The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1857-12-24


and known, may, be, some day before
his death yet. You must promise me
Mary, not to think o HIM
Mary, notwithstanding his yehemcnce
could not help smiling still, but she laic
her hand On his arm at the same time
and said with seriousness; Have no
gi'en my trolh. Edward, to you? Ar,
you gaun to desert me that you tell mt
what | am to do regarding other men?-
They be a. alike TO me then, said she
with simple feeling.
Burnet's reply to this was such as
might be expected from lover so to b,
addressed But what more passed at thi'
interview it does not seem to us necessa
ry to repeat; suffice it to say. that after a
short time they separated, Mary having
first assured her lover Of her confidence
that her father would not hurry her into
a match against her will.
Leaving Mary to wend her way to het
abode, nut us beg the reader to accompa-
ny us to Castlehill, the dwelling of the
husband whom the miller had chosen for
his daughter. The keep Of Castlehill was
situated on an eminence, formed by the
rounded angle of a hill, projecting into
the Vault Of Manor, and the tower thus
commanded a view both up and down the
whole stream. The interior Of the house
had exceedingly little accommodation; but
in those days the whole houshold, matter
and servants, mingled so freely together,
that less room was necessary. This ap.
peared to be particularly the case with
the household of Castlehill; for in large
room, on the evening in question, the
master, Will Elliot, not only sat at one
board, but appeared to be on terms, in
every respect, ofperfect equality with his
dependents, Half dozen men, dressed
as farm servants, occupied places at the
table and were at this time plying Justify
at some ale which stood in nagons before
them. 'Ha, my lads said Elliot, is it
not better rowing by night here when we
are never suspected, than risking our
necks every night, as we did in Teyiot
dalel'
l am no sea Sure, Will Elliot, but scme
of the neighbors will soon suspect US
The last raid we took Ger the hill to
Dawick was by guide moonlight, and am
muckled muckle'en if what Tam took for
a ghost wasna the livin' body o Ned Bur-
net, coming up frae seeing the miller's
daughter
Curse the brat' said Elliot, 1'll spoil
his wooing for him. But, lads, dye think
it was light enought for him to ken us, if.
if it was heP
Some of the men said No, others said
yes, so that their master, or rather their
leader, could not come to any decision on
the subject. Never mind, said he, at
last; 1 can tell you of something new,
something better than lifting a sheep or
two; for there's aye risk at the selling o
them when ane wants mickle hard cash
Has any O. you roticcd the gentleman
that hunts alone sometimes about the
hills"
i saw gentleman wi a green hun.
ting-dress, replied the man who spoke
before, but there was servant wi him.
He is oftener alone, though said Ell. |
lot, and that man, lads, is prize. He
must be one O. the rich young mobiles that
are staying wi the young king at Smith
field Castle, for saw him pay boy for
pointing out his road out o a large purse
filled wi the queens best coin. That
purse must be ours-ay, though we should
gle his neck a twist for ii. Drink to our
success lads
More conversation Of the same nature
passed between the outlaws-for such |
was his true character and his midnight
followers; but it is not essential to our
purpose to repeat all that took place
The result of the consultation was, that
three of the men, and the outlaw among
them, should severally post themselves,
as much disguised as possible, at those
parts of the hunting track where they
were likeliest to meet with the object of
their cupidity.
A few days after this, during which
nothing of interest occurred to Mary, her
lover, or any other of the personages of
this true tale, gentleman, answering the
description given by the outlaws follow
er, in so far as regarded the dress, which
was a green hunting-coat, was passing
slowly among the heights which ovrlook
ed the Vale of Manor. The stranger was
tall and finely formed. and every point of
his attire was in rich and expensive
,tvle. He was armed with couteau de
;isse, or short hunting-sword, and ap
ocared from his slow, lingering pace, to
be awaiting the upcoming of compan-
on, or attendant. He had just reached
he side of copse of underwood, when a
nan sprang from its cover, and placing
IN the strangers arm powerful and mus
,ular grasp demanded roughly the SUI
'ender Of his purse. But the hunter was !
n the prime of his youth, and exerling !
lis strength, he shook off at once the hold !
If our friend Will Elliott, aud drawing
lis sword, stood in his defence. This
'equred moments time, during which
he outlaw, before proceeding furtheer, g
rave a shrill call on whistle suspended
rom his neck. He then turned with his :
lrawn sword upon the hunter, for, to do !
elliott justice, lie was afraid of no single
nan. The sword of the hunter was :