The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1869-05-01

nerC r! ne continued.
"Just, sir, because she Is mother, and
has a mothers heart; and, as ye hae mo-
ther and sisters VITO will now be mourning
for ye at 0akwoOd, she thought that, be-
like, ye would hae something to say that We
would wish to have communicated to them
and, IL it be 80, am come to offer TO be your
messenger"
"Maiden 70 said he, with emotion, "speak
not OF my poor mother, or you will unmAn
me, and | would wish TO die as becomes my
fathers SON.
"That's right, hinny," whispered Simon;
speak TO HIN about bis mother sgain--talk
about her sorrow, poor lady, and hef tears,
and distraction, and mourning-and hae
little doubt but that We shall get him to
marry Meg, or do onything else, ard shall
get back TO my family after a.
"What il it that We whisper, Simon,
10 the malden's car y inquired the laird,
.sierGty.
80, naething, sir-naething, assure ye,v
answered Simon, falteringly; 81 was only
saying that, il ye sent her over to Oak
wood vi a message to your poor, honoured,
wretched mother, that she would INQUIRE for
my poor widow, Janet, aud my bits o BARNS
and that she would tell them that nothing
not my death bed, butt declare I am
ashamed to think OF - was saying that
vas simply telling her to inform my wife
and BARNS that nothing distracted me in the
hour o death but tho thought o. being part
ed from them
Without noticing the evesive reply Of his
dependent and fellow-prisoner. the laird,
addressing the intruder, said-"Ye speak as
kind and considerate lasse. | would like
to send scrape o a pen to my poor mo
ther, and, II ye will be its bearer, she will
reward ye"
And, belize" she replied, "ye would like
70 hear i the good lady has al answer back,
or to learn how she bore the tidings o.
your unhappy fate"
"Bsfore Gu could return" said he, "the
time appointed by my adversary for my ex
ecution vii be past, and shall feel for my
mothers sorrows with the sympathy or
disemboded spirit"
But" added she, III you would like to
hear from your poor mother-or, belke, to
see her, for there may be family matters
that ye would wish to have arranged-I
think, through the influence of my lady, Sir
Gideon could be prevailed upon to grant ye
a respite for three or four DAYS; and, as he
isna man that keeps his passion long, per-
haps by that time he may be disposed to save
your lie on terms that would be more ac-
eeptahlc"
"No, maiden" be rapled; Che Is my enc
my, and from him wish no terms-no elem
ency. Let him fulfil his purpose-I will die,
bnt my death shall be reyenged; and tell
my mother that il was my latest injunction
that she should command every follower o.
our house to avenge her sons death
while there il a Murray left in all Scot
land to repent the deed O. the knight o Eli
bank
40, sweet young ma'Sm. or mistress -
cried Simon, "bear the lady no such mess.
age, but rather, a. We Lac said, try il il be
possible to get your own good lady to per
suade Sir Gideon to spsre our lives for
few days; and, as We say, the edge o. the
auld knights revenge may be blunted by
Ehat time, or, oerhsPs,-iuy worthy young
master may be brought to see things in a
clearer light, and, perhaps, TO marry Miss
Margaret, by which means our lives may be
spared. For it is certainly the height o.
madness in him t. sacrifice my life and his
own, rather than marry her before he has
seen her'
Simon," interrupted the laird, g the
maiden has spoken kindly; let her endeavor
to procure a respite--a reprieVe for you.
Ia yonr death my enemy can have no
gratIti alton; but for me--leaye me to my
sefn
90, sir" replied Simon, eve wrong me
We mistake me s'thegther. If you are 10
die, will die also; but do ye no think it
would be as valOrOus, and mair rational, at
least to see and hear the young leddy be-
fore ye determine to die rather than marry
her NJ
"And hae We" said the maiden, address
ing the laird, 'preferred the gaIlows to poor
Meg without even seeing her p
'If haena seen her, | hae heard o. her. !
said he; "snd, by al accounts, her cOunten-
ance isna ane that ony man would desire to
see accompanying him through the world,
like shallow at his oxter.'
Belize" said the maiden, s'she has been
represented to you worse than she looks ike
If ye saw herr We might change your
opinion; and, perhaps, after a., that she
.sna oonny is a. that any one can say against
her
"Wheest, lsssie ~ said he; al Wilma be
forced to onythiug. A Scott may be led,
but he Wilma drive. have no wish to see
the face o your young mistress, for Wilma
hae her. But you speak as one that has a
feeling heart, and before l trust ye VII my
last letter to my poor mother, should like
to have s. nee at your face, and by your
countenance l shall judge whether or not it
will be safe TO trust ye."
Il doubt, sir, replied she, throwing back
the hood that covered her head, "ye will see
as little in my features as ye expect to find
in my young mistress's to recommend me;
but, sir, you ought to remember that Jewels
are often encrusted 10 coarser metals, aud We
will often find a delicious kernel within an
unsighlly she'll"
sHe speak sweetlY, and as sens.bly as
sweet" said he, raising the Pickering lamp,
which burned before them upon a small ta-
bic, ana gazing upon her countenance; sand
will now tell ye, lasse, that il your features
be not beautiful, there is honesty aud kind
liness written upon every line OF them; and,
though ye are dependent in the house o.
my enemv, J will trustye. Try il ] can OBJ
tain writing materials to address few lines
70 my mother, and will confde in you to
deliver them.n
"fe may ccn6de in me- rejoned she,
land the writing materials We desire hae
brought WI me. Write, and not only shall
your letter be faithfully delivered, but, as We
hae eonfded in me, will venture to saw
that your life shah be spared until We re-
eeive her answer; for may say that what
request, Lady Murray will try to see per
formed. And IL can find any means
IN my power by which ye can escape, 1t
shall not be lang that ye will remain a pris.
cner." aA
"Hhank We t--doubly thank yep cried
simon; we are good and kind creature
aod, though my maister refuses to marry
your mistress, yet, had l been single, I
would hae married you. But, oh, when We
30 VIZ the letter to his mother, my honoured
LADY, VIII ye.just 60 away dcwn to q bit
wh'te house which lies by the river side,
about mile and half aboon Selkirk, aad
there ye will fad my poor wife AL BARNS
Or rather, Ishoald say, nv G. happy
widow and my orphahs--and tall them-nh