds, and stood much in
need Of friendly sympathy, and consoIa-
tion. At first it was rather dull affair,
for the widow looked very dlscnnsolate
and every look of her fair face was con-
tagious. But as the quaigh was active,
and the whskey went lis frequent round,
the circle became more lively; until al
last, to my utter astonishment, the bag
gipes were introduced and after CO.
ronach or so-just to quiet the spirit of
their departed host--up started couple
of dancers, and began jigging it over the
floor with all the grace aud agility pecu-
liar TO my lIebridean friends. This
movement was infectious another and
another couple started up-reel follow
ed upon reel. until the only parties who
had resisted the Infection, continued
the poet, "were the widow and myself,
she, oppressed with her own private sor
row, and |, restrained by feelings of
courtesy from quitting her side. ] OBJ
served, however, that she kept time
with her hand-all unconscously, no
doubt-against the bench where we sat,
while her thong hts were wandering a
bout the moorland Cairn, which had that
very morning received her husbands re-
mains piied her from my very heart.
But, behold, Just as I was addressing to
her one Of my most sympathlzing looks,
up came brisk Highlander, whose step
and figure in the dance had excited both
admiration and envy; aud, making a low
how TO the widow, followed by few
" words Of coincidence, he craved the hon.
or of her hand for the next reel. The
widow, as you may well suppose, was
shocked beyond measure while start
ing to my feet, made a show, as if |
meant to resent the insult. But she,
pulling me gently back. rebuked the kill
ted stranger with look, at which he in
stantly withdrew. In few minutes,
however, the young chieltain returned to
the charge. The widow frowned, and
wept, and declared that nothing on earth
should ever tempt her TO such breach
of decorum. But the more she frown>
ed, the more he smiled, and pressed his
suit Jus. one reel he repeated. only
onel Allan of Null, the best piper in
the I,les, was only waiting her bidding
to strike up The plea was irresistible
'Weel, weeI,' sighed the widow, rising,
and giving him her hand, what maun
be, mann be But hech, sits, let it be
lightsome spring. for hae a heavy,
heavy heart = The next minute the
widow was capering away to most
'liehtsome air-hands across-cast off
down the middle, and up again. And
merrier dredgee," concluded the poet,
" was never seen in Null"
On another occasion, when he pre>
senied copy of some verses. which he
had Just finished, to lady of our taln-
iy, he described their origin as follows
Many long years ago, while was seal
ed up in the llebrides, ! became int-
mate with a family who had beautiful
parrot. which Young mariner had
brought from South America, as pres.
ent to his sweetheart. This happened
long before my arrival in Null; and Pol
for many years had been much priced
and petted iavorite in the household. lie
as a captive, to be sure, but allowed al
times to be outside his cage on pdrOh
aud, always observing good faith anc
gratitude for such Indulgences, they were
repeated as often as appeared conslsien
with safe custody. The few words o
Gaelic, which he had picked up in hi'
voyage to the north. were just sufficient
ON his arrival, 10 hespeah the goodwill
of the family, and recommend himself i'
their hospitality but his vocabulary wa
soon increased became great MIN
ic-he could initiate The cries of ever
domestic animal-lhe voices of the ser
wants: he could laugh, whistle, an'
scold, like any other biped around him
lie was, in short, match even for Kel
ly's renowned parrot for although h