The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1877-02-16
Twelve years had passed away Christmas


had again come. 1t was the counterpart
of its fatal predecessor. The hills had no,
yet cast off their summer verdurc the sun,
although shorn of its heat, had lost none of
its brightness or glory, and looked down up
on the earth as though participating in its
Sladness; and the clear blue sky was tran
quill as the sea sleeping beneath the moon.
Many visitors again assembled at Marchlaw.
The sons Of Mr.. Elliot, aud the young men
OF the party, were assembled upon q level
green near the house, amusing themselves
with throwing the hammer and other Bor-
der gaples. -xhila- -hi~,s-<a
| guests stood BY as Spectators, recountinS
the deeds of their youth. johnson, the
sheep farmer, whom we have already men,
toned, now brawny and gigantic fellow of
two and thirty, bore away in every game
the pslu from all competitors. More than
once, as Peter beheld his sons defeated,
he felt the spirit of youth glowing in bis
veins, and, "Oh ~ muttercd he, in bitter
ness, "had my Thomas been spared to me,
he would hac thrown his hearts bluid after
the hammer, before he would hae been beat
by e'er Johnson in the countryw
While he thus soliliquized and with diff
Guilty restrained aud impulse to compete with
the victcr himself, dark, foreign,l looking,
strongbuit seaman, uuceremoniously ap-
proached, and with lis arms folded, cast
look Of contempt upon-the hoastina
fqucror. Every eye was turned with scru-
tinizing glance upon the stranger. In
height he could not exceed five feet nine,
but his whole frame was the model of mus
cular strength; his features wero open and
manly, but deeply sunburnt and weather.
beaten his long, glossy, black hair, curled
into ringlets by the breeze and the billow,
fell thickly over his temples and forehead
and whiskcrs of similar hue, more con-
spcuous for size than elegance, gave a
character of ficrccncss to countcnance 9th.
erwisc possessing striking impress of man
ly beauty. Without asking permission, he
stepped forward, lifted the hammer, and
fswinging it around his head hurled it up.
j wards Of five yards beyond Johnsons most
successful throw. "Well done - shouted
the astonished spectators The heart of
Peter Elliot warmed within him, and he
was hurryins forward to grasp the stranger
by the hand, when the words groaned in his
throat, ''it was just the throw as my Thomas
would have made Ny own lost Thomas!"
The tears burst into his eyes, and, without
speaking, he turned back, and hurried tow
ards the house, to conceal his emotion
Successfully, at every game, the stranger
had defeated all who vcnturcd to oppose
him; when a messenger announced that
dinner waited their arrival. Some of the
guests were already seated, others entering;
and, as heretofore, placed beside Mrs Elliot,
was Elizabeth Bell, still in the noontide of
her beauty; but sorrow had passed over her:
features, like veil before the countcnance
Of an angel. johnson, crcst-fallcu and out
of humor at his defeat, seated himself by
her side. In early life he had regarded
Thomas Elliot as rival for her affections !;
and, stimulated by the knowledge that Adam
Bell would be able to bestow several thous-
ands upon his daug ghter for dowry, he yet
prosecuted his attentions with unabated as
siGui,y, in despite Of the daughters aver
sion and the coldness of her father Peter
had taken his place at the table, and still by
his side, unoccupied and sacred, appeared
the vacant chair, the chair Of his first born,
wharcon none had sat since his mysterious
death or disappearance.
"Bairns," SAID he, "did name O ye ask
the sailor to come up aud tax a bit O. dinner
wi .us?"
ave were afraid it might lead to quar-
rel with ~&ss Johnson" whispered one of
: the sons.
"EIe is come without asking" replied the
stranger, entering; sand the wind shall blow
from new point if destroy the mirth or
happiness of the company"
: "Ye're stranger, young man" said Pc
ter, "or ye would ken this no meeting O.
mirth makers. But, l assure ye are wei.
come, heartily welcome. Haste yc lassies,"
he added to the servants, "som, O. ye get
chair for tho gentleman"
Gentleman, indeed !" muttered johnson
between his teeth.
: "Never mind about chair, my hearties,"
said the seaman; "this will do " And be-
fore Peter could speak to withhold him, he
had thrown himself carelcssly into the hal
lowed, the venerated twelve-years. .unoocu-
pied chair! The spirit of sacrelige utter
i ing blasphemies from pulpit could not
3 have snIitten congregation of pious wor>
lshippers with deeper horror and consterna-
i tiaa, than did this filling Of the vacant chair
d the Inhabitants Of Marchlaw.
IL nEvcusa mo Sir excnSe p,a Cir ~ eo;d