The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1862-02-13
A Highland Legend.

nSS "P"h ume, IN Burr, Glen. on
. wild winters night, farmer and M.
family and servants we're comfortable
seated around peat FIRE. when the vind
was bowling terribly, around tho bouse
and the drifting snow was cloceino mn
.ne door.ways. The farmer knew thai
ms son and servant maid we're much az.
!. taehed to each other, but he would mot
consent to their marriage. Will, thew
were al sitting round the Gre on that
winters night, he thought of plan
oy whteh the servant maid should be
got rid OF; so he saidthat II. before the
next day she would bring him a skull
that vas In Saddell Church. nhe sboula
have his son for n husband The airI's
love was so strong for the young man
mat she joyfully agreed to the pranosal.
although it was quite seven miles 10
Saudeii, and the road thereto lay over
the boInnau-Tuire She knew the road
we'll and all its dangers and difficulties
even by daylight, which would now be
Immensely increased by the darkness of
the night, the fierce wind and driving
snow, and the slippery rocks and the
swollen torrents. But she did not
shrink from the danger, and at one,
made ready and went on her way. The
farmer took good care that she went
alone and that his son did not follow
her. The brave girl went over hill and
glen, battling with the snow storm. and
tracking her path with the greatest diff.
Guilty. She passed safely over the south.
ern side OF Binnau- -Tuire; and NJ mid
night reached Saddell Church Tts
doors were open, burst open, perbans
by the violent wind. She knew The
place where the skull was kent and sbe
groped toward it in the dark. As sho
did so she heard great and poonliar
noise, made up as it seemed, of loud
groans' There was a tramping of light
feet over the pavement, and she heard
forms rush past her; then a moments
silence, succeeded by more mvsterious
groans and sounds. Terrified but not
dISheartened, the brave girl kent her
purpose steadily in view; and proning
toward the skull, seized it with bot3
hands, and made for the church doo,.
The tramping of feet and means con.
tInued, and the forms pursued her
Grasping the skull, she gained the door
and shut it. As she did so she heard n
rush against it; but she turned and fed
by daylight she had gained her lovers
home and half dead with fatigue and
excitement placed the skull in the farm
ers hands, and claimed the fu6llment
OF his promise. The farmer was taken
aback by seeing the girl having hoped
that she would have perished amid the
snow and wilds.
lie would not believe that she had
really been to Saddell and taken the
skull from the church on such a nigbt.
so he at once set out with some of his
men, expecting to be able to disnrova
the girls tale by finding the skull still
In ITS place in the church. thew
got there, and opened the church door
they found within the building not the
skull, but number of wild deer, who
having found the door open, had sought
shelter from the violence of the storm
The girl had told him of the sounds sbe
had heard within the church. Hpra
was the cause, and much as he wished
i otherwise, yet it was impossible for
him to disbelieve her tale. There was
nothing for him to do but to Weld with
The best grace he might. He gave his
consent to the match, and to make as
surauee doubly sure. the lover took his
brave girl to Saddell Church the very
next day where she replaced the skull
n its position and they wore married
'f-hand. And as some Of the der that
had frightened her had been killed and
cooked, they had hearty wedding and
,lenty OF good venson ut the feast that
ollowed.- Gleueraegan, or a Highland
Home in Cantire, by Cuthbert B Jde.