The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1881-04-28
GRIZEL COCHRANE,

him, one of the most formidable enemies to
his dangerous unsurpation was Sir John
Cochrane, one of the most prominent actors
in Argyles rebellion. For ages destruc-
tive doom seemed to have hung over the
house of Campbell, enveloping in COM
mon ruin all who united their fortunes to
the cause of it's chieftains. The same doom
surrounded by the kings troops--long,
deadly and desperate was his resistance; but
at length, overpowered by numbers, he was
taken prisoner, tried, and condemned to die
upon the scaffold. He had but few days
to live, and his jailer only waited the arri-
val of his death warrant to leadlhim forth to
execution. His family and his friends Wis
tied him in prison, and exchanged with him
the last, long, and heart -yearning farewell.
But there was one who came not with the
rest, to receive his blessing-one who was
the pride of his eyes and Of his house-even
Grizel, the daughter of his love.
Twilight was casting deeper gloom over
the eratings of his prison-house, he was
mourning for last look at his favorite
child, and his head was pressed against the
cold, damp walls of his cell. to cool the
feverish pulsations that shot through it
like stings Of fire, when the door of his
apartment turned slowly on its unwilling
hinges. and his keeper entered, followed by
young and beautiful lady.
''My child! my own Grizel!" he exclaim-
ed, and she fell upon his bosom.
MY father, my dear father!' sobbed the
miserable maiden, and she dashed away the
tear that accompanied the words.
''Your interview must be short-very
short, said the jailer.
daughter. I had feayed that I should die
without bestowing my blessing on the head
of my own child, and that stung me more
than death; but thou art come, my love-
thou art come, my love-thou art come,
my love-and the last blessing of thy
wretched father"
NAY, father, forbear! not thy last bless
ing! not thy last! My father shall not die!"
"Be calm, be calm, my child!' returned
he. "Would to heaven that could COM
fort thee! my own! my own! But there is
no hope. Within three days, and thou and
all my little ones will be-"
Fatherless, he would have said, but the
word died on his tongue.
"Three days." repeated she, raising her
head from his breast; then there is hope
my father shall live!"
''Nay, nay, my Grizel." returned he, "be
not deceived, there is no hope. Already
my doom is sealed, and the messenger of
death is now on the way"
''Yet my dear father shall not-shall not
die!" and turning to her father, said calm
", eve part now, but We shall. meet
again.
"What would my child?'' inquired he.
eagerly, and gazing anxiously on her face.
ASK not now, but pray for me and bless
me-but not with thy last blessing"
On the evening of the interview we have
mentioned, a wayfaring man crossed the
drawbridge at Berwick from the norh, aid
proceeding along Marygate, sat down to
ry on the south side of the street, nearly
fronting where what was called the main
guard then stood.
In one hand he carried a small bundle,
and in the other pilgrims staff. Having
called for glass of wine, he took crust
of bread from his bundle, and after resting
few moments rose to depart.
Heaven help thee if thou intendest to
travel far in such night as this" said the
sentinel at the English gate, as the traveller
passed him and proceeded across the bridge.
In few minutes he was upon the wide,
desolate and dreary moor of Tweedmouth
fern and stunted heath, with here and there
dingle covered with thick brushwood.
Still the stranger pushed onward until he
had proceeded two or three miles from Ber-
wick, when, as if unable longer to brave the
storm, he sought shelter amid some crab
and bramble by the wayside. Nearly an
hour had passed since he sought this I'M
perfect refuge, and the darkness of the
night and the storm had increased together,
when the sound of horses feet was heard
hurriedly passing along the road. The rider
bent his head to the blast. Suddenly his
horse was grasped by the bride; the rider
raised his head and the stranger stood be-
fore him. holding pistol to his breast.
"Dismount!' cried the stranger, sternly.
The horseman benumbed and stricken
with fear, made an effort to reach his arms,
but in moment the hand of the robber,
quitting the bride, grasped the breast of
the rider and dragged him to the ground.
The stranger seized the leathern bag which
contained the mail to the north, and fling
ing it Oh his shoulder, rushed across the
heath.
Early on the following morning the in
habitants of Berwick were seen hurrying in
groups to the spot where the robbery had
been committed, and were scattered in
every direction over the moor, but no trace
of the robber could be obtained.
Preparations were making for the execu-
ton of Sir John Cochrane, and the officers
Of the law waited only for the arrival of the
mail with his second death warrent to lead
him forth to the scatfold, when the tidings
arrived that the mail hadagain been robbed.
1T is good--the hand Of heaven IN this!"
Said not" replied the maiden, and for
che first time she wept aloud, that my
father should not die?"
The fourteen days were not yet past, when
he prison doors flew open, and the Earl of
,1ndonald rushed to the arms of his son.
Lis intercession with the confsssor had
been successful, and after twice signing the
warrant for tine execution of Sir John, which
had SO often failed in reaching it's destina-