Daily Republican., 1880-01-23
BONNIE BESSIE.

1t was a spring day, sweet and brlgi
even amid the shadowy solitudes o
the highland hills, with the deliciou
woodland odors, and ftful CLEANS (
sunshine, and the tender beauties {
bursting bud and opening flowers.
| Though the day was drawing to
close "Bonnie B ,ssie" still fingered b.
the highland spring, brooding look G
pain and regret, and half-formed re
solve, in her great dusky eyes. Ever.
one called her "Bonnie Bessie" fron
Lady Janet, Of Duddlestons Castle, t
Rob, the herds lad, OF Black Lion. TIL
minister himself, good, brave man
had given her the title, when she frs
appeared at Black Linn, slim, slip o
lass, with wild elf.locks and cheeks
like carnations.
As she grew up to wOmanhood th'
name clung to her. "Bonnie Bessie
they all called her, and rightly enough
for Of all the highland lassies wht
gathered at the little kirk, Sabbath
morning, not one was half so beautifu
and winning as Bessie. Her form wa.
slim and supple, and as graceful as 4
tall willow her voice was the sweetest
when she sang, and the charm of heI
soft, dark eyes, and the smile Of hel
r mouth was irresistible.
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 al
the Red Pass we're the finest and larg-
est IN the neighborhood, and the barns
and storehouses were always well filed.
tie was a bachelor, something over two
score years, and he wanted "BJnnie
Bessie" for his bride.
II the lassie thinks she can like me-"
he said,' addressing Bessie's grand
mother, as he stood under the low
brown rafters of the little Black Linn
cottage, hot flush mounted to the
shining crown of his bald head; elf the
lasse thinks she can fancy me, the
bargains made. I'm willing and ready
to go 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 wide, startled
eyes, bHcning cheeks and quivering
lips.
Her grandmother, "auld Mither
Burns" as the neighbors called her,
lc )ked up, with great delight in every
feature of her hard, time-worn old
face. Such ali offer was more than
she had ever dared to dream of for Bes-
sic.
"Thelassie will find no trouble about
fancying 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 be willing to walk 10 the
kirk wi you, whenever you speak the
word. I'll answer for that"
Bessie held her peace, standing
tall and slim, in sort Of stunned 81
lence, until her passion was spent.
"Well, tits o'er now, and ye'll sim
mer down, and keep quiet mebbe."
she said. Then, still chuckling glee-
fully. "I've let ye have your say, and
now I'll have mine. We're poor folk,
ne and you. | found it hard to get
bread, when | had but my own mouth
% feed and, since I've been burdened
vi hunger. But I've borne 1t all, an
lone my best, an always been willing
o 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
o show your gratitude, aud to pay me
1ack. When you're mistress at the
Ted Pass, shall have plenty of good
'ictuals, and a warm seat in the ingle-
ide corner to the end of my days, and
10 need to lift finger"
"But, dearest grandma" began
Bonnie Bessie"
"Now, lookee here, my lass," inter-
upted the old woman, lifting her bony
niger, and glowering fercely upon Bes-
lie; "if ye are fule enow' to refuse this
ood fortin', that ends 1t 'twixt us two.
'ou pack out of my house, and ne'er
ross its threshheld again"
Bessie was silent. The great world
eyopd the highland peaks, seemed so
i'm and far away, and the old home
Genes were so familiar.
The autumn days drifted on, and
inter set in. A wild, white, cruel,
ighland winter. Lsaden skies, aud {
,nesome, wailing winds, and sudden
now storms, rushing across the hills
Ike white whirlw.nds. And Mither ,
urns fell ill with Rheumatism, and .
OBJ, the herds lad, got his arm broken {
nd the milch COW sickened and died, 1
nd Bessie went to bed supperless many 1
night. Q
The constant drip of water wears G
way the solid stone, and the constant
ressure of care, and want, and en- t
eaty, bends the stoutest will. Bessie 9
ielded at last. and on one wild night, 4
hen Squire Renfrew came down to G
lack Linn, she suffered him to put q
ng on her nnger.
The very next day the cottage was a
led with all sorts Of comforts and q b
eek thersfrom fine garments OF linen, 8
I'd wool, and even silk, we're being r
ade up for "Bonnis Bessie" for in
10 spring-tims she was to go 10 the "
rk with Squire Renfrew and be made t
10 wife.
Tha anrin9- time had emma and thal