The national Republican., 1860-12-12
NATIONAL REPUBLICAN.
THE NAIL ROBBER.
4 FRAGMENT OF ENGLISH HISTORY.

When the tyranny and bigotry Of the last
James drove his subjects to take up arms
against him, one OF the most formid lble en-
emies to his usurpation was Sir George Coch
rane, prominent actor in Argyles rebellion.
For ages destructive doom seemed to hang
over the house of Campbell, enveloping in
common ruin all who united their fortunes to
the cause Of the cbieftaius. The same doom
.encompsssed Sir John Cochrane. He was
surrounded by the Kings troops-long, bold,
and desperate, was his resistance but at
length, overpowered by numbers, he was taken
prisoner, tried, and condemned to die upon the
scaffold. He had but a few days to live, and
the jailer only awaited the arrival of his death
warrant, to lead him forth TO execution. His
family aud relatives had visited him in prison,
and exchanged with him the last, the long, the
heart yearning farewell. But there was one
who came not with the rest to receive his
blessng--one who was the pride of his eyes
and of his house, even Grizelle, the daughter Of
his love.
Twilight was casting deep gloom over the
grating Of his prison house, and he was mourn
ing for a last look of his favorite child, and his
head was pressed against the cold damp cell,
TO cool the feverish pulsations that shot through
it like streams Of fire, when the door of his
apartment turned slowly on its unwilling hinges
and his keeper entered, followed by a young
and beautiful lady. Her person was tall and
commanding, her eyes bright and fearless, but
their brightness told of sorrow-sorrow too
deep to be wiped away aud her raven tresses
parted over an open brow, clear and pure as
the polished marble. The unhappy captive
raised hjS head as the two entered.
any child, my own Grizelle he exclaimed,
and she fell upon his bosom.
My father, my dear father! sobbed the
miserable maiden, and dashed away the tears
that accompanied the words.
Your interview must be short, very short
said the jaier, as he turned away and left them
for few minutes together.
Heaven help and comfort thee, my daugh.
ter " added Sir John, while he held her to his
breast and imprinted kiss upon her brow.
~ feared that should die without bestowing
my blessing on the head of my own child, and
that stung me more than death itself; but thou
art come, and the last blessing Of thy wretched
father -
"Nay, father, forbear" she exclaimed !;
"not thy last blessing not thy ldst-my father
shall not die"
Be calm, be calm, my child" he returned.
"Would to Heaven | could comfort thee, my
own! But there is no hope; within three days
thou and all my little ones will be -
Fatherless, he would have sad but the word
died on his lips.
"Three days. repeated she, raising her head
from his breast, but pressing his hand, three
days; then there is hope-my father shall live |!
Is not my grandfather with the conessor and
the master of the King? From him he shall
beg the life of his son, aud my father shall not
die"
"Nay nay, my Grizele," returned he, be
not deceived there is no hope. Already the
King has sealed the order of my execution, and
the messenger of death is on his way
"Yet my father shall not-shdH not de-"
she repeated, clasping her hands together.
" Heaven speed daughters purpose she ex-
claimed; and, turning to him, said, calmly,
1--WE part now, but we shall meet again"
"What would my chld?" inquired he, ca.
gerly and gazed anxiously upon her face.
"Ask not now," she replied, "my father, not
now, but pray for me and bless me-but not
with thy last blessing"
He again pressed her to his heart, and wept
upon her neck. In lew minutes the jailer en-.
tered, and they were torn from the arms Of each
other.
On the evening of the second day after the in.
terview we have mentioned, wayfaring man
crossed the bridge at Berwick, from the north,
and, proceeding along Marygate, sat down to
rest upon q bench by the door of an hostelre
on the south side of the street, nearly fronting
where what was called the main guard then
stood. He did not enter the inn, for it was
above his apparent condition being that
which Oliver Cromwell had made his head.
quarters a few years before, and where, at the
somewhat earlier period, James the sixth Of
Scotland had taken up his residence, when on
his way to enter upon the sovereignty of Eng.
land. The traveller wore a close jerkin, fast.
ened around his body by leather girdle, and
over it a short cloak Of equally plain materials
He was evidently young man, for his beaver
was drawn down so as almost to conceal his
features. In one hand he carried small bun.
die, and in the other pilgrims staff Having
called for glass of wine he took crust OF
bread from his bundle, and, after resting few
minutes, rose TO depart. The shades of night
were setting in, and it threatened to be a night
of storms. The heavens were gathering black.
the clouds rushing from the sea, and sudden
gusts of wind were moaning along the streets,
accompanied by heavy drops of rain, and the
face Of the Tweed was troubled.
Heaven help thee, if thou intendest to trave
far such night as this" said the sentinel a
the English gate, as the traveller passed him
and proceeded to cross over the bridge.
In q few minutes he was over upon the wide
desolate, and dreary moor of Tweedmouth
which for miles presented a desert OF furze
fern, and stunted heath, with here and there
dingle covered with thick brushwood Slowly h
toiled over the steep hill, Drawing the storm
which now raved with the widest fury. Tn
rain fell in torrents, and the wind howled as
legion of famished wolves, hurling its dolefu
and angry echoes over the heath. Still tn
stranger hurried onward, until he had proceede
two/or three miles from Berwick, when, as
unable longer to brave the storm, he sough
shelter amid some crab and bramble bushe
by the way side.
Nearly an hour passed since he sought thi
imperfect refuge, and the darkness of the nigh
and the storm had increased together, wbe
the sound of horses feet was heard madl