The mountain Democrat., 1863-07-11

rt0er ralSeo MS neao, ana the traveller
stood before him, holding a pistol to his
'oreast.
"Dismountl" cried the stranger, ,sternly.
The hoTseman, benumbed and stricken
with fear, made an effort to reach his
arms, but in q moment the hand of the
robber, quitting the bride, grasped the
breast Of the rider and dragged him to
the ground. He fell heavily on his face,
and for several minutes remained sense
less. The stranger seized the leathern
bag which contained the mail for the
north, and flinging it on his shoulder,
rushed across the heath.
Early on the following morning the In
habitants Of Berwick were seen hurrying
in groups TO the spot where the robbery
had been committed, and were scattered
in every direction around the moor, but
no trace Of the robber could be obtained.
Three days had passc, and Sir John
C0chrane yet lived. The mail which
contained the death warrant lad BEEN
robbed and before another order for his
execution could be given, the intercession
Of his father the Earl Of Dundonald. and
the Kings confessor, might be successful.
Grizel now became almost his constant
companion in prison, and spoke to him
in words of comfort. Nearly fourteen
days had passed since the protracted
hope in the bosom of the prisoner be-
came more bitter than its first despair
The interceSsion of his father had been
unsuccessful-and second time the big
Oted and would be despOtic monarch,
signed the warrant for his death, and .
little more than another day the warrant
would reach his prison.
"Thc will Of Heaven be done," groan-
ed the captive.
"Amen I" returned Grizel, with wild
vehemence; "but my father shall not
die"
Again the rider with the mail had
reached the moor Of Tweedmouth, and a
second time he bore with him the doom
Of Cochrane. lie tpurred his horse to
the utmost speed, he looked cautiously
around him. The moon shed a CHASTITY
light across the heath, rendering dcsola-
tion visible. and giving spiritual embod-
iment to every shrub. He was turning
the angle Of a struggling copse, when his
horse reared at the report Of pistol. the
fash Of which seemed to dash into his
very eyes. At the same moment his own
pistol flashed, and the horse reared more
violently, and he was thrown from the
saddle. In moment the foot Of the rob
Der was upon his breast, who, benIing
over him and brandishing dagger, said,
"Give me thine arms, or die"
The hear of the Kings servant failed
him, and, without venturing to reply, he
did as he was commanded.
"Now, go thy way" cried the robber,
but leave me thy horse, and l,ase me
the mail, lest worse thing come upon
thee"
The man therefore arose and proceeded
towards Berwick. trembling; and the
robber mounting the horse, rode rapidly
across the heath.
Preparations were making for the exc
cutiOn Of Sir John Cochrane; the officers
Of the law waited only for the arrival Of
the mail from the south with the second
death warrant, to lead him forth to the
scaHold, when the tidings arrived that
the mail had been robbed. For fourteen
days the lie Of the prisoner would be
prolonged. lie again fell on the neck Of
his daughter, and wept, aud said, Il is
good the hand of Heaven is in this !"
"Said not, replied the maiden, and
for the first time she wept aloud, that
my father should not die ?"
The fourteen days were not yet passed,
when the prison door flew open, and the
Earl Of Dundonald rushed to the arms Of
his son. His intercesSion with the con.
fessor had at length been successful; and
after twice signing the warrant for the
execution Of Sir John, which had as often
failed in reaching its destination, the
King had sealed his pardon. He had
hurried with his father from the prison to
the house. his family were clineing around
him, shedding tears of joy-and they
were marvcling with gratitude at the
mysterious Providence that had twice in
tercepted the mail. and saved his life,
Ehen n stranger craved an audience. -
Sir john desired him to be admitted, and
the robber entered. He was habited as
we have before described, in the coarse
jerkin; but his bearing was above his
condition. On entering he slightly touch
ed his beaver, but remained with it on.
"When you have peruSed these" said
he, taking two papers from his bosom,
"csst them into the fire."
Sir John glanced at them, started and
became pale; they were his death war
rants.
"My delivercr!" exclaimed he, show
shall | thank thee how repay the savior
Of my life? Ny father, my children,
thank him for me-"
The old Earl grasped the hand Of the
stranger. the children embraced his knees,
and he burst into tears.
"By what name," eagerly inquired Sir
John, "shall thank my deliverer ?"
The stranger wept aloud, and raising
his beaver, the raven tresses Of Grizel
Cochrane fell upon the coarse cloak.
"GraciOus Heaven ~ exclaimed the
astonished and enraptured father. "my
own child my savior-my own Grizel !"
YANKEE WIr-In a neighboring town,
in which they were buildin; railroad,
a party of Irishmen. who we're employed
Al no Of