Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1850-09-26
THE SOLDIERS RETURN
A Tale Worth Reading.

THE SOLDIERS RETURN.
A Tale Worth Reading.
Seven or eight years ago, | was
travelling between Berwick and Sci.
kirk, and having started at the growing
of the cock, l had lef. Melrose before
four in the afternoon. On arriving al
Abbotsford, l perceived Highland
Soldier, apparently fatigued as myself,
leaning upon walking stick, and gaz.
ing intensely on the fairy palace of
the magician, whose wand is since
broken but whose magic still remains.
| am no particular disciple of Lava
ter's, yet the man carried his soul upon
his face, and we were friends at the
first glance. He wore plain Highland
bonnet, and coarse grey coat, but
toned TO the throat. His dress bespoke
him to belong only to the ranks; but
there was dignity in his manner, and
fire, glowing language, in his eyes
worthy ofa chieflain. His height might
exceed five feet nine inches, and his
age he about thirty. The traces of
manly beauty were still upon his cheeks;
bu, the sun of a western hemisphere
had ,inged them with a sallow hue, and
imprinted untimely burrows.
Our conversation related chiefly TO
the classic scenery around US; and we
had pleasantly journeyed together for
two or three miles, when we arrived
a, little scqucs;ered burial ground by
the wayside, near which there was
neither church nor dwelling. Its low
wall was thinly covered with turf, and
we sat down upon it to rest.
My companion became silent and
melancholy, and his eyes wandered
anxously among the graves.
"Here," said he, "sleep some Of my
fathers children who died in infancy"
He picked up small stone from the
ground, and throwing it gently about
ten yards, that" added he, is "lhe very
spot. But, thank God, no grave-stone
has been raised during my absence! ii
is token shall find my parents living,
and," continued he, with sigh, "may
also find their love. 1t is hard, sir,
when the heart of parent is turned
agains, his own child"
lie dropped his head upon his breast
for few moments, and was silent, and
hastily raising his forehnge- to his eyes
seemed to dash away solitary tear
Then turning TO me, he continued
you may think, sir, this is weakness ir
a soldier: but human hearts beat be
meath a red coat. My father, whose
name is Campbell, and who wa!
brought from Argyleshire while young
is wealthy farmer in this neighbor
hood. Twelve years ago, | loved {
being gentle as the light of a summer
noon. We were children together
and she grew beauty on my sight
as the star of evening steals into glory
through the twilight. But she wa
poor and portionless, the daughter o
a mean shepherd. Our attachment of
-. Tended my father. He commanded m
10 leave her forever. | could not, anC
he turned me from his house. l wan
dered | knew not, and | cared no
. whittier. But | will not detain yo
with my history. In my utmost need
| met sergeant of the forty.second
who was then upon the recruiting ser
vice, and, in a few weeks ] joined tha
! regiment of proud hearts. l was a
Brussels when the invitations to tht
wolf and the raven rang at midnigh
: through the streets. 1t was the heral
: of the day OF glory and of DEATH
0 There were three Highland regiment
e of us-three joined in one--joined i
rivalry, in love, and in purpose; ant
= thank Fate! was present when III
Scots Greys, flying TO our aid, raise
the electric shout, Scotland forever
!, Scotland forever" returned our tai