The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1857-12-24
Mi6cellnueolts.
From Chambers Pocket Miscellany !
THE VALE OF MANOR.

| LA& AoA VA AA4ALs
In consequence of some of those civ
and domestic brois which disturbed tn
reign of the beauteous Mary of Scotlanc
her ill.fated husband found it convenier
to retire, for time, 10 the castle Of Smith
field, in Tweeddale, where with sma
retinue, he occupied himself in the pleas
ures of the chase, and other sports of til
country. His residence here was render
ed very uncomfortable by the predator
spirit which infested the Borders, an
which, according to a historian of the pc
riod, was partaken of in no small degre
by the inhabitants Of Tweeddale them
selves. The castle which served as a hab
itation 10 Darnley stood on the side of
hill Immediately adjoining the ancien
burg of PEBBLES, and was then a place o
considerable strength, though not a ston
now remains to tell its site. Here, then
dwelt the young king when the circum
stances occurred which we are about t
relate, as the voice of tradition brough
| tHeul W our hllOWlGuSe'
The vale of Manor, situated few mile
to the west of the town Of PEBBLES, is ont
of the most pleasant of the many glen'
which send in their tributary waters t(
the Tweed. For those who love the rich
| ly cultivated field, and the smooth shaver
lawn, the Vale of Manor has few charms
but to those who are admirers of nature
in her wilder aspects, who delight in thC
bold and heath-cad hill, and in the clear
rock-bom streamlet, ii is a scene full o
beauty and interest. Though, at tht
present day, only solitary tree raise!
its lonely head here and there on the steer
deClivities, the value at one time unques
tiouably formed part of the track .calleC
the Forest, in the matted woods of whicl
the Scottish monarchs hunted the wilC
boar and the wolf, as well as a game o
less terrible character. But, like Var
row, Manor now presents only the grace
of forest charms decayed, and pastora
melancholy
Whatever other changes the vale may
have undergone, its little mill remains,
in nearly the same situation which it oc.
cupied three hundred years ago. We
do not mean to aver that the same tene.
ment in which Andrew Tod drew from
his neighbors the dew of muture is still
existent; the hand of Time has long since
crumbled the old walls into dust, but
nearly in the same spot does the stream
of the Manor still whirl round a noisy
clapper, as it did in the days of Queen
Mary. Many an occupant, too, has been
resolved into dust, undistinguishable
from that of the stone walls which he in
habited, since the time of the parsonage
we have named. Andrew Tod, the mil
Ter Of Kirkton, as the place was denomi-
mated, was, at the time of this eventful
story, , man considerable above sixty
years Of age, but still rosy in complexion,
and unbroken in bodily health Time
had slightly thinned and whitened his
but he merited still the epithet
ged on those of his trade, as
miller Andrew bore high
Yer for honesty - character which.
ut antithesis, was not, in his times,
often bestowed on those of his trade; and
the Kirkton miller had obtained, through
his honesty and industry, sufficient of the
goods ofthis world to make him comfort
able in it. His family.for three genera
tons had been occupants of the mill of
Kirkton, and Andrews greatest ambition
was to be succeeded in it by his posterty.
He had married early in life, but for ma
ny years had been unblessed with fam.
lily, until bis wife brought him daughter,
and died giving birth to her. The mil.
ler's whole affections were thus thrown
upon one object, and the little Mary Tod
was in fair way, it might seem, of being
from infancy spoiled child; for her
fathers love was more like doting than
ordinary parental affection. But circum,
stances fortunately intervened, which
rendered Mary Tod, at the age of eigh-
teen, not only far from being a spoiled
child, but girl of manners and intclli-
gence far above the ordinary maidens of
her rank, What these circumstances
were, is necessary that we should ex-
plain.
In the preceding reign : namely, that of
James V.-'the ancient church first be-
gan to loose its hold on the respect of the
Scottish people. :, In this reign, at least,
the first open defeclions were made to the
reformed doctrines The Catholics, how.
ever, were suliia possession of power,
and the king himself could not stand out
against them, or defend the reiormers from
their enmity. Hence those who openly
professet, the new doctrines were in ma
ny instances obliged to fly, and to hide
themselves, for the preservation Of their
lives. One of9hese fugitives, a worthy
DE- atlaahed himself to the
IsliclteF in the little
as46f Manor. Here he applied
the teaching of the rural poI-
yOund; and such was his utility,
+s 1t which bis learning and
5 ced, that he spent his days
the hour of danger lasted,
N,formed religion came TO