The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1866-11-24
.CELT AGAINST SAXON.
A Terrible Plot.


matter of tradition in the locality to
which it refers.
In the year of the 'Black Death" (the
great plaguel, this countryside was des-
olated by that great Judgment. Whole
families were swept into the grave, root
and branch; households died and re-
ccivcd no burial till the roofs of their
neglected dwellings fell i'll and per-
formed that Office: some, when seized
with the distemper, went and lay down
by the side of some old hang
ing dyke which was likely soon
to fall and cover them; and
lay down in them to die, SO that their
friends would only have to cover them.
Some fled in terror to the hills, and wan
dcred about like ghosts, stunning their
fellows for fear of infections. All! 1t
was a dreadful time.
Gods pure air again sang IN the
leaves. and the sweet breath OF health
blew in from the ocean, in some parts
there were few inhabitants LETT. In
some beautiful glcns, where formerly
the CHEEKY voice of labor awoke the
no sound of living thing was
heard, but the blcat of sheep and the cry
of mOor-iowl. :.
II would not do 10 let the fields lie
waste: and, at the invitation OF the pro-
nrictor. small colony OF LoWlanaeiS
came and settled in the place. Their
and habits were somewhat dlt-
fcrrut from those of the Highlanders:
They dealt less in herds and iiockS, ana
more i'll cropping and raising cereal pro-
duce: introduced better modes OF cultl-
walton and az improved system OF huS-
bandry. They were peaceful ana iho'iS-
triuuS, and the land, under their man
a"rment. soon had IL better appearance
than the surrounding districts. Some
OF the Highland farmers, taking exam
ule from these ncighbors, began I'M
proycmrnts which, in the end, would
benefit themselves. Most of them, how
ever. looked upon the Lowland people
as !ntcrlopcrs, and scorncd their new
tangled WAYS: and among the iat-
ter vera not wanting those VINO
made no scruple at showing their
contempt of the primitive M
ulcmrnts and modes and habits OF
the Highlandcrs. The blood OF Low
lander, may not be so hot rs that oi Il
Highlander, but both, as well as every
other race of our fallen humanity, have
their self-conccited. cgotistlc, ana chol
eric spirits among them. .,
For several years things went on with
tolrrablc smu0thncSs; but the popular
feeling against the Lowlandcrs was
rettinr stronger. Various plans were
mn in opcration to force them to go
back to where they came from but Will
ont success: and ut last conspiracy
was formed for their destruction. The
plot was originated and headed by one
Laspie Rua, or Red Archibald, man
who was both looked up to and feared,
on account of his daring and Vindicitive
disposition. More than once he mad
private ouarrels with his Lowland neigh
bors. and bided his time for revenge.
His influence was great and, having un-
folded his project to Il number OF iike-
minded spirits, they went ut night lar
and near, inilaming their countrymen
AGAINST the scttlers-which, i'll many
cases was not difficult to do-and taking
an oath of secresy and corporation. A
few, who were on friendly terms with
the Lowlanders and profted by learn
strate. bnt they were threatened, and
forced to take the oath. Among
the latter WAS Ronald MGrcgor,
Il nephew of Laspic. He deeply
loved a Lowland maid, Mary Thompson,
the daughter of n ncighbOring farmer.
and. for her sake, would have split his
blood to save her people. But lie knew
that open opposition was worse than
useless, that they would soon find IN
ctiectual method Of silcnCing him, and
entered with apparent heartlncss into
his unclc's design. But his heart was
torn with conflicting thoughts. Acloud
filed with red lightning was about to
hurst on her whom he loved better than
his own soul, on her and OH her friends.
What should he do to save them, or ap-
prise them OF the dangcr9 He dared
not brcal; his oath-his honor was
bound up in il. What was he to do
Many a wild plan he formed, and then
gave up as impracticablc.
While the plot was ripcning, friendly
intercourse with the Lowlanders was
encouraged, to lull suspicion; and Rom
aid had 10 difficulty in seeing Mary as
often as he pleased.
Often before had they wandered by
the dark waters of Glencorrie, at the
foot of which her father lived, while
Ronald iokcd and laughed, and told
fairy legends and tales of feuds that
had been long ago, and talked of the
happy DAYS in store for them; but now
he was silent and his countenance was
troubled. Mary wondered at the change:
she knew he still loved her. for she of
ten caught him looking at her, when he
thought he was unnoticcd, with eyes
full of deepest tenderness. She knew
some secret trouble was gnawing ut his
heart: but, as he did not tell her, she
feared to increase his bitterness by ask
ing him.
Meanwhile the crisis was approaching.
4 meeting of the conspiratOrs was about
to be held, TO decide on the manner OF
carving out their design, and appoint a
time for its execution. The Lowland-
crs. apparently, had no suspicion oi
what was going on. Ronald felt that
they must be saved, and that he was
the only person to save them. More
than once, in his agony of mind, he was
on the point of breaking his oath; but
that would he dishonorablc, he thought
even though it had been forced upon
him. He must find some other plan.
The night of the decisive convention
at length arrived. Ronald, for the sake
of his own feelings, would fain have re-
mained away, but, as the nephew oi
Laspie Rua, he dared not he absent; il
would awaken distrust, and defeat his
purpose; and, besides, he wished to
learn their measures, that he might be
able. in some way or other, to counter
act them. He left his home early, and
on his way to the rendezvous, called on
Mary. The young moon was shining,
and they set out on their usual walk up
the glen. Mary had determined TO ask
him concerning his secret distress, that
she might at least give him her sympa-
thy. So, after they had talked awhile
about general matters, she said
Ronald, there is some trouble on
vour mind that you will not share with
me: maybe could help You to bear it. =
Yes said Roland; Il was going to
speak of it tonight, for | cannot bear
this silence any longer. fear there is
some great calamity about to fall on you
,,d vour neonle As | came through