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

~ JOHN MAcKAT WILSON.

While the prisoners thus converSed in the
place Of their confinement, Lady Murray
spoke unto her husband, saying" And
what, Sir Gideon, Il II be fair question
may We intend to do with the braw young
laird O Harden, now that he is in your
power %
He drew her gently by the arm towards
the window, and, pointing towards tree
which grew at the distance Of few yards,
he said-"Do ye see yonder branch O. the
elm tree that is waving IN the wind : To-
morrow, young Scott and his kinsman shall
swing there together, or hereafter say that
am no Murray"
20, guidman r. said she, cit is because
was terrified that We would be doing the Ike
O. that, that caused me TO ask the question.
Now, | must say, Sir Gideon, whatever ye
may think, that ye are not only acting cruel
", but foolishly"
81 care naething about the cruelty" cried
he; what mercy did ever Scott among
them show to me or minef Lady Murray,
the ball is at my foot, and Will kick il,
though deprive Scott o. Harden o head
And what mean ye dame, by saying act
foolishly p
"Onnly this, guidman," said she--"that
ye hae three daughters TO marry. whom the
world dOesua consider TO be over weeI-faur-
ed, and il isna every day that ye hae a hus-
band for ane O. them IN your hand"
"Sooth I" cried be, sand for once in your
lite ye are right, gudwife-there is more
wisdom in that rcmsrk than I would hae
glen ye credit for. Tomorrow, the 0irkIe
y Harden shall have his choice-eisher
upon the instant to marry our daughter,
klem0uthed Mag, or strap for it
- EEL, Sir Gideon" added she, ssto make
hin marry Meg will be mair purpose like
man 70 cut off the head and TIE hope Of an
auld house, in the very flower O. bis youth;
and there is nae doubt as to the choice be
will max, for there is an unco difference be-
tween them"
"Dnna be over sure" continued the
knight; "there is nae saying what his choice
may be. There is both pluck and a spirit O.
contradiction in the Gallant, and I youldna
be IN the least surprised il ae preferred the
wuddy. ! ken. had | been in his place,
what my choice would hae BEEN"
81 daresay, Sir Gideon" replied the old
lady, who was jocose at the idea Of.
seeing one of her daughters wed, 81 dare
say coG!d guess what that choice would hae
been"
"And what, 10 your WISDOM" said be
sharply, edo ye think it would hae been
the wife or the wuddy :"
o, Gideon Gideon ~ said she good
humoredly, and shaking her head, Sweel
do ye ken that your choice would hae been
a Wife,
"There ye are wrang," cried he; 81 would
rather die death that vas before me than
marry q wife bad never seen. But 20 We
and prepare Meg for becoming a bride
IN the morning, and | shall see what the
intended bridegroom Gays TO the proposal"
In oeedience to his commands, she went
to an apartment in which their eldest daugh-
ief, Agnes-but commonly called "Meikle.
moushed Mag-then sat. twirlIng dstaff.
The old dame sat down by her daughters
side, and, after few observations respect
ing the weather, and the quality OF the lint
she was then torturing into threads. she
said
"Weel. I'm Just thinking, Meggie. that We
max me an auld woman. lie would be si1-
and-twenty past at last Lsmmas."
$50 | believe, mother r. said Meggie; and
a sigh, or very deep and long drawn breath
followed her words. ts ae
"Dear me !" continued the old lady,
e'young men maun be growing very scarce
! wanted four months and Eve days o.
being nineteen when married your faither,
and | had refused at least six offers before
took him."
Gay, mother" replied the maiden, sbut
ye bad . weel-faured facet 70 lay the dif-
ference. Heigho r.
"Hsigho n responded her mother, az In
pleasant railIery-"what ia the lassss heigh-
noing at Certes, IL ye get guidmsn be-
fore ye be six-and twenty, We may think
yourssP . very fortunate woman"
"fes," !" added the maiden, sbut see sma'
prospect O that. doubt ye will see the
Ettrlck running through the sdowis dslls O.
farroE before ye hear o an offer being made
70 me-" 4 ~
"Hoot, hoOt i-dinsa say sac, BARN." add
cd her mother; sthers ID nae saying What
may betide 70 yet. Ye think ye Wilma be
married bsfore 20 ars six-and-twenty; but,
truly, my dear, there has mony q mair IN,
likely ship come to land. Nov, what