, 1864-05-14
[FRoM WILSON'S TALES OF THE BORDERS.
The One-Armed Tar.

1 man; Tor he was minus his right arm. 1t
was pleasant to look upon his merry old
face, and to see his HaNcn locks descending
over his brow in sea-made ringiets; for,
though Tic was turned threescore, there was
not grey hair upon his head. He ap-
peared like an image OF conteHtment, that
enviUus mortals had deprived Of an arm,
and LETT him laughing ut their malisnity.
But, above although Tom vas ueither
given to the throwing of the hatchet, nor
the spinning of long yarns-it was delight
tul, when he was about half.a-sheet in the
wind, to hear him relate lew scraps of his
history.
cay! ay" he would say, ~ have been
in rum scenes, and encountered some rough
squalls in my timc-but no matter: anl
now sailing-master MoAat, with FIVE and six.
pence a-day--and no mistake; and pen.
sion for the loss Of my right fn into the
bargain. am as comfortable and happy
as any two-handed man in the three king
dJnIs. But. if you wish to know my his.
tory, all that's worth telling of I is soon told.
| was born in Hexham. My mother was
naval officers widow, and her father cler-
gyman. l say she was a widow, because
my father died before [ was born. had a
sister, but do not remember her; and
was brought up by my mother beneath the
roof Of her fath,r. He was good but Sc
we're old man, and tried to like him, but
l could not for shook as l heard him cry
-'Thomas.' He gave me a good educa-
ton, aud wished to make parson Of me,
though don't think was any more par
sOn-like then than am now, aud that's not
much, take it. The old man didn't be-
long to the Church--he was Dissenter
and he persevered in his determination OF
making me a preacher. Therefore, when
was about sixteen, he called me into his
study, and informed me that he intended
sending me through to Edinburgh to at
tend the classes. He even spoke Of my
succeeding to the pulpit which he occupied
and he spoke till he brought the salt water
into my eyes, aud almost upon my checks,
Of living to see me preach in il Ihad no
ambition for the honors which he seemed
to have in store for me. However, as he
was rather too strict disciplinarian for me,
| offered no objections to his plan Of send
ing me to Edinburgh. l thought il would
free me from the restraint under which be
kept me, and that was al knew about the
matter; though, like an ungatefal dog as
/ was, did not thank the old man as
ought to have done.
| Now. my grandfather had watch-it
was not gold one. but it was very ex-
cellent silver one, and it had gold chain
and seals attached TO it--it had been pre-.
sented to him as a token Of respect on the
day If his ordination. by family in which
he had been for six Yeas tutor and chap
lain.s And, on the day Of my departure,
when l had kissed my mothers cheek and
felt her lips upon mine-for loved her as
did my own soul, aud she deserved il all
tho cd man took my hand i and he pulled
the watch from his fob, and he put il into
my hand, chain, seals, aud all, and
take this, Thomas, said he, for your
grandfathers sake; and as often as ye look
at il, remember that time is precious
spend il not in vain
Ifeyerl loved the old man before, 1 be-
lieved that / loved him then. For pre-
sents are excellent temporary openers Of
the heart, either Of man or woman. II
your sweetheart be shy, II is wonderful how
present will molify her-but it is not the
real thing; and her seeming affection, so
produced, won't stand the test, or be Of long
duration have been sailor, and foolish
enough in my day, but / tell you, IL you
wish girl 70 love you sincerely and truly,
never attempt 70 win her heart by the offer
Of brides. Give heart for heart aud
nothing more, till you have her hand, too,
and then give her as much as you like.
But, as I was telling you, set out for
Edinburgh with my grandfather's watch in
my pocket, and pulled it out, either to
sec the hour, or admire my property, DUR
ing every half hour ON the journey. And,
believe, though did shed tears when he
gave II, that, before / was half way to Ed
inburgh, I had forgot the giycr in the gift.
However, the first session passed on tuler-
ably enough. Twas not kept upon shOrt
allowance; but, though Idid not want for
yictuals, | had not sixpence Of pocket
money. and I felt this more, because /
thought that some of my fellcw-students
perceived my circumstances, and despised
me on account Of them.
/ returned home honored with o prize,
and received the caresses Of my mother,
and the congratulations Of my grandfather.
The old man predicted bright days for
me-already, in imagination, be beheld me
in the pulpit which he had occupied for
thirty years.
But. With his Grst session, ended the pru-
deiice Of Tom MoiKat and his grandfathers
hopes. About the end Of the second, a cir
cumstanee occurred which put stop 70 my
studies for twelve mouths. If not forever.
The people with whom l had lodged during
the krst year were about to emigrate to
America. Their name was Lindsay, and
they had daughter called Margaret,
beautiful girl Of seventeen. Ineter saw
her bat my blood raa at the rate Of ten
knots. During my second session. We used
to walk in the Meadows, or around Dad
dingstoDe Loeb; together, and / fofsoOk the
study Of Greek and Lafiii 10 study the words
that fell from the lipsof Margaret Lindsay.
But; as was saying. they were about to
ehIigrate to America, and l accompanied
them 70 Leith, aud west on board the vessel
With them. II was night when they sailed.
Margaret and were sitting ID q corner