The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1881-01-27
Select Storm.
GRIZEL COCHRANE.

When the tyrany of the last King
James drove his subjects to take up arms
against him, one of the most formida.
BILE enemies against his dangerous usurp.
ton was Sir John Cochrane, one Of the
most prominent actors in Argyle's rebl-
lion, For ages destructive doom SEEM
ed to have hung over the house of Camp
bell, enveloping in a common ruin all
who united their fortunes with the cause
Of its Chleftains. The same doom en-.
compassed Sir John Cochrane. He was
surrounded by the Kings troops. Long,
deadly and desperate was his resist
ance, but at length overpowered by
numbers, he was taken prisoner, tried,
and condemned to die upon the scafold.
He had but few days to live, and his
jailer only waited the arrival of his
death.warrant to lead him forth to exc.
Cution. His family and his friends had
visited him in prison. and exchanged
with him the last, the long, the 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 his house-even Grizel, the
daughter of his love.
Twilight was casting deeper gloom
over the gratings Of his prison.house.
He was mourning for a last look of his
favorite child, and his head was pressed
against the cold, damp wall of his cell, to
cool the feVerish pulsations that shot
through it like stings of fire, when the
door of his apartments swung slowly
open on its unwilling hinges, and his
keeper entered, followed by young and
beautiful lady. Her person was tall and
commanding; her eyes dark, bright, and
fearless: but their very brightness spoke
ofsorrow-of sorrow too deep to be wept
away-and her raven tresses were parted
over an open brow, clear and pure as the
polished marble. The unhappy captive
raised his head as they entered.
my child my own Grizell' he ex.
claimed, as she fell upon his bosom.
my father my dear father |" sobbed
the miserable maiden, as she dashed
away the tears that accompanied the
words.
Your interview must be short-very
short said the jailer, as he turned and
left them for few minutes together.
Heaven help and comfort thee, my
daughter 7 added Sir John while he held
her to his breast, and imprinted a kiss
upon her brow; 4 had feared that
should die without bestowing my bless.
ing on the head of my own child, and
that stuDg me more than death; but thou
art come, my love-thou art Comel-and
tie last blessing of thy wretched faith.
err
Nay, father forbesrl,' she exclaimed
not thy last blessingl not thy last My
father shall not diep
BE calm, be calm, my Childp returned
heo Would to heaven that could com.
fort thee!-my OWL my ownl 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 daysP repeated she, raising her
head from his breast, but eagerly press.
ing his hand three daysl-then there ia
hope-my father shall live Is not my
grandfather the friend of Father Petre,
the Confessor and master of the King
From him he shall beg the life of his
son, and my father shall not die
Nay, nay, my Grizel,' returned he, be
not deceived there is no hope. Already
my doom is sealed; already the King
has sealed the order for my death, and
the messenger of death is on the way
Yet my father shall not-shall not
dieP she repeated emphatically, and
Clasped her hands together. Heaven
speed a daughters purposeP she exclaim.
ed; aad turning to her father. said calm
ly, we must part now, but we shall meet
againP
What would my child2' inquired he,
eagerly, and gazing anxiously on her
face.
Ask not now,' she replied, my father,
ask not now, but pray for me, and bless
me-but not with thy last blessing
He again pressed her to his heart, and
wept on her neck, In few moments
the jailer entered and they were torn
from the arms of each other.