The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1868-12-26

CAAhEK-
AR the lapse of nine months, again re-
turned to Edinburgh. Daring that period
| had been so shut out from literature and
The world, that ! had heard nothing Of NV
triead the poet and it was with a beating
heart left the vessel, on my first leisure
evening, to pay hin a visit. II was about
the mid lie Of July the day had been close
and sultry, and the heavens oyerchaTgei
with grey poudsrOus clouds and, AS pass
ed hurriedy along the walk which leads
from Lsitn 20 ilnburgh, could hear The
newly awakened thunder. believing far IN
the south, peal after peal, like the artillery
u two hostile armies. | reached the door OF
the poets humble domicile, and had raised
my hand 10 the knocker, when heard some
one singing from within, 10 a voice by far
the most touchii4 gly mouEnfuI | had ever
listened to. The tones struck on my heart
and ffightfal suspicion creased my mind,
as ~et Down the knocker, taat the singer
was 30 other than my friend. But 10 wha,
wretcaed Circumstances what fearful state
VI mind! | shuddsred as l hstencd, and
heard she strain waxing louder aud vet more
mournfui, and could distinguish that the
words were those Of a simple old ballad
- Martt'm - Utad, When wit thou blag.
An shake the green leaves al tree
@ gentle death, when Hiit tayu come
An TAX q lie that weares met"
could listen no longer, but raised the
latch AMI went in. The evening was gloomy,
and the apartment III lighted but could
see the singer, spectral-looking figure, sit
ting on q bed In the corner, with the bed
clothes wrapped round bis shoulders, and
napkin deeply stained with blood on bis
hsad An elderly female, who stood beside
him, was striving 70 soothe him, and busted
from time to time in adjusting the clothes,
wbi,h were ever and anon falling OF, rs be
nodded his head In time to- the music. A
young girl of great beauty sat weeping ~
the bedf1ot
20 dear i R,bsrt," said the woman, "yoa
will destroy your poor head and Margaret
YOUR sister, VII I'm you used to love 90 much,
will break her heart. Do-tie down, dearest,
and take little rest. Your head ID fear
iallv gsshed, and II the bandascs loose Sc
cond time, you will bleed 70 death. Do,
dearest RDtert, for your poor old mother, to
whom you were always 50 kind and dullful
son tiil now-for your poor old mothers
sake, d. lie down."
Ihe song ceased for moment, and the
tears came bursting from my eyes as the
tame changed, and he again sang
20 mither dear, make We MI led,
for my heart it's ficatsrin sair
An oh, s'n I've vex~d ye. ruirher dear,
never vex ye mar.
I've ssnid oaS the nne dark nsrAt
II ths sheet an ne Pissby rsiut
Bats nditter oeAr, mkks ys my bed,
An In ne'sr gang out sssFn"
/ Dearest, dearest Robert,n continued the
poor, heart broken womsa, ssdo lie down !;
for your poor old mothers sake, do lie
down.
.So, no,v he exclaimed, In q hurried
Eoiees ttnot Just pos. mother, not JUST noa.
Here 10 my friend, NJ. Lindsay, come 70 see
me--my true friend, Mr. Lindsay, The sail
/ or, who hAs sailed all round and round The
world; and have much, much % ask him.
A chair, Msrgaret. fsr Mr.. Lindsay. Fmust
be n preacher iiks tsbn Knox, you know-
like the great John ksox, the rsformer Of q
nation-and Mr.. Lindsay aknovs all about
him. a chair, Margaret, for Mr. Lindsay -
am not ashamed TO say il was with tcars,
ard in . voice fsltsring with emosioh, that
! apsloglEed 10 the poor woman for my fn-
1 srasiop at saeh q time, Wsze is othsxsiss,
4 might wen cencluie Ny heart bad grown
hare NJ 2 piece Of the neither ipillstone.
II had known Robert - college, said
''had iosed and respected .hiH3 and had
now come 20 Pag him y yisir, aftss AZ ab.
sspee OF several monthss wholly anprepared
for fDdine him in Bic present COZ fon.s
4 And " would seem that my tears ID foi
4 ne, and psosed e ths poor sfilisssd voaan
and her laughter, by far tbs must eilisis6i
70 Al II = y iRSsss i'issds A.,s u. !. -. Z.
Lssdss5, ssidths unfoztsnsts roes ~