The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1873-06-27
A srNGuLAR couarsHrp.

SkN6UAAA COCHTSHIR.
In the family picture gallery at
Slams Castle, near Aberdeen, is the
portrait Of dark woman, mascu-
line and resolute, not beautiful nor like
the handsome race of the Hays, of
which she was yet the last direct re-
preventative. This is the famous
Countess Mary, one Of the central
figures Of the family traditions. The
Hays were hereditary lords high
constable of Scotland, and also
one Of the few Scottish families in
which titles and Offices, as well as
lands, are transmitted through the
female line. So this Countess Mary
fonnd herself, at the death of her
brother, Countess Of Enroll in her
own right. aud Lord High Constable
OF Scotland. In one OF the two
pictures of her at Slams, if remem-
Der right, she is represented with the
baton OF her Office, with which badge
she also appeared at court before her
marriage (after this it was borne by
her husband in the character OF
deputy. Her husband was CON-
moner, b. Mr.. Falconer, Of Dalgaty,
whose reported history in connec-
tion with her is curious and deserves
TO be told, though the old tradition
is nodded int, 50 many different
forms that it is very difficult to dis
entangle the truth from its manifold
embellishments.
Toward the beginning Of the eight
esnth century this intrepid and in
dependent lady fell in love With Mr..
Falconer, who at first did not seem
eager to return or notice her affec-
ton. High strung and chivalrous
by nature, she did not droop and
pine under her disappointment, bat
vowed to herself that she would
bring him to her feet. Mr.. Falcon
er left the country after some time,
and went to London. The Countess
Mary also travelled south the same
year. and no news was beard of her
at Slams for some time. Meanwhile
she aud Mr. Falconer met. but un-
known to the latter. who about the
same time became acquainted with o
very dashing cavalier. evidently q
man Of high birth and standing,
but resolutely bent on mystifying
his friends rs to his origin. The
two saw each other frequently, and
were linked by that desultory CON-
panionship OF London life which
sometimes. indeed, ripens into
friendship. but as often ended in a
sudden quarrel. Such was the end
Of this acquaintance; and one day
some trifiing difference having oc-
CURED between the friends. q cartel
reached Mr. FaIconer couched in
very naughty though perfectly cour-
teous language.
These things were everyday mat
tiers in such times. and very non-
chalantly the challenged went in the
early morning. to the appointed
place to meet the challenger. Here
the versions of the story differ.
Some say that Mr.. Falconer and his
antagonist fought, Lut without wit
nesses; that the former got the worst
of the encounter. and remained al
the others mercy; that then. and
not before, Countess Mary made her
self known to him and gave him bis
cho ce-a thrust from her sword or q
speedy marriage with herself
Others say that it was before the duel
that she astonished her lover by this
discovery, and that the choice she
gave him was between marriage and
| ridicule..
The fact of her marriage. and thai
it proved q happy one. is certain.
Mr.. Falconer dropped his own name
to assume that of Hay.
The aisle of the old church ol
Slams contains the graves of Coun'
tess Mary aud her husband. with an
epitapb in Latin. of which the fol
lowing is q translation: Beneath
this tombstone are buried neither
gold nor silver, nor treasures of any
kind, but the bodies of the mosI
chaste welded pair. Mary. Countess
OF Enrol, and Alexander Hay, oi
Dalgaty. who lived peaceably and Low.
ingly in matrimony for twenty-seven
years. They wished to be buried
here beside each other. and pray that
this stone may not be moved nol
their remains disturbed, but that
these be allowed to remain in the
Lord until he shall call them to the
happy resurrection of that life which
they expect from the mercy of God
and the Savior and Lord Jesus
Christ.