Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-01-29
NO. 25.
Gales ano Sketthes.
BONNIE BESSIE.

| ii was q spring day. sweet and bright.
even smid the sha.owy solitudes on the
highland hills. with delicious woodland
cd 'rs, and ii: III CLEANS of sunshine, and
the tender beauty Of bursting bud and
opening flowers.
Though the day was drawing to close.
Bonnie Bessie" still fingered by the high
land spring Il brooding look Of pain and
regret. and half-formed resolve. 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. The minister himself, a
good, grave man. had given her the title
when she first appeared at Black Linn, n
slim slip of a lass with wild eli laces and
cheeks like carnations.
As she grew up to maidenhood the name
clung Ia her. bonnie Bessie" they all
called her, and rightly enough for. Of all
the highland lassics 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.
and graceful 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 was irresistible.
Squire Renfew, of the Red Pass. was
desperately inlove with Bessie, and sought
In make Ter his wife. in spite of the differ
cnce in rank. The herds at the Red Pass
were the finest and largest in the neighbor-
hood and the barns and storehouses were
always well filled. He was bachelor.
so nething over two score years. and he
wanted "Bonnic Bessie for bride
''lt the lassie thinks she can like me-
he said addressing Bess'e's giandm Other,
rs he stood under the low brown rafters
of the little Black Linn cottage. hot flush
mounted to the shining crown of his bald
head: "lf the lassie thinks she can fancy
me. the bargains made. I'm willing and
ready to go to the kirk tomorrow and if
n good. true husband and some e I'D and
silver will make her happy, she'll be rs
happy as queen at Red Pass"
Bessie listened with wide. startled eyes.
burning cheeks and quivering lips.
Her grandmother "auld Mithcr Burns"
rs the ncighhors called her. looked up.
with eager delight in every feature Of her
hand. time-worn old face. Such an offer
was more than she had ever dared to dream
of for Bessie.
The lass will find no trouble abont
f;,ncying the likes o yon. Squire Rem
irew.' 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 be
willing to walk to the kirk wi YOU when-
ever you speak the word. III answer for
that
Bessie held her peace. standing. tall and
slim. in sort of stunned silence, until
her passion was spent.
"Well. It's DER now, and veil simmer
down and keep quiet. mebbc," she said.
Then. still chuckling gleefnlly. "1'll let
We have your say. and now III have mine
We're a poor folk. me and you found
it hard to get bread when had my own
mouth to feed. and. and. since, I've been
hardened wi hunger. But I've borne il
all. an done my best. an always been
willing TO give you share o. my last
crust
"Oh. but don't ask me to do this"
pleaded Bessie
But must. You've chance now to
show Your gratitude and to pay me back
| When you're mistress of Red Pass I
shall have good vctuals and a warm seat
in the singleside corner to the end of nv
davs. and no need to lift single finger.''
"6nt. dearest grandma" began Bonnie
Bessie"
Now. look here. my lass, - interrupted
the old woman. lifting her bony finger and
gloweriug iicrcely upon Bessie, ..if We
are a iule enou' to refuse this good fortin'
that ends it 'twixt us two. You pack out
o my house. and er cross the tbresh.
hold again"
| Bessie was silent. The great world be-
yond the highland peaks seemed 80 dim
and far away and the old home scenes
were so familiar.
The autumn davs drifted on, and winter
act ina wild. white. cruel, highland win
ter. Leaden skies. and lonesome, rushing
across the hills like white whirlwinds.
Auld Mither Burns fell i'll with rheuma-
tism. and Rob. the herds lad, got his arm
broken. and the milch COW sickened and
died. and Bessie went to bed supperless
many night.
The constant drip of water wears away
the solid stone. and the constant pressure
of care and want and entreaty bends the
stoutest will. Bessie Yielded at last. and
on one wild night, when Squire Renfrew
came down to Black Linn, she suffered
him to put a ring on her finger.
The very next day the cottage was fill
ell with all sorts of comforts: and a week
thereafter fine garments ofliDen and wool
and even silk. were being made up for
Bonnie Bessie for in the springtime
she was to go to the kirk with .Snuire
Renfrew and he made his wife,
The springtimc had come, and the we'd
ding day was close at hand. when. one
evening. just before the cleaning. Bessie
went to fill her pitcher. as usual, at the
rocky spring near by. She had accom-
plished her task. had lifted the pitcher to
her shoulder. and had started for the cot.
tage. her white. shapely feet twinklins
prettily below the short petticoat, as she
stepped from stone to stone in crossing
the little brawling stream, staggering {"
4 moss covered bowlder. she sat down and
put the pitcher on the ground beside her,
pressing her hand on her heart, and trem.
bling all over. 9a
''It's his ghaist. it's his ghaist," she
cried, ''and oh, how sair he did look at
mer'
| Whatever she had seen or fancied she
had seen, there was nothing in sight when
she next looked mp, however: nothing