Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1867-08-28
srIrrt Gale.


II T. > N 1 T. J. T. X IL - b " \ /
STORY Oh SECOND sIoHr.
From Once Week.
The Hebrideans. In 1773, were somewhat given
to superstition. as most Highlauders are. They
had their legends banshces. their second sight
experiences, iu which il woull be dsloyaty to
their Celtic origin to disbelieve so long as the
fairy-lag is possessed by the owner Of Dunvegan.
Perchance when it has done its duty for the last
time, and Itania shall reclaim her gift, then may
the belief in FAIRIES, charms, and omens, vanish
with il from the shores OF skye. But now the
north wind blows athwart Loeb Shant, aud rulles
the waters of Snizort and Bracadale; and the lone
shepherd, watching his locks ON the heather-grown
hll.sdes, iancies th 10 spirits are grooming a wild
lament over other days, are bearing a message
from other spirits pent up in blocks Of northern
ice to their brethren amongst the snow-capped
mountains of Skye.
But the wind was not signing now; it had
brought fair weather with IL out Of the north, as
in the times Of job; so perhaps the spirits we're
not restless in their captivity as usual, and the
cloud. did not weep for them, though there we're
a few still floating in the evening heavens. 1t
was glorious sunset; and the sun broke through
the soft gray leeces in floods of light, painting
the nearer Ones-in gorgeous colors, aud streakng
the horizon with broad golden bars that were
reflected in the smooth waters below. forming 80
brilliant a background that the bold coast was
sent into darkness, aud the terry-bOat seemed TO
ENlt llNt "A hifk rIttAfi over lalNN sea hl HlAN1
Two girls were watching the boat as It made It's
way toward the landmg-place. They were dressed
in the ordinary costume oi the Skye peasants, and
their scarlet plads, which any where else might
have seemed out OF keeping ia the sumner weather,
here blended hiunoniously with the scene around.
They were tall. fair-haired lasses, bearing a
sufficient resemblance to one another to be sisters.
But they were only sisters children; aud the
orphan Chrsty found home at the house OF her
uncle Farmer NJ Crume
" What is tbe matter, Christy?' asked her
cousin as Christy suddenly to her full height,
aud shading her eyes with one band, stretched ou
the other toward the boat that slowly
approaching.
- Dye see that assie, with the plaid wrapped
round her looking this way p asked Chris. y.
" lis lust my own face looking at me from the
glass aud she shuddered
Nonsense. Christy, there's no paided llssic
on board; your eyes are strained looking for
ponad.H
No lassie. Jessie pr answered her cousin, her
voice sinking almost, to whisper; "no lassie
l tell you there is one standing close by Donald
and its myself, Jessie, myself. Ohl but there is
trouble In store"
Jessie drew nearer to her cousin; she was moi
above the superstitons Of the island; she had
heard OF numerous instances Of second sight, and
she well knew that it foreboded trouble, if not
death.
Dye see her now, Christy p she asked in q
scarcely audible voice, as she hid her face on hel
cousins shoulder.
Notnow. returned Christy, soemnly. She,
gone, aud Donald sees and is waving his hand
There's nothing wrong with him. Perhaps my
eyes were dazed, dear. And there's some one by
his side, a with light hair, and yet the iac'
was sorely like mine
Jessie looked up half relieved.
q told you it was but fancy, Christy."
May be- replied Chrisiy musngy "l'll tr.
to put it out OF my head but If there had been M
one with Donald, should have been tempted t.
say
Hush hush Chrsty. Don't say it dom
think about it. See, they'll be ashore in fe'
minutes, aud Jessie became absorbed in watching
the boat land its passengers.
Donald NJ Crume was OF the first TO ste
ashore, and followed by the light-haired stranger
made his way to the spot where the two glrls wer
standing.
After the greetings we're over Donald intro
duced his new friend Evanson, young genue
man from the south, whom he had met at Gienelg
aud who wanted TO have fortnights shooting an
fishing in Skye.
81 told him was sure my father would Civ
him lodging he continued, turning to Jessie
- for there are few inns convenient, and there
room and to spare At Glencraige.n
And a welcome for all ~ added Christy, 70
Jessie was too bewildered to make any reply
She was occupied in wondering what could possi
bly have induced Donald to invite Mr.. Eyanson
what could have induced Mr. Eyanson to accep
her brothers invitation; for Mr. Eyanson was
gentleman, aad they were but farming people
However, before many hours had passed away
she and all in the old farmhouse, felt much a
ease with the stranger, as il they had known hin
for years and as il he were no more OF a gentle
man than the SKYE farmer, who plowed his ow
fields sowed his own barley, made his own candles
spun his own cloth, and Ia fact, carried on mutt
farious household trades beneath his roof
Perhaps the secret lay in Allan Evanson's bein
truly gentleman; and recognizing in the unpr'
tending Skye farmer and his family, that nbor
element Of true nobility which alone places me
on a level one with another---that produces soi
of free-masonry, binding together the better par
of mankind, and causing the high-born noble t
appreciate one of natures gentlemen IN the loves
peasant The only equality there ever can
upon earth, the equality OF soul with soul, born {
that innate self llrespect which commands respe'
from those around TO the man, as man, ana n'
as the mere creature of circumstances, whom th
accident OF BIRTH or the skill of his tailor, seno
forth. to shine with equvocal iuster IN the wore
Robin M'Crume, the father OF Donald was
steady, Industrious Intelligent man, who ma
given his son the best education in his powe
though il was necessarily limited one. An
I Donald in common with his itther. possessed
love for the poetic legends aud ballads that fell
the share OF his native island which taste iurth'
{ sOtencd and refined his nature, aud caused MN
appreciate the higher eudowments OF the Oxonial
whom he hal met with at Glenelg, There was
slight touch OF envy mixed with the eagerness vii
which he listened TO his conversation Ms be notice
how eagerly Christy listened too, aud how h'
eyes glistened, when in return for an Old SKY
song, Allan would recite passages, or even who
poems of rennyson, for Allan was Tennysoi
worshper, aud knew page after page of his wr
ngs BY heart. In fact, change had come oy
Chrsty a cloud had gathered between her al
Donald, aud it seemed 90 him that the love he h.
been cherishing in his heart for so long, and viii
he had hitherto hoped was, in some measure reci
rocated would have TO remain for ever unspoke
Aan's fortnight expanded to a month, aud st
he fingered on. The time passed pleasantlyi q
shooting and fishing surpassed his expectation
the mountainous country, the silent lochs, the hi
sides dotted with sheep, the messy pasture-land
the sense of being in some degree separated fro
the great world. Of being in a remote region, b
a touch of Cathy about it, which, despite the dc
recation of his favorite author not altogeth
distastelul to him. But then this Cathy was II
ungeniai TO his tastes, and he had founda prlnce
who, somehow, appeared TO have been planted
the wrong place aud yet whether she would ha
: appeared much OF princess any where else v