Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-05-03
Gales arto Sketfbts.
GRIiEl CeCaRAyE.

When the tyranny of the last King
James drove his subjects to take up arms
against him, one of the most formidable
enemies to his dangerous usurpations was
Sir John Cochrane, one of the most promi-
nent actors in Argyle's rebellion. For
ages destructive doom seemed to have
hung over the house Of Campbell, envel-
oping in a common ruin all who united
their fortunes TO the cause OF its chieftains.
The same doom encompassed Sir John
cochrane. He was surrounded by the
Kings troops-long, deadly and desper-
ate was his resistance but at length, over
powered by numbers, he was taken pris-
oner, tried, and condemned to die upon
the scaffold He had but few days to
live. and his jailer only waited the arriv-
al of his death-warrant 10 lead him forth
TO execution. His family and his friends
had visited him in prison. and exchanged
with him the last, long and heart-yearn-
ing 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 4 deeper gloom
over the gratings Of his prison house, he
WIS IUOuTIlIiIk tOT u ldSt iOOh vi HIS 1dsoi
tie 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 ex
claimed. 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.
Heaven help and comfort thee, my
daughter! had feared that should die
without bestowiny 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" re-
turned he. Would to heaven that |
could comfort thee. my own. my own
But there is no hope Within three days.
and thou and all my little ones will be"
Fartherless 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. Al
ready my doom is sealed. and the messen::
senger of death is now on the way"
Yet my dear father shall not-shall
not die" and turning TO her father. said
calmly. 1--WE part now. but we shall meet
againr'
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 second day after
the interview We have mentioned, way
iaring man crossed the drawbridce at
Berwick from the north, and proceeding
along Navigate. sat down to rest upon a
bench at the door of an hosiery on the
south side of the street. nearly fronting
where what was called the 'mainguard'
then stood.
In one hand he carried a small bundle.
and in the other n pilgrims staff. Having
called tor a glass OF wine. he took a crust
oi bread from his bundle. and after rest
ing few moments rose to depart.
Heaven help thee if thou intendest to
travel far in such a night as this" said /!
the sentinel nj the English gate. as the |
traveller passed him and proceeded across !
the bridge.
In few minutes he was upon the wide |
,lesolate and drearv moor of Tweedmouth, |
which for miles presented desert of !
iurze. fern and stuntcd heath. with here
and there dingle covered with thick !
brushwood. Still the stranger pushed on
ward until he had proceeded two or three |
miles from Berwick. when. rs if unable To |
longer brave the storm. he sought shelter !
amid some crab and bramble bushes nv |
the wayside. Nearly an hour had passed |
since he sought this imperfect refuge. and
the darkness of the night and the storm
had increased together. when the sound
of a horses feet was heard hurricdlv pass
ing 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 he
fore him. holding n pistol to his breast
"Dismount,' cried the stranger. stern
~.
The horscman, benumhed and stricken
with fear. made an effort to reach his arms.
but in moment the hand of the robber,
quitting the bride. graspcd the breast of
the rider and dragged him to the grounA
The stranger seized the leathern bag
which contained the mail to the North.
and ilinging il on his shoulder. rushed
across the heath.
Early on the following morning the in
habitants of Berwick were seen hurryiny
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 exc
tuition of Sir John Cochrane. and the Of |
Iicers OF the law waited only for the ar
rival of the mail with his second death |
to lead him forth to the scaffold |
when the tidings arrived that the mail had |
again been robbed.
1T is good--the hand of heaven is in |
his, -
"Said not" replied the maiden. and |
Tor the first time she wept aloud. THAT
my father should not die 90
The fourteen days were not vet past. /
when the prison doors flew open. and the |
Earl of Dunlonald rushed TO the arms Of l