Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1852-1852, 1852-02-06
The Highland Lassie and her Lover.

The Highland Lassie and her Lover.
As there are warm pasture valleys and plea
SAINT homes, sunny and sheltered, bosomed deep
among the loftiest ranges of the snowy Alps, so
gloomy though the cleaning peaks look in the
there are in the Highlands of Scotland, bleak and
distance.
My father fed focks and herds upon as lovely
slope of the Grampans as ever surprised
traveller with its beauty, when, from the grim
passes and over the mighty ridges, he suddenly
came across our VALE
Being a man of substance, my father had de-
termined that should have a good education at
Edinburgh. was, therefore, taken from under
the earnest care of our PASTOR and sent to col
lege for the next five years.
| remember we'll the sadness that came over
me when this was first decided upon, for in quit
ting that spot, which was to me all the world,
and entering upon an unknown region, attrac-
tive as was the picture that had been drawn to
me of it, could not divest myself of vague
fear, such as his who, traversing dangerous
road on dark night, knows not what pit Or
chasm may be in his path, open to receive his
unwary and ncautous foot. But | had 4 source
of deeper regret.
Jeanic Cameron had the bucst eyes--the
fairest hair, and the sweetest face that had ev-
cr seen among the daughters Of women Her
voice was rs pleasant to my ears when she car
rolled some of our mountain songs, as the whist
ling of the mavis in the summer morning. She
was neighbours daughtcr-of far humber
means than mine-and she had been my COM
panion from infancy.
know not what spell it was that this sweet
child, but two yoars my junior-shc was so fairy
like and littie-had upon me. If ever beanty,
youth, and innocence combined had willing
slave, one that would obey any wish, nuch less
a command-shc had one in me. In my dreams
| always bcheld hcr-in my waking moments
did the same, for was rarely from her side
Whether my father who w;ls somewhat OF Il
stern man, and seemingly little acquainted with
what is meant bv the tendcr-heartcdness Of young
lovers Qovers! have then confessed it be it
so,) say, whether he disliked my teing myself,
as it were, to the apron-strngs of glrl-a mere
child; whether he saw that feelings deeper, strong
er, less liable to be broken, would spring up be-
tween lis as we grew older; and whether ne had
in secret an objection to a future union between
Jeanie and myself, owing to the difference of our
possessions, and that he wished to have an
hcrcss at the grange as its future mistress, | do
not know; certain it is that lie did not openly
say so but could not help looking suspicious
ly on the matter, and believed in my secret heart
that the whole was plot entered into for the
purpose of severing us.
well remember the afternoon on WHICH this
point was settled between my tather-mv meek
mother was dead-and the minister, when the
design was first told me, and that i'll two days
should be off on my sturdic shcltie, with body
of drovers that were going from the Gramplalis
southward in day or two that stunned and dis
mayed | spoke not word; but when opportu-
nitv was afforded me, and | had recovered my
self, | stole quietly forth and wandered i'll my
old direction.
From where I stood down the sloping side |
saw the comfortable shicling of John Cameron,
and my heart beat as bchcld Jeanie in her neat
kirtlc knccling to milk the goats that Geordlc,
her elder brother had just driven to their rude,
but comfortable sleeping place. | had eyes,
however, for nothing but Jcanie, and there
waited until she finished, and Gcordie was in
with the animals, preparing their beds of fern for
the night
descended and was soon BY her side; she
started when she saw me; her small face lighted
up with pleasure, and the ncAt moment it was
dark again.
''What makes YOU look SO pale, Allan 2" she
said.
Il am going to be sent away, Jeanic," re-
piled.
Her lips quivercd, her face grew white, and
her soft cyclids fell.
'Gong away, Allan.' she said, wonderingly.
"lcs; my father is going to send ne to Edin-
burgh to college"
''And-and-when do you go 2" asked Jeanie,
softly, but without now looking up into my
face.
"In day or two; and oh, Jeanie" | said as
took her hand which was quite cold, "my heart
is heavy and sad at the thought Of leaving you.