Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-09-10
NO. 2o9.
Tales and Sketehes.
A STAMPEDE IN 1874.

Ou IL uOt CNCu SPEAK " m6
The questioner was a tall, handsome
man. though somewhat worn-looking, and
decidedly shame-faced. The person he
addressed was winsome lassie of some
seventeen years, who had come to the
well-head, where small stream of pure
water trickled through rude spout in
put down her pitcher and was waiting for
it to fill, leaning meanwhile with both
arms on the rude stone wall which pro-
tected the spring from the encroachments
of cattle, and looking everywhere but at
the speaker. you'll no. even look at me I"
repeated Duncan Scott, wistfully, land
this perhaps the last time we'll ever meet
by the well-side, where we have spent so
many happy hours. Won't you just speak
to me, Elsie ?"
That will l nor answered Elsie,
turning on him with womanlv inconsistent
cy. "lhat will / mo- Duncan Scott! l
wonder you dare SO much as to look at me
after what you said, and what you evened
me to the last time we met here. / think
it shame that ever cared for the likes of
you."
To Judge from his face, Duncan seemed
to find comfort even in these sharp words:
''But, Elsie, woman"
I'm hear nothing, Duncan-not
word!' interrupted Elsie. her blue eyes
flashing fire at the remembrance Of her
wrongs. '1ll never wed a jealous pated
fool And jealous of whom?" she asked
in tone Of the utmost scorn: "Of my
own foster brother that was nursed at the
breast of my mother. I wonder you did
ma think of Habbie, or witless Michael in
the ingle- nook"
But. Elsie, would you but listen"
"No, I'll no. listen. For what suld l
listen ~
"But you might tell me how it was, Ell
sic? You might say word to explain
what you are doing with young Ferni-
churst so late at e'en ?"
Again Elsie turned on him.
Explain P-and what for saul explain
or what right have you to think any ex-
planation needed? Is not Fernichurst my
own foster-brother, as told you, as you
knew well enough? And is not that the
same as my own brother and morep But
will explain" said the poor girl, forcing
back the tears which were too ready to
run over:
"Fernichurst loves bonny Mary. Har-
denis daughter, that's away in Edinboro'
with her aunt for safety; and knowing me
to be an old friend and playmate Of the
young leddy's, he gave me letterfand
token for her against her coming home,
knowing that no mans life is safe for
day, with the English camped here in our
very midst. So there we have the tale.
and much good may it do you. No. no!
You needn't try to come round me that
gate, Duncan!' she added, in firm but
scornful tone. Withdrawing the hand that
Duncan would have taken. "All's over
between us. have borne much ere this
from your jealous humor, but I'll bear
no more. I'll have naught to say to any
man who can call me what you called me
that night. Go your ways-with whom
you will. l wish you no ill, but all the
good in the world but you are no more
aught to me nor to you! Fare ye wellw
So saying, Elsie took up her pitcher,
which had been for some time brimming
over, and walked down the path, without
so much as casting a look behind. Dun
can seemed to feel that his cause was help
less, for he followed sorrowfully enough,
and did not even attempt to speak again.
Tweeddale. in Scotland, at the time be-
fore the eighteenth century very safe or
quiet place of residence, was peculiarly
unhappy in the year 1924. The English
army, under Surry, was encamped near
Judburgh, which place the Admiral so
sorely burned and wasted that no garrison
nor none other should be lodged there.
From their camps the English made forays
and ncursons on all sides, burning, vast
ing and plundering all that came in their
way. The Scots, seven their enemies
themselves being Judges" made brave
resistance, and according to Surry's own
account they gave their invaders plenty of
work, and kept them in so perpetual
sSirmish" rs the Lord Admiral ''never saw
the like" The little farm-if farm it
could be called-of Craig-end, had hither-
to escaped the spoilers. 1t lay thoroughly
sheltered from notice in nook Of the hills,
where steep braes. receding from small
and rapid stream, left room for meadow
or level space of some sixty acres in ex-
fertile land stood the peal or tower of
Craig end, rude building of rough stone
three stories in height, surrounded by
wall and out buildings, the latter con-
structed chiefly of mud and turf, and serv-
ing as shelter for the cattle at night.
Not far from the tower, the stream
tumbled over precipice in a consider
able cascade, and after winding from side
to side of the valley, it issued at the lower
end through a pass so narrow, intricate
and precipitous, that five resolute men
might easily hold it against hundred.
The holder of this little tortalice was Hal
bert Scott, or Halbert of Craig-end, re-
tainer of the laird Fernichurst, who in his
turn owed feudal service to the Lord
Buccleugh. Halbcrt was an old man, un-
able to bear arms but his two sons, Am
brose and David, were with their lord,
helping to garrison the stronghold OF
Ferniehurst, which lay but miles distant
across the hills.
Duncan Scott was Elsie's cousin, and
her betrothed lover. This was by no
means their first quarrel, for Duncan was
Jealous and Elsie was proud, but never
had matters gone so far between them as
now. Never had Elsie shown herself so
implacable. Her anger was not wholly
unreasonable, for Duncan had done her
grievous wrong. He had seen his be-
trothed in earnest conversation with the
laird of Ferniehurst for an hour together
in the cleaning. He had not been able