Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-08-29
q WICKED WIFE.

a WICKED WIFE.
Here is terrible story from Burke's
Family Romance, showing "noW the
Scots of Thirlestane came to beggary"
1t is in Ainsworth's novel, in half col
umn:
Sir Roberts second wife was an un-
princlpalled woman, of vindictive temper,
and fierce passions; and by her he had
several children. This woman had all
the qualities calculated to make an op-
pressivc and cruel step-dame; and ac-
cordingly her jealousy was excited by the
fond affection which Sir Robert displayed
towards his eldest son. She knew that
his rich Inheritance would descend to
him, while her own sons would receive
very slender provision: besides her hus-
bands excessive attachment to his eldest
son gave her no hope of his being per
suaded to ALLEVIATE from him any portion
OF tie family property. Her jealousy ac-
cordlngly grew into a disease, and her
mind was sore distracted with rage and
modification. These feelings were still
further aggravated when Sir Robert built
the Tower of Gamescleugh, and adorned
that property with all manner of embel-
lishments, as the future residence of his
eldest son, who was now about to come
of age. and for whom he had arranged a
suitable and advantageous matrimonial
alliance with beautiful young lady of
high birth. Tho step-mother now lost
all patience, and was firmly resolved to
compass the destruction of her hated step
son. The mason-work of the new castle
Of Gamescleugh was completed on the
young Laird's twentieth birthday. which
was held as high festival at Thirlestane.
The lady resolved that his hours should
now be numbered and she accordingly
prepared, on the intended festival, to exc
cute her horrid purpose. She had already
secured in her interest the family piper,
whose name was John Lally. This man
procured three adders, from which he
selected the parts replete with the most
deadly poison, and having ground them
10 fine powder, Lady Thirlestane mixed
them in bottle of wine. Previous to
the commencement Of the feast at Thir-
lestane, the young Laird went over the
Etterick river to Gamesclough, to inspect
the finished work, and to resale the ma
sons and other work people, VINO had
exerted themselves to have the castle
walls completed by his birthday. He
was attended by John Lally. In the
midst Of the entertainment of the work
men, the young Laird called for wine to
drink their healths: and John filled his
silver cup from the poison bottle, which
the ill-fated youth hastily drank off The
piper Immediately left the castle, as if to
return home. But he was never more
seen. The most diligent search failed in
discovering him: and it is supposed that
he escaped across the English border
Young Thirlestane was instantaneously
taken violently i'll, and such was the force
of the poison that he swelled and burst
within an hour. The news was imme-
diately carried to Thirlestane, where a
large party Of kith and kin of Scots had
assembled to do honor to the festival
But it may easily be conceived what
woeful gathering it turned out to be-
With one accord the guests felt and said
that the young Laird was poisoned, but
were unable to conceive who could have
uouS CN iOoi u uSSu w OilC 81 sally
beloved. The old baron Immediately
caused bugle to be blown, as signal
to all the family to assemble in the castle
court. He then inquired, care We all
here!" A voice from the crowd an
swered, "All but the piper, John Lally"
This sounded like a knell in the ears of
Sir Robert. He knew the confidence
which his lady placed in the servant
His eyes were at once open to the foul
deed, and the conviction that his most
dear and beloved son had been slain by
the Vaccinations of his wife shocked his
feeling so terribly that he was almost de-
prived of reason.
He stood very long in a state of utter
stupefaction, and then began to repeat the
answer which he had received. And this
he continued to do for several days. "We
are all here but John Lally, the piper ?'
Sir Robert lived in a lawless time, justice
was not rightly administered, and it was