, 1864-01-02
IRON WILSON'S TALES OF THE BORDERS. I
A Tale Of Vengeance.

now God bless you, my children"
So saying, he placed his daughters hand
in that Of Edward May6eld, and sank back
upon his pillow. In a few moments, the old
man was no more.
Edward Mayfeld was young man of five-
and-twenty years Of age. Sober and indus
trious, kind and gentle, beloved by all who
knew him, it is not to be wondered at that
he gained the heart of Mary Leslie, the
daughter Of nsighboring farmer. When
her father died she was just nineteen, and
the following year saw her the wife Of Ed
ward Mayfeid.
The father Of Edward was man not over
burdened with worldly gear; and when,
upon his marriage, Edward took farm upon
his own account, he had only his own in
dustry to look to for the provision of his
rent against quarter-day. For some time,
matters went on pretty smoothly; Edward
being always able to meet the demands Of
his landlord until the third year of his lease,
when bad season threw him rather back in
the world. However, the sudden death of
Mr.. Meldrum, his landlord, and the estate,
in the absence of Mr.. Meldrum's son, falling
into the charge Of an adjoining proprietor
one Of the most humane men in existence
edward was not called upon for any rent.
The following season was an equally bad
one, so that Edward was still unable to make
payment. For this he was heartily sorry !;
but Mary always kept up his spirits by bid
ding him hope, as there was little doubt
that matters would soon mend, and the next
year would furnish him with the means Of
retrieving his losses and settling all his ar
rears.
Things were in this state when, one even
isg in dark December" n stranger alighted
ut the village inn. He was coarse, hard
featured man, with villainous scowl upon
his countenance, and an impudent swagger
in his gait. Entering the principal apart
ment, in which were seated all those Of the
village who had little to do at home, reading
the news, and settling their ncighbors' affairs
to their own contentment, he called for sup
per. During the progress Of his meal, which
was made up Of the choicest viands the
house could afford, he was looked on with
an enviOus eye by a lean gentleman in
threadbare surtout, who sat At an adjoining
table. diseussing pint Of small beer, and
one Of those apologies for Finnan haddocks,
yclept " "speldings.'
"Do you know me-" said the stranger,
"that you gaze at me SO intently 7"
Hem-no!p n said the lean gentleman,
who was no other than Mr.. Horatio Skiny-
gauge, the apothecary; that is, l don't
know exactly
Perhaps you do know memo matter
'Tis ten years since have been in this village.
Tell me, how do affairs get onI How is old
Meldrum Of the Mainsy "
+" Meldrum Of the Mains! r. echoed the
apothecary. "Why, man, you must be q
stranger indeed not to know that he has
been dead these two years."
" All indeedp said the stranger, with
as joyous q look as he could put on; for
the news seemed to delight him. "And
perhaps" he continued, after pause
perhaps you can tell me something Of
Mary Leslie 7"
!, "That can. sir-shes been married
these four years."
"Married to whom Z"
edward Mayfeld."
Courses light upon himw cried the
stranger, half rising from his seal, and strik-
ing his clenched ist upon the table. "Mar-
ried and to himl What, has she given q
base-born churl all that she denied me5 Oh,
how ! hate her for that act ! But vengeance
shall yet be mineP,
"Ahp exclaimed Mr.. Skinygauce, with
the voice and aspect Of one who has sud-
denly lighted on, q mares nest j know
who you are now: you are Mr.. Ralph Mel
drum"
And Mr.. Skinygauge was right. II was,
indeed, the absent son Of Edwards landlord.
Selfwilled and ill-tempered, Ralph had, ten
years before, made love to Mary Leslie but
she, in her heart despising him, would not
consent to become his wife. He did not
offer her marriage; but Mary, unskilled in
a base world d's ways, never dreamed but that
he nioant TO do 80, and she rejected all his
overtnrcs and Stunned him. Shortly after
this, Ralph, at the village fair, struck man
q severe blow upon the temples from the
mere spirit Of mischief. The man died,
and Ralph fed. During all the period Of
his absence, he had been cruising about in
a privateer, and now returned to his native
village no richer than when he left it. The
news Of his fathers death was pleasing to
him, and he instantly took possession Of the
lands which were rightfully his. Great was
his Joy on discovering that Edward Mayfeld
was two years behind in the payment Of his
rent. He gave instant orders for a seizure
and Edward, with his sorrOwing family,
we're turned out Of house and hall. From
house 20 house they wandered, till at length
Edward was fortunate enough to procure
employment as farm servant, short dis
lance from his native village. Luckily,
half-ruined cottage near the farm was unoc-.
cupied. Thithefdid Edward and his family
repair.
Early one morning, Mary was aroused
from her slumbers by loud knocking at the
door. She awakened Edward, who arose
and drew back the bolt. TO his astonish-
ment, Ralph Meldrum, followed by fellow
named Waterston, whom he had lately ap-
pointed as his factor, entered the cottage.
Edward Mayfeld, !" said Ralph, 81 come
npon an unpleasant business. MY house
was last night entered, and silver-piate to
large amount was carried of. The whole
village point at you as the perpetrator Of
4 = atH. 49, G. d