Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-03-16
Cabs and Sketthes.
From Chambers Edinburgh Magazine
THE BLACK WATCH.


people were unusually favored with genial
sunshine, Miss Jessie Murray set out for a
walk. from her fathers house. She had not
proceeded far on her way before she met
Colin Campbell, a strapping young fellow,
who had just donned the uniform of the
"Black Watch for the first time.
Without claiming for the families of
these two young people the high antiquity
OF the McNabs. who declare they had a
boat of their ain at the time of the flood.
| may say that the Campbell's and the
Mnrrays were reckoned among the bray-
est and most noble of Scotlands chiefs.
''What made YOU such mickle haste to
get into that odious livery?" demanded
Jessie, after pause.
"Odious?'
"Do you not see, Colin" asked Jessie,
IN gentler tone of voice, "what adyan-
tage the English will gain by draining our
brave clans to form kings regiments
The sons of Scotland, whom no foreign
power has ever yet been able to deprive
OF freedom, may be entrapped by craft,
and may be reduced to state of degener-
ate interiority. My father says the first
movement for putting the chains of slay-
cry on Scottish limbs is already made.
The regiments raised in this country will
soon be sent to distant parts of the empire,
or TO foreign seats of war. English troops
will be quartered here to ove-awe the tim
id and the weak. Then what will become
of our freedom, our Parliament and Kirk ?"
"Does he really believe that the new
Government of England has such de-
sign ?n
"lle knows it. Surely it was humiliat,
ing enough to be treated as a mere prov
ince, when we ourselves supplied England
with kings from our own stock of the Stu.
arts. Now that these are driven ignomin-
iously from her shores, what are we to
expect from the needy pretenders who
have come to supply their place but insult.
injustice, and taxation. with levies OF
troops to uphold Il paltry electorate on the
Continent ~
Il do not see how Scotland can resist
The changes that are taking place"
Not see, Colin? Is there not across
the water the rightful heir to the throne of
of this land? Is not Charles Edward Stu
art entitled by Divine right to reign in the
name of his fathero'
''No doubt he is the direct heir, Jessie:
but in such a case as this right goes with
might, and the weakest to the wall"
That's the sentiment inculcated by
craven Wings. No true lover of Scotland
would ever ayow so unpatriotic and time
serving a creed.'
II do love Scotland, as my Maker is nv
judge-and | love you, Jessie, as we'll"
exclaimed the young man, with more spir-
it than he had exhibited during the inter-
view.
prove your sincerity in both instances
by the consistency of your conduct
"Jessie,' said Colin, in an earnest man.
ner, II would willingly pour out my life's
blood to serve your interest or that of my
country. But what can single arm like
mine do towards averting the evils which,
by sort Of second sight you perceive
beforehand is about to befall cur unhappy
land p
Throw aside that blood red garment
the badge of menial service to a foreign
power-retain the bonnie plaid to which
you are entitled by descent, and when it
shall be proclaimed that Prince Charlie has
stepped on Scotias coast bestir yourself
assemble your clansmen, flock to his BAN
ner, aud our country shall! be free. We
will have our own king in Hollywood, and
it may be that you will attend the corona
ton with a coronet on your brow
II have always been taught to believe
that an oath taken freely and voluntarily is
unavoidable. Mine is of so recent date
that it would seem like double perjury to
violate so solemn Il compact with no SUI
ticent cause
IF that be so, no intimacy can exist
between US from this hour Twill not con-
sort with the enemies OF my king, and as
Tor accepting such one for loyer-no,
no. it shall never be.'
LET us be friends to-day, Jessie. at all
events. Tomorrow will be soon enough
ior you to begin to be my eternal foe. Are
you aware that we shall march in the
morning"
WHO will march ?"
The Black Watch
"And where are you going?"
TO London" replied Colin.
TO London?" she repeated, and imme-
diately became as pale as death itself. :
Colin was but a young man, but he pos
scssed sufficient sagacity to calculate the
result, and he concluded in his own mind
that there was little hope for the Jacobin
party. Love and romance beckoned him
to follow an ideal glory. but prudence di-
rected him to march beneath the banners
of King George in the ranks of The Black
Watch.
Yes. Colin, confess do love you.
You cannot know the anguish that will
wiring my heart when you are absent. Oh,
stay. for PHYS sake. BE true to yourself
and the cause that is naturally your own,
and will share with you whatever lot
you please
lie TUNED towards her. half in pity, half
in anger.
Would you have me perjure myselfP"
he demanded.
NO, no; did not say so. Only prom
ise me this, Colin. Should you find Your
self in danger Of being betrayed into for
eign service, you will return to Scotland
not to join our ranks mean not that;
but because it is your proper place."
III can do so consistently with honor,
| solemnly pledge myself to act as you
desire"
They shook hands. and thus they parted
Two years have passed away since the
circumstances detailed in the last chapter