Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1858-06-03
The Curse of Scotland,

4AG 0u4SO VI 0COOAd440s
1t is well known Ithat in the Game Of
Visit, the nine Of Diamonds is often call
ed " The Curse Of Scotland Many are
at q loss to understand the reason. AS
the question is often asked, we publish
the following explanation from an Eng
lish paper. The Duke of Cumberland,
cruel and rapacious. was the friend Of
General Bradock, and fought at length
himself in America, in the old French
war.
"a night or two previous to the battle
of Colloden, three OIL four gentlemen, re
tainers of Prince Charles, and who were
residing in the same house with him at
Inverness, were amusing themselves with
a game at cards. While playing n of the
cards suddenly disappeared, and, though
a~nxiously sought for, could nowhere be
found. Curse the cardl I exclaimed one
of the gentlemen, impatiently, after look
ing for it for some time in vain-I wish
it were in the Duke of Cumberland's
throat The missing card was the nine
of diamonds. Tho gentlemen, however,
determined not to be baked of their
SpOTb, CUuLIlf50 q ouDoblI0bS lOI bHC lOot
article and played on till bedtime.
1.-TWO days after this, the battle of
Culloden was fought and, as is well
known, the insurgent army were totally
defeated, and the hopes of the unfortun
ate Adyenturer laid PROSTATE forever.
Zone consequence of this event was,
that Inverness was thrown open to the
Royalists, and thither, accordingly. the
victorious general, the Duke of Cumber-
land, directed his steps after the engage
ment.
cit was a practice of the Dukes, on
arriving at any town or village which
had been previously visited by Charles,
to inquire for the house, nay, for the very
apartment and bed be had occupied, and
to take possession Of them for his own
use, alleging, shrewdly enough, as a rea
son for this conduct, that they were sure
to be the best in the place. In conform
ity with this practice, the Duke. on ar
irving at Inverness, inquired for the
house in which Charles had stopped and
it being pointed out to him, he immedi-
ately took up his abode in it.
"On the day after the engagement, it
was reported to the Duke that a great
number of the wounded Insurgents and
Others were still wandering, or in con-
cealment, in the neighborhood of the
field of battle. The ruthless general
whose naturally cruel disposition and
sullen temper seemed to have been fear
fully excited BY the resistance he had
met with, and by the trouble it had cost
him to subdue the rebellion in Scotland
ON being informed of this circumstance,
gave instant orders that a party of mil
itary should be sent out to destroy the
unfortunate men wherever they could be
found.
"A strong body Of troops were accord
ingiy Immediately dispatched on this
sanguinary mission. But the officer in
command of the party, after proceeding
some way on this dreadful errand, sud-
denly recollected that he had no written
authority for the horrible attr ,city he
was ordered to see perpetrated, the COM
tmands of the Duke having been merely
verbal. DESTROYS of being better Sc
cured against any consequences which
might arise from the shocking proceed
ing insThich he was about to be engag
ed, he FASTENED back to Inverness, sought
an audience of the Duke, and respectfully
requested him to give him his orders in
writing.
mo occasion whatever replied the
Duke, ~sternly, and somewhat irritated at
the want of confidence which the demand
implied. Do as you are desired, sir.
I'll answer for the consequence
The officer, however, continued to
press his request, and reiterated his de-
sire to be put in possession Of document
airy evidence that what he was about to
do was done by authority.
" Impatient at this importantly, and
desirous Of getting quit at once Of the
subject and his ~pertinacious visitor, the
Duke hurriedly looked about the apart
hlent for paper on which to write the
desired order but he could see none.
While looking for the paper, however, he
accidentally turned up a corner of the
carpet with his foot, and brought to view
a card which had been lying beneath it.
The Duke observing it, hastily stopped
down and picked it up, exclsiming, as he
did So Oh, here, this will do well
enough for the death warrant Of a parcel
of rebel scoundrels I And he immedi-
ately wrote the fatal order with a pencil
on the back Of the card. This card was
the nine of diamonds. the same which
had been lost a few evenings before !;
and such is version, at any rate, Of
the tradition that has given to this par
ticular card the startling title Of The
Curse Of Scotland"
PRAYER.-Bowed knees and beautiful
words cannot make a prayer, but earnest
desires from a heart bowed by love, in
spired by Gods Holy Spirit, and thirst
ing for God-the living Goodwill do it
anywhere, or in any place. and at any
time.