Weekly Trinity journal., 1870-07-09
The Hollow Ash.


very far from the fine old mansion of Hustmou-
ceuX, there stood the ruins of lonely cottage,
in which, many years before | saw it, had been
enacted one of those tragedies which prove that
the poetry and passion of our Celtic and Norman
foretathers has not altogether died out among
the sons of the soil
The cottage, originally woodlands $, had been
given to his widow, who, when her husband was
knocked on the head by the deer-steaers had
pleaded hard for her fatherlesS children. Now
Bill Clarke had not borne the best of characters,
and there was many who did not hesitate to say
that he came to his death in squabble over the
unlawtully killed game, rather than, as the more
charitable portion affirmed, in trying to defend
the same. The squire heard both stories, but
being mercful malone who never expected
perfection, and who meted out such judgement
as he hoped the Great Judge would mete out to
him when he stood before the throne-he
| avoided the question, and gave the widow leave
to live IN the cottage, and gather as much wood
as she required. Moreover many dinner from
the big house found its way to the cottage.
There free schooling for the redcheek lads,
who, with their pretty sister Jessie, were great
fayortes at the hall, and many were the ex-
changes of presents between the squire'S chill
dren and those of the widow at the wood cot
tage-now frock or cOat-now a squirrel or
dormouse and this went on until the children
became young men and maidens, and Joe and
ers. They were fine stapping young fellows,
both of them, better educated and more refined
in appearance than most of their class they
were good workmen, atiectonate sons and
brothers, and first rate at all those rustic sports
which, in those days, found more favor in the
land than, l am sorry to say, they d0 now
sports that were held upon the smooth lawn be-
tore the hall, and where the squires sons were
ready to wrestle, or run, or leap, with the best
man there, and in spite of their ''gentility and
soft bringing up, there were few could beat them.
The games being open to all comers, and the
foresters being renowned for their strength
pluck and agility, the gatherings upon the
squire's lawns, were famous far and near, and
great the merry making the annual meeting
brought about. Never greater had the anticpa-
tons been than upon the occasion our story
treats Of
Strangers hocked in, and amongst them came
one whose handsome face and stately figure be-
lied the keepers dress in which he was clad.
Having entered himself as Hugh Locke, he took
his part in the sports, and both in running, wres-
Ting, and throwing the hammer, carried off the
chief prizes of the day. More than one pair of
eyes followed his movements with angry eal-
ousy, which, in some cases, it was remarked
that whenever he was not competing for prize
he was at Jessie Clarke's side, and with his head
bent down, and an eager, passionate look in his
face, was speaking so low that they only reached
the ears and heart they were intended for.
When the prizes were all won and given to the
victors the squire turned to the stranger saying
" You are fairly entitled as champion, to
choose the fairest lass present for your partner
in the dance so, call out the fddlers, my men,
and bring the black jack that we may drink
Hugh Locke's health, and long may he hvve
strengha and health to rival the lads of the forest"
The toast was drank and three cheers given
for the champion, who seemed to find no diff
ouIt IN I'm n ~
straight up to Jessie, held out his hand, bowing
low before her, with courtly grace The people
cheered again, and c!apped their hands, and the
hall party looked well pleased, which was more
than Jessies brothers did they growled saw
agely as putting her little brown hand into the
Champion S (Which, Joe remarked, was strangely
white for those of working man) she suffered
him to lead her to the head Of the dance, whis-
pering as he went:
81 would it were a partner for life, sweet
heart; | have neither had peace nor rest since
that day when | left thee by the hollow ash
But do not betray me Iverisked more than dare
tell thee to have your little hands in mine again
There was no time .or talking during the
dance but there was many stolen glance,
many a silent hand press but when the music
ceased Hugh managed to lead Jessie behind a
clump of laures, where the cleaning light COM
ing through the green leaves, it was nearly
dark there he quietly passed his arm around
her slender waist and pressed his lips to hers.
"I love you, Jessie, more than anything on
earth, he whispered, smoothing her soft brown
hair, and trying to make the happy downcast
eyes look up again to his own 81 cannot live
without your love; and yet | must go away
from here tonight Promise to meet me at the
hollow ash tomorrow night, I'll tell you plan
I've made which will let me see you every mo-
ment in the twenty four hours promise Jessie. ="
What could the girl do but promise Was
not his arm around herr Wasn't his hand
keeping down, as it were the wild throbbing Of
her heart? Wasn't his kiss, the frst kiss still
tingling upon her lipsY'
"That' all right, then" he said, when the
whispered promise was given. "Ill pay my
duty to the squire, and go my way. God keep
you my sweet flower" This time Jessie's lips
half rose to meet his, 1t was natural to. kiss
one she loved so passionately, and the poor lit
tie girl saw nothing beyond the kiss-a kiss
which many young forester had tried 20 steal,
nd A. hat in har tnnthpr q "a ag