Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1880-02-12
BONNIE BESSIE.

even amid the shadOwy SOltudes OF the
Highland hills, with delicious woodland
doors and fitful CLEANS of sunshine, and
the tender beauty of bursting bud and
opening flower.
Though the day was drawing to a
close, Bonnie Bessie" still fingered by
the Highland spring, brooding look OF
pain and regret, and half-formed re.
solve, in her great, dusky eyes. Every
one called her "Bonnie Bessie" from
Lady Janet Of Duddlestone Castle, to
Rob, the herds lad, OF Black Linn.
Ine minister himself good, grave
nan, had given her the title when she
first appeared at Black Linn, slim,
slip of a lass, with wild elflocks and
cheeks like carnations.
AS she grew up to maidenhood the
name chung to her=%-BOnnie Bessie, -
they all called her: and rightly enough
for of all Highland lassies who gathered
at the little kirk. Sabbath morning, not
one was half so beautiful and winning
as Bessie. Her young form was as slim
and supple, as tall willow; her voice
was the sweetest when she sang, and the
charm of her soft dark eyes, and the
sweet.smile of her red mouth, were ire
sistible.
Squire Renfrew. of the Red Pass was
desperately in love with Bessie, and
sought to make her his wife, in spite of
difference in rank. The herds at the
Red Pass were the finest and largest in
the neighbOrhOod, and the barn and
storehouses were well filled. He was
a bachelor something over two score
years, and he wanted Bonnie Bessie for
his bride.
eff the lassie thinks she can like me-"
he said addressing Bessie's grandmoth-
er, as he stood under the low brown
rafters of the little Black Linn cottage
crown of his bald head; "if the lassie
thinks she can fancy me, the bargains
made. I'm willing and ready to 60 to
the kirk tomorrow, and if a good, true
husband and some gold and silver will
make her happy she'll be as happy as a
queen at Red Pass"
Bessie listened with wild startled eyes,
burning cheeks and quivering lips.
Her grandmother "auld DIither
Burns" as the neighbors called her,
looked up with eager delight in every
feature of her hard, time worn old face.
Such an offer was more than she had
ever dared to dream of for Bessie.
'The lassie will find no trouble about
ancying the likes O. you Squire Rem
frew," she answered, rubbing her hands
together and nodding her head up and
down. "She will jump at the chance
of making the Red Pass her home and
he willing to walk to the kirk WI you,
h.A,, l.
swer for that"
Bessie held her peace, standing
tall and slim, in sort of stunned 81
lence, until her passion was spent.
well tits DER now, and yell simmer
down and keep quiet mebbe," she said.
Then, still chuckling gleefulIy, eve let
ye have your say, and now III have
mine. We're poor folks, me and YOU.
| found 1t hard to get bread, when [ had
but my own mouth to feed; since / !
have been burdened WI hunger. But
I've borne it all, an done my best, an
always been willing to give you share
o my last crust"
ooh ! but don't ask ME to do this"
pleaded Bessie.
"But | must. You've a chance now
to show your gratitude, and to pay ME
back. When you're mistress at the |
Red Pass | shall have plenty Of good |
victuals and warm seat in the ing!e-
side corner to the end OF my DAYS, and |
no need to lift finger"
'But dearest grandma" began "Bon- |
ME Bessie"
Now, lookee here my lass" inter
lupted the old woman, lifting her bony
finger, and glowering fercely upon
Bessie; of ye are fule enou' to refuse
this good for tim that ends it 'tWixt us
two. You pack out of my house and
ne'er cross the threshold again.
Bessie was silent. The great world, |
beyond Highland peaks, seemed so
dim and far away, and the old home |
scenes were so familiar.
The autumn days drifted on, and |
winter set in. A wild, white, cruel, |
winter, wailing winds, and sudden |
snow storms, rushing across the hills, |
like. white whirl-winds. Aud Mither
Burns fell Ill with rheumatism, and Rob, |
the herds lad, got his arm broken, and
the mich COW sickened and died, and |
Bessie went to bed supperless many a |
night.
The constant drip of water wears
away the solid stone, and the constant
pressure of care, want and entreaty, |
bends the stoutest will. Bessie Welded |
1t last, and one wild night, when Squire
RenfreV came down to Black Linn, she |
suffered him to put ring on her finger. |
The very next day the cottage was
filled with all sorts of comforts; and a
week thereafter fine garments of linen
and wool, and even silk, were being
made up for ''Bonnie Bessie" for in the |
sprlngtime she was to go to the kirk
With Squire Renfrew and be made his
wife,.
The springtime had come, and the
Wedding was close at hand, when, one
evening, just before the cleaning, Bes-
sic went to fill her pitcher, as usual, at
the rocky spring near by. She had ac-
complished her task, had lifted the |
pitcher to her shoulder, and had started |
for the cottage, her white, shapely feet |
twinkGDg prettily below the short pet |
ticoat, as she stepped from stone to
stone IN crossing the little brawliug |
stream, when suddenly she uttered a |
sitting scream, and, struggling to a |
moss covered boulder, sat down and put
the pitcher on the ground beside her, |
pressing her hand on her heart and !
trembling all over.
Its his ghaist, it's his ghaist," she |
cried, land oh, how sair he did look at |
me!n
Whatever she had seen or fancied she
had seen, there was nothing in sight
when she next looked up, however: