Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1863-11-06
GnIzEL COoHRANE.


ahcester to the present Earl of Dandonald. He
was one Of the most prominent actors in Afgyle's
rebellion, and for ages settled gloom scethed to
hang over the house Of Campbell envelopinQ in
common ruin all who united their fortunes in
the cause Of its chieftains. The same doom en-
compassed Sir John Cochrane He was sur
rounded by the kings troops--long, deadly and
desperate was his resistance, but at length over
powered by numbers, he was taken prisoner,
tried and condemned 10 die upon the scaffold.-
He had but few days to live and the iailer,
waited but the arrival of his death warrant TO
lead him forth to execution His family and
friends bad visited him in prison and exchanged
with him, the last the long, the heart yearhing
farewell. But there was one who came not with
the rest TO receive his blessing-one who was
the pride of his eye, and of his house-even Gri-
eel, the daughter of his love- Twilight was cast
ing. deeper gloom over the grntings of his pris-
on house; he was mourning for last look of his
fayorite child, and his head was pressed TO the
cold, damp walls of his cell to cool the feverish
pulsations that shot through it like strings of
lire, when the door of the apartment turned slow
ly on its unwieldly hinges and his keeper en-
tered, followed by a young and beautiful
lady. Her person was tall and commanding,
her eyes dark and fearless; but their very
brightness spoke of sorrow too deep to be wept
away, and her raven tresses were parted over an
open brow, clear and pure as the polished mar
BILE The unhappy captive raised his head as
they entered
My child my own GrizelIr he exclaimed,
and she fell upon his bosom.
"My fatherl" sobbed the miserable maiden,
and dashed away the tear that accompanied the
words.
"Your interview must be short, very short, E"
said the jailer, as he turned and left them for
few moments together. m ra
"God help and comfort thee, my daughteri"
added the unhappy father as he held her TO his
breast and printed kiss upon her brow.
II had feared that should die without be-
slowing my blessing on the head of my own
child, and that'stungm me more than death; but
thou art come, and the last blessing Of thy
wretched father Lga Tlf
"Nay, forbearl' she exclaimed; 'not thy last
blessing not thy lastl--iny father shall not de"
"Be calml be calm. my child,' returned he;
"would to Heaven that could comfort thee, my
loved onel But there Is no hope-withiu three
/ days and thou and all my little ones will be-
fatherless-" he would have sad but the word
died.on his tongue f..s
HThree dnys" repeated she, raising her head
from his breast, and eagerly pressing his hand;
''my father shall livel Is not my grandfather
the friend of father Petre, the confessor, and the
master of the King? From him he shall beg
the life of his son. and my father shall not diel"
May, nay, my Grizel, returned he, abe not
deceived, there is no hope; already my doom is
sealed; already the King has signed the order
for my execution, and the messenger of death is
now on the way" tIs
"Yet my father shall not diel" ehe repeated
emphatically, and clasping her hands together.
"Heaven speed daughters purpose" She OK
claimed, and turning to her father, said calmly,
"we part now, but we shall soon meet again.
3 "What would my daughter2" inquired he
eagerly, gazing anxiously on her face. f
ASK not now, my father" she replied, "ask
not now with thy last blessing" - ilH
He again pressed her to his breast, and wept
upon her neck. In a few moments the tailor en-
tered and they were torn from the arms of each
other ' ie'l aH
On the evening of the second day after the
interview we have mentioned, wayfaring man
crossed the drawbrdge at Berwick, from the
north, and proceeding down Marygate, sat down
to repose upon bench by the door Of an hostile
ry on the south side of the street. nearly 'front.'
ing where what was called the Mainguard then
stood. He did not enter the inn, for il was
above his apparent condition, being that which
Oliver Cromwell had made his headquarters a
few years before, and where at some earlier pc
riod James the Sixth had taken up his residence
when on his way to enter on tie sovereignty
of England The traveller wore coarse jerkin,
fastened around his body by lcathern girdle,
aud overa small cloak composed of equally plain
materials He was evidently young man. but
his beaver was down so as almost to conceal his
features. In one hand he carried small bundle,
and in the other pilgrims staff Having call
cd for glass of wine, he took crust of bread
from his bundle and after a few minutes rose
to depart. The shades Of night were setting in,
and it threatened to be night of storms The
heavens were gathering black, the clouds rush
ing from the sea, sudden gusts of wind were
moaning along the streets, accompanied by
heavy drops of rain, and the face of the Tweed
was troubled. alo s Ft
"Heaven help thee, if thou intendest to travel
far in such night as this" said the sentinel al
the English gate, as the traveller passed him
and proceeded to cross the bridge. .-.
In a few minutes he was upon the borders Of
the wide, desolate and dreary moor of Tweed
mouth, which for miles presented a desert of
whins, ferns and stunted heath, with here and
there dingle covered with thick brushwood.--
He slowly toiled over the deep hill, Drawing the
storm which was now raging in the widest fury.
The rain now fell in torrents and the wind howl
ed as legion Of fanished wolves, hurling its
doleful and angry echoes over the heath. Still
the stranger pushed, onward till he proceeded
two or three miles from Berwick, when, as if un-
able longer to brave the storm, he sought shelter
amidst some crab and bramble bushes by the
wayside. Nearly an hour had passed since he
sought this imperfect shelter, and the darkness
of the night and storm had increased together
when the sound of horses feet was heard hurri-
edly splashing along the road. The rider bent
MS nedO TO tne Dldht. OuuutnlJ MS HOIse was
grasped by the bride, the rider raised his head
and the traveller stood before him, holding a
pistol to his breast. ra f t1n
"Disniountp' cried the stranger, sternly
The horseman, benumed 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 drag
ged him to the ground. He fell heavily Oh his
face. aud for several minutes was senseless. The
stranger seized the leathern bag Which contained
the mail for the north, and fling it on his shoul-
der, rushed across the heath.
D Early in the morning following, the inhabi-
tants of Berwick were seen hurrying in groups
to the spot where the robbery had been com
mitted, and were scattered in every direction
around the moor; but no trace of the robber
could be obtained. d t4
Three days had passed, and SirJohn Cochrane
yet lived. The mail which contained his death
warrant had been robbed: and before another
order for his execution could be given the in ,
teTcessionI of his father the Earl of Dundonald.
with the Kings confessor might be successful
Grizel now became almost his constant compan.
lon n'prison, and spoke to him words of conn
fort. Nearly fourteen days had passed since
the protracted hope in the bosom Of the prisoner
became more bitter than his first despair The
intercession Of his father had been unsuccessful
-Rhd a second time the bigoted, and would be
despotic monarch signed the warrant for his
death, and in little more than another day, the
warrant would reach his prison..
"The ewill Of Heaven be DONE" groaned the
captive i
saAmenl' returned Grizel, with wild yehe-