Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1852-1853, 1853-03-24
MAY ANprRsoNs MARRIAeE.
90 run IrorNp or ELMroRp,


ber.chers. In those days half dozen stout
lads could maintain lordly establishment by
stealing cattle from the English farmers The
union OF the two kingdoms put sudden stop to
these robberies, and many Of the Scottish lairds
who lived by plumber were completely ruined,
and many Of them PEELED TO leave the coun---
try TO save their necks from the galows. A
mong the latter was William Musgrave, the
proprietor of Ashford Manor. Ashford had
belonged to the Musgraves for centuries. But
riot and dissipation had SO thlnned them out, that
the present laird was the only surviving male OF
the once illustrous house. To save criminal
prosecution for his cattle stealing propensites,
Musgrave fled 10 France His estates were
Instantly seized by creditors, and Ashford pass
ed into the hands of new proprietors. Years
passed away, and fourth owner OF these es-
iates Ga rich Scotch weaver named Anderson,)
had resolved TO retire from business and take
up his abode at Ashford. . f
Meantime William Musgrave had gained a
sort of footing in France, and was even reeeiv-
ed at Court He was remarkably handsome
man and now, after years Of exile, he was al
lowed to return to his native BJrder--even
loosen in moral principle, and more dangerous to
society from polished manners, and the power
of masking vicious disposition under most
prepossesslng appearance and address.
William Musgrave did obtain from The debris
Of his dismembered estate small sum OF money,
Just sufficient 10 enable him TO re-appear on the
Borders al a gentleman: and ore sweet summer
evening, while May Anderson was engaged in
her flower garden, and her father was smoking
before the hall door, 'his custom the after
noon," visitor waa announced, and Musgrave
was ushered 10 the presence OF the new possess
or Of Ashford. To both, this unexpected meet
ing was embarrassing, but both determined TO
overcome it. Anderson by kindness, Musgrave
by hauteur. ..-.......
You are welcome to this house, said the re-
tired tradesman. cour teousl y. .... ...
| There was u time should have been so,' was
the reply. ..... .....
This is my daughter, Sir ~
Musgrave, with the case lie had acquired at
st. German, and which the familiarity of the
times permitted, advanced and kissed the blush
ing girl. Poor May That ceremonious salute
proved the opening of fatal attachment. "a.
Most Hospitality, and with every Difference 20
his feelings, Anderson entertained the ruined
laird. He was man Of shrewd character and
sound understanding, and far too wise TO act the
pdrUenu proprietor al time when properly still
fingered with the arstocracy. In point OF fact,
the most of the Border families were desperate
ly embarrassed if not altogether ruined; but still
they nominally Possessed estates from which
their creditors, now that the order OF things had
changed and right no longer was synonymous
with might, were enabled 10 obtain The greater
proportion of the income. Still the broken gen.
tlemen looked down upon wealth obtained by
! honorable industry with contempt; and the least
assumption of equality, or attempt 10 place
riches against red blood a set-off, would have
ELECTED as strong outburst from Borderer,
as honest Bailie Nicol Jarvie evoked from his
kinsman, the Highland cateran, when in return
for oIIarino hands nl, tn toll bis
tice without fee, Rob Roy consigned the wor-
; thy magistrate, with his looms, tredles and all,
to warmer locality even than the West Indies.
Mr.. Anderson with great tact avoided all APP
pearance of display and pretence-kept on the
noseess tenor OF his way-oifered no offence
to his fiery neighbors and in return, escaped
those Sights and insults to which others similar
: ly circumstanced as himself, but without his
, prudence, were continually exposed. ..
: Musgraves errand, or pretended errand to
Ashford, was to make inquiries after two or
three family portraits, which he understood had
been accidentally discovered in a garnet. Mr..
: Anderson told him that his information was cor
rect and leading him to another apartment, he
: pointed to the portraits, cleaned and framed
anew, and assured young Musgrave that he had
only taken possession Of these family memo
rials, until he should have an opportunity of re-
storing them to the lneal descendant, and now
they were heartily at his disposal. ThisNdeli-
cate mark of respect to the fallen falrAlis rs
not lost upon the Borderer-and the unpretend-
ing hospitality of the host, and the gentle aten-
ton of his daughter, propitiated one who h; d
never heard the name before mentioned wilh5
out burst of anger, and, late in the evening,
he rode from the home of his fathers in DIFF
ferent mood to that which he had approached it
in the afternoon. ...
: An hours ride brought him to little inn,
where companion was waiting his return over
a stoup Of Bordeaux wine. He was a High
lander; short, stout, square built man of thr-
ty, with fery-red hair, slight obliquity Of WIS.,
ion, and face whose ensemble was decidedly re-
r pulsve. MacDougal, like his friend Musgrave,
e had followed the fortunes of the exed family
= had starved at St. Germains-obtained per-
mission to return to Scotland-and visited the
7 'land of brown health" with as little hope, and
much less good luck than his friend, the Bor-
derer. Small as the harvest reaped on the Bor-
5 der was by MuSgraye, that CLEANED in the
Highlands by MacDougal was much less. The
family property had been demolished, root aud
branch, and not wreck remained. In word,
the fortune and influence Of his name had been
z annihllated. Muttering Celtic curse, he fin
ished the stoup before him, called loudly fov
another, and then demanded what hal detained
his companion so long.
Long returned the Borderer i should
have accepted my hosts invitation, and remain
t ed there for the night, only knew that thou
wouIdst be growing like manned bear
And did the churl ask thee imp
'Ay that he did and entertained me right
hospitality. l rode 10 my fathers door with