Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1853-04-21

Though naturally anxious to be made &C
quainted with her history, neither Mactag-
CART nor his wife could venture to make a.
ny direct inquiries about il; They soon
learned, what, indeed the lady herself was
more anxious to communicate than they TO
learn, that she was a rife; but her superb
or manners and the mystery she assumed
deferred them from asking further. For
some months, though far from the despair
in which she had been found by Mactag-
CART, she appeared in very low spirits but
the cloud gradually drew of, and after
twelve months residence under the roof Of
her protector, she became as cheerful as
she had formerly been dali. Before this
time John had become exceedingly attach
ed TO his guest and also to her child, whom
he was the more inclined to cherish, in as
far as several of his own children at this
time emigra,ed to America, along with
gseat number Of his neghbors. Ills heart,
indeed, was completely devoted to his two
interesting strangers, while the lady on her
part repaid his kindness with an affection
only inferior to that of a daughter. One
day, however, after she had been fifteen
months in the house, she went out with her
child in her arms. as if TO take walk, and
TO the inexpressible grief OF Mactaggarl,
she never returned.
The story, reader, does not end here
Its conclusion was as remarkable in one
respect as its commencement and that we
shall now give. In the first place, howev-
er, it must be explained that the lady was
the daughter of Mclean of - in the is
land of Null, privately welded to young
gentleman, whose family residence was up
on the opposite coast Of Morgen. Like
Romeo and Juliet, these young persons had
formed an attachment in defiance of an in
veterate ieud between their parents. When
Stewart of - learned the state of his
sons affections, he hastily procured a com
mission for him IN the navy, aud had him
sent off to the station at Mnorica before he
could take any measures for acknowledging
his bride. On this extent, Flora Maclean
confessed TO her father that she had been
secretly married to her lover; but the old
man was so averse to an alliance with his
rival and enemy, that he commanded her
never to say word of the circumstance,
and when a rumor To that effect was clrcu-
lated, took every opportunity of contradict
ing 1t. The passions of her father were of
SO dreadful a character that though she
soon found herself in condition which
rendered the avowal of her marriage more
than ever necessary, she burst not take any
such steps For some time she hoped that
her lover might fnd some means of rescu-
ing her, but In this she was cruelty disap-
pointed By the vigilance of her father
every means which he took 10 correspond
with her was baked. Atleng,h, coniound-
ed with the unusual distress into which she
was plunged, without a friend to consult as
TO her future course, and desperate under
the extreme cruelty of her parent she left
her home, and wandered forth she knew
not whittier, aud with no object but TO per-
sh in a land where she might be unknown.
Being rescued ia the manner already re-
lated, at once from death and despair, she
contrived while living under the root of her
delverer to correspond with her husband.
The elder Stewart in the mean time died,
leaving his son to inherit. his large estates
in Morven and Breadalbane. The youth
accordingly returned home, and, as had
been concerted. his spouse at certain
time, left the house of John Mactaggart, in
OiuCi W ittOA biiils lC ctCltA VI
her departure was the result of consdera-
tons arising rather from the artificial ideas
of society than from natural feeling Tho
grateful and affectonate IN the highest de-
gree TO her kind protector, she feared to
let her extraordinary story follow her into
the sphere of life in which she was hence
forth to move. Judging, therefore, that to
inform John Mactaggart of her intentions
could not be done without the risk of d.
judgement of her secret, she resolved that
even he should never know whom he had
sayed-a resolution to be condemned az
seemingly ungrateful, OF at least parlakiDg
OF falsepride.
In thus going off in an unceremonious
manner the lady believed that her bene-
factor required no pecunlary remuneration
for his kindness. which was true. Unior-
tunately, John Mactaggart was not deslIn-
ed 10 be always prosperous. Already de-
serted by all his children, who Joined the
tide of emigration then rolling towards
North America, he endured a shock
more severe than he could well endure in
the loss of the lady and her child. His
worldly wealth had been much diminished
by the provisions he was required TO make
for his children; his own llstlessness of
mind tended further to injure hs affairs
and finally one or two bad seasons COM
pe,ely ruined him. Just at this crisis his
wife died. and poor John was. left alone IL
the world. 10 struggle in his old age with
the hardships he was i'll able to endure
He then wandered from his home, with
much the same object as what had been
once entertained by Flora Maclean-name-
/ ly, to sink into some place where his power
~ and misery would bring no dlscredlt
upon his name or kindred As he affair
wards confessed, he was not without money,
but it was only enough to furnish the means
of putting him under the earth without as
sislance from strangers-an object he cher
Ished so warmly, that no extremity OF want
could have induced him to break in upon
the little sum. His course was eastward
into Perlhshlre, aud for some days he wan
dered regardlessly on, receiving here and
there food and lodging from people nearly
as poor as himself Al length he was over
taken in Glendochart by very severe snow
storm, With which he struggled Tor some
hours ill DE was nearly exhausted. ="
once - he fthou0ht TO himself saved fell