Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1875-07-07
THE BROKEN PRIuROSES.
A Highland Story.

Among all the flowers that make the
country beautiful, I think none have
such tender place in memory as the
primrose. Who ever passed the months
of spring in the country, in childhood,
who cannot recall how joyously the first
appearance of the favorite was hailed,
and its opening watched as it's deli
cate buds peeped from amongst the
thick gre en- leaves under the shade of a
briar bush, Or around the roots of
wide branching ash tree, or on the
tiny shelves of the hoary rock?
To see even bunch Of artificial pri1n-
roses on pretty young lady's bonnet
seems to me to give touch of poetry to
the wearer; whilst to see them worn by
a matron about to enter into the sere
and yellow leaf period looks like the
ripe m onths of September or October
wearing tie livery of spring. They seem
more in keeping even on the silvery
locks of old age; for an early primrose
may blossom on the brown of winter.
But our story.
The laird of certain Highland estate,
which we call Achaneilean, was early
left fatherless. but was carefully trained
by a very wise, although doting
mother. Sir Evan was q fine high
spirited young man, who gave her the
very highest satisfaction In all things,
excepting in the wandering habits he
had early formed. He would often
dress himself in the strangest DISCUSSES
and mingle with his tenants, taking a
leading share in their games and pas
times. His mother, knowing his high
and honorable nature, was never afraid
of his doing anything wrong, at such
times, but she thought his conduct I'M
dignifed; so, as she could not win him
from this strange habit, she tried to in
fuence him to get married. With this
object in view she gathered around her,
both In London and at home, all the
young ladies she most admired; but her
efforts seemed in vain. Sir Evan was
courteous and attentive to all her
guests, but he was still fancy free; and
she loved him too tenderly to wish to
see him married without sincere at
tachment. She knew Jne requirements
of his nature, and understood, therefor,
that loveless marriage would only
drive him farther into the wander
ing habits from which she wished him
Weaned.
When Sir Evan was in his twenty
fifth year, he went to distant part of
his estate, which he had never visited
before; and, hearing there was to be
wedding, he went to it In disguise as a
minstrel. He wore tattered old tar
tan coat, and carried his fiddle over his
shoulder in green baize bag, whilst
his fair skin was stained to appear like
a gipsy's.
It was toward the latter end of
spring. clear, beautiful afternoon
and by the riverside the young people
were gayly dancing, whilst al old white
haired man, with palsied hand, was
trying his best to give them music.
The Young man drew near and bow
ing to the company, he drew his old
bonnet over his brow, and began to
play.
The dancers were delighted, for they
had never listened to such strains be-
fore; and the old fiddler, trembling
for fear of losing the reward he expect
ed, went to the young minstrel in the
first pause of the music, and proposed
that whatever was paid to either Of
them would be equally divided with the
other. The young man laughingly as
sented. and when the best man came to
offer him glass of something to drink,