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

scott prisoner; anc, from Wnat nae
beard, be will hang him in the morning. Ye
ken what man my father is-when he says
q thing, he will do il; and how can you jest
about the young man, when his very exist
ence is reduced 10 a matter q minutes aud
moments. Though, rather than my father
should tax his life, if | could save him, be
should tax mine.
"Weel said, my BARN." replied the old
woman, "but dinna ye be put about cen
ceTniDg what will never come TO pass. !
doabtna that, before morning, ye will ind
young Scott % Harden at your feet, and beg
ging O. you to save his life, by giving him
your hand and troth, and becoming his wife,
and then, We ken, your father cOuldna, for
shame, hang or do ony harm to hls aha SON
! in-law.p
20, mother mother u replied agnes, il
will never be in my power to save him for
what ye hae said he will never think o; and
If were his vile, question If my fritseT
/ would pardon hin, though | should beg IL
upon my knees"
"Oh, your fathers no sac III az that, Meg
gle, my doc" said the old lady. MARK my
words-if Willie Scott consent to marry ou,
We will henceforth find him and your father
hand and glove"
While this conversation between Lady
Murray and he. daughttr took place, Sir
Gideon entered the room where his prison
ers we're confined, and, addressing the young
Ia rd, said
Now, Ye rank maraudcr, though death is
the very least that that We deserve or can ex-
pect from my hands, vet | wilt gle ye a
chance for your life, and We shall choose be-
tween a wife and the wuddy. To-morrow
morning, ye shall either marry my daughter
Meg, or swing from the branch o. the near
est tree, and the bauldest Scott upon
the Borders Shsnna tax ye down, until
4 ye drop away, bone by bone. ileShless ske-
el0n."
! "Good save usl most honorable and good
Sir Gideonp suddenly interrupted Simon, in
tone which bespoke his horror; shut ye
certainly dinna intend to make an anatomy
o me, toe; or surely, when my honoured
maister marries Miss Murray-as hope aud
trust be will-ye will alloo me to dance
at their wedding, instead o dancing
in the air, and keeping time t. the music o
4 the soughlng wind. And q, master, for nv
sake; for your ain sake, and especially ont o.
regard to nv sma' and helpless family, con-
sent TO marry the lassie, though she isna
exirsordinar' weel-fanred, for am sure that
rather than die dogs death, swinging from
tree, | would marry twenty wives, though
they were a. as old as the bills as ugly as
starless midnicht, and had tongues like
trumpets."
"Peace, Slmon" cried the young aird,
I impatiently; "if We hae turned coward. Keen
the sound o. yer fears within yer ain teeth.
And We, SIR Gideon" added be, turn ng to-
wards the old knight, "ln y7ur amazing mer-
cy and generosity, would spare my Lille, up
on condition that | should marry your bon
" daughter, Meg Look We, sir am Scott
o Harden, and ye are Murray o Elibank-
there is no love lost between Us; chance has
placed my life in your hands--take it, FOR
wouldna marry your daughter though ye
would gle me life, AID a. the lands O' Eibank
INTO the bargain. fear as little to meet
death as do to tell you 10 your teeth that,
had ye fallen into my hands, | would b.
hung ye wi as attic ceremony as | wpula
bring a whip across the back q lsobedi-
ent hound. Therefore, ye are welcome 10
do the same by me. Ye have taken what ye
thought to be sure mode o. getting hus-
band for ane o your frtnSO0se aughters;
but, in the present instance, lt has proved
wrong one, auld man. Do your
worst, and there will be Scots enow
left TO revenge the death O. the laird q Har-
den"
"There, then, is my thumb, young brag-
gart," exclaimed So Gidec1, shat Wilma
hiader ye in your choice; for tomorrow We
shall be exalted a. Haman was; and let those
revenge your death who dare.r
"Msister dear master - cried Simon.
wrngIng his hands, Twill We sacrifice me,
also. and break the hearts o. my puir
wife and family Oh Sir, accept o. Sir
Gideon's proposal, and marry bis daugh-
terr'
"Silencel ye milk-livered slave" cried
the young laird "Do We pretend to
bear the name O. Scott, and vet tremble
ike an ash leaf at the thought O. death !"
eye will excuse me, SIR retorted Simon,
but | tremble az no such thing only, as I
have already remarked, have no particular
ambition for being honored wiz the exalta-
tior o. the halter; and, moreover, | see no
cause why q man should die unnecessarily.
or where death can be avoided. Sir Gideon"
added he, stumble prisoner as | at this mo
ment am, and IN your power, ! leave il 70
you ye ever saw ony thing in my conduct
10 the field O. battle (and We have seen me
there) that could justify ony ane in calling
me either milk-iivered or coward But,
sir, consd,r Il would be altogether unjust
liable to deprive ane O. life, which Is always
precious, merely because my maister j.
stubborn, and Wilma marry your daughter.
But, oh, sir, am not very aulc man vet, ,
and ifye will set me at liberty, though | am
now married man, in the event % nv ever
becoming q wIdower, gle ye my solemn
promise that ! will marry ony o. your doc
theirs that ye please u
"Audacious iciotl' exclaimed the old knight.
raising bis hand and striking poor Simon to
TO the ground.
"Sir Gideon Murray" cried the Young
laird, fercely, care ye such base knave as
to strike iettered prisoner Shame fa'
ye, man where is the pride O. the Murrays
nows"
Sir Gideon evidently felt the tebuke. and.
withdrawing from the apartment, said, as ne
departed" Remember that when the sun
dial shall tomorrow note the hour Of twelve
so surely shall ye be brought forth-al.d
q wife shall be Jour LOT. or the wGddy your
DOOM"
Leave me I cried the youth, inpatient
ly-"and the gall0ws be Tiny choice
is made. Till my last hour, trouble me not
again."
''Sir sir 7" cried Simon, 81 beg, pray
that 20 will alter your determination. There
is surely naething so awful in the idea O
marriage, even though y our wife should have
face not particularly weel-faured. Ye din
ma ken, sir. but that young oman's looks
are her worst fasii; and, ind al, hae heard
her spoken o as lassiy o. great sense and
discretion, and as having an excellent teu-
per- and oh, sir. II ye kenned A. weel what
i IN to be married as do, ye would think
good temper was recommendation far be-
fore beauty"
"Hold thy FOOLS tongue, Simon," cried
the laird; would ye disgrace the family wi
which ye make X your boast 10 be connecl-
ed, when In the power and presence o. its
enemies DO a. ~ see me do--die and defy
them"
1t was drawing towards midnight, when
iha nrianr. .donr waa nnaned asd H. a..t....l