The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1852-01-22
EBENSBIRG, THURSDAY, UNUiRY %. 1852.
From Wilson'S Tales Of the Borders
7 IL Il EDEEEe,S ETUEsN.


at the Growing of the cock, had left Melrose
before four in the afternoon. On arriving at
Abbotsford, perceived Highland soldier, APP
parenty fatigued as myself, leaning upon a
walking stick, and gazing intently on the fairy
palace of the magician, whose wand is since
broken, but Whose magic still remains. am
no particular disciple of Lavater'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 gray coat, but
toned to the throat. His dress bespoke him to
belong only to the ranks, but there was n digni-
ty IN has manner, and fire, glowing languag re
in his eyes, worthy of a chieftian. His height
might exceed FIVE feet nine, and his age about
thirty. The traces of manly beauty we're still
upon his cheeks, but the sun of western hemis-
phere had tinged them with a sallow hue and
imprinted untimely burrows.
Our conversation related chiefly to the scenery
around US, and we had pleasantly journeyed to-
gether two three miles, when we arrived at a
little sequestered burial ground by the way side.
near which there was neither church nor dwell
ling. Its low wall was thinIy covered with turf
and We sat down to rest. Ny companion became
silent and melancholy, and his eyes wandered
an1iousiy among the graves.
. Here, said he, ''seep some of my fathers
children, who died in infancy
lie picked up small stone from the ground,
and throwing it gently about ten yards, " that, -
added he, ''is the very spot. But, thank God
no grave-stone has been raised during my. alb
sence- 1t IS token l SHAH find nay parents
living-and," continued he, with . sigh, ..rnay
| also find their love. Il is hard, sir, when the
heart of parent IS turned against his own
child .--.... ....s .-
lie dropped his head upon his breast for few
moments, and Was silent, and hastily raising his
fore finger TO his eyes, seemed TO dash away q
solitary tear. Tlien turning to me, he con-
tinued- - a-
. g You may think sir, this is weakness, in a
soldier; but human hearts beat beneath red
coat My father, whose name is Campbell and
who was brought from Argyleshire, is wealthy
farmer in this neighborlrood. Twelve years ago,
| loveda being gentle as summer moon We
were children together, and she grew in beauty
on my sight as the star of evening steals into
glory through the twilight But she was poor
and attachment offended my father He
commanded me to leave her forever. l could
not, and he commanded me to leave his house.
] wandered l knew not, and cared not whittier.
But will not detain you with my history In
my utmost need, 1 met sergeant of the forty
second, who was then upon the recruiting SER
vice, and in a few weeks l joined the regiment
of proud hearts. l was at Brussels when the
wolf and the raven sang at midnight through the
streets. 1t was herald of glory and death.
There were three Highland regiments of us
three Joined in one-joined in rivalry in love.
and in purpose; and, thank Fate was present
when the Scots Grays, flying to our aid, raised
the electric shout, Scotland forever,,'l Scot
land forevern returned our tartaned clansmen /:
Scotland forever" reverbated as from the hearts
we had left behind us and Scotland forever =
re-echoed Victory! Heavens" added he, start
ing to his feet, and grasping his staff, as the
enthusiasm Of the past came gushing back upon
his soul, "to have joined in that shout was to
have lived an eternity in the vibration of pen
dulum.''
In a few moments, the animated soul that gave
eloquence to his tongue, drew itself back into
the chambers of humanity, and resuming his
seat upon the low wall, he continned-s.I left
my own regiment with the prospect of promotion,
and have since served in the West Indies. but
have heard nothing of my father-nothing of my
mother-nothing of her l love 20
While he was speaking, the grave digger. with
pickaxe and spade over his shoulder, entered
the ground. lie approached within a few wards
of where we sat He measured off n narrow
piece Of earth-it encircled the little stone that
the soldier had thrown to mark out the burial
place of his family. Commissions rushed over
the features of my companion. He shiyered /;
he grasped my arm his lips quiyered; his
breathing became short and loud the cold sweat
stood trickiing from his temples; he sprang over
the wall he rushed toward the spot,
:. Mani" he cried in agony, whose grave is
that?''
. Hoot. ava wi ye," said the grave digger,
starting back at his manner, ..what ma away
is that to Cliff a body? Are we daft?'
Answer mel" cried the soldier, seizing his
hand. whose grave-whose grave is that?"
Mercy me !" replied the man of death, "ye
are surely out of your head; it's an auld body
they cad Adam Campbell's grave; now are We
anything the wiser for speerin %
"My father" cried my comrade, as | ap-