Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1888-11-07

sOutnern cOuntles OF scotland. The river
Teviot, along its entire course, embraces
series OF extremely picturesque scenes.
Here and there, along its banks, are the
ruins OF old castles and towers whose
gray, w!eather-beaten walls tower high
above the surrounding landscape like
grim sentineis keeping silent watch over
the rippling waters below.
Like the good Knight Sir William of
Doleraine in Sir Walter Scott's poem
"The Lay of the Last Minstrel" shall
start from Branscholm Tower, an ancient
border stronghold, situated on the left
bank of the Tevio:, about three miles
above the busy little town OF Hawick,
county Roschburgh. Branscholm dates
many centuries back. and opens u wide
field of interesting matter for the lover of
ancient lore, upon which. however. shall
do no more than merely bestow a passing
glance. This stronghold is only one out
of many such buildings with which this
old border-land is thickly studded. Though
of little practical value ay habitable dwell
ings, yet, to the antiquary they are of
priceless worth, and serve as landmarks
OF fierce struggles for that freedom of which
every Scotcbman isjustly proud. Century
after century this land was one huge gar
rso0, h'r fertile plains overrun with for
eign soldiery, and her population subject
ed to the most hagrant indignities that
perhaps has ever fallen to the lot of any
nation. The Scottish military force.was
small as compared with that of their
English oppressors, but our brave fore
fathers maintained the unequal strife
with such rpsolute and nndaunted
hearts, that, at length. after tremendous
bloodshed, which-so to spea Flowed
IN one continuous stream during these
many centuries, that independence was
secured and duly ratified bv treaty; a
precious boon so deeply cherisl ed n the
hearts OF every Scotchman, in whatever
country be is found, and under whatever
circumstances he is placed. Il is no mat
ter of surprise, then, that this 81 tower of
Branscholm shouldclaim sperill share of
of attention in my ramble along Teviot's
side. Its old walls, strong and thick,
measuring some 9 feet, bave often re-.
sounded to the clash of arms and the
hoarse shouts of the combatants till the
maddening fray spent itself in dying
groans Of vanquished hearts.
Sir Walter Scott gives graphic picture
of what Branseholm was in olien times:
.'Nine-and- twenty knights of fame
Hung their shields in Branschom Hall:
Nine and-tWenty squlres of name
Brought them their steeds to bower from stall:
Nine d-twenty yeomen tall
Waited duteous on them all,
They were all Knights of metal true
Klnsmen to the bold Baccleuch
Ten of them were sheathed with steel
With lettered sward and spar on heel:
They quilted not their harness bright
Neither by day nor yet by night:
They lay down to rest,
With corslet laced.
Followed on buckler cold and hard
They carved at the meal
With gloves of steel,
And they drank the red wine through
helmet barred.
Zen squlres. ten yeOmen. mai-clad men,
Waited the beck of the warders ten:
Thirty steeds both fleet and wight
Stood saddled in stable day and night,
Barbed with frontlet of steel. l trow,
And with jed-WOOd axe at saddle bow;
A hundred mere fed free in stall;
Such was the custom at BrlSchOlm Hall
That is picture of BranschoIm twoor
three hundred years ago. How very diff
ferent in the present century as the same
author puts it:
"Sweet Teviot, on thy silver tide
The glazing bale-fre blaze no more;
No longer steel-clad warrior ride
Along thy wild and widowed shore:
Where'er thou wouldst, by dale or hill
All, all is peaceful, all is still,
AS If thy waves, since time was born
Since first they rolled upon the Tweed
Had only heard the Shepherds reed,
Nor startled at the bugle-horn"
Leaving Bronscholm and walking
about a mile further down close by the
stream, come to Goldilands Tower, an
other old border stronghold and one
which some of my readers may have seen
in their early days. Il toccupies promi-
nent position on rising ground of con-
siderable height on the right bank of, and
overlooking, the stream, and commanding
a magnificent prospect of the surrounding
country for many miles in all directions.
Tnis must have been place of great ad-
vantage to those border warriors who had
to keep constant guard against the ap-
proach of the euemy. This tower of
Golderlands IS uninhabited and quite in
ruins, though the walls are high and also
of great thickness. 1t is roofless, the top
of the walls unven and crumbling, are
growing green with a soft grassy cover
ing, and yet it is matter for surprise
that the merciless storms of so many GEN.
turies have left even wreck behind An
excellent view of this ruin is obtained
FROM the main road, about mile distant,
in the direction of Hawick. Walking
from thence up the river, at sharp turn
of the road, the grey walls suddenly
dart into view and stand out in bold re-
lief against background of clear blue
sky. Proceeding downwards for con.
siderable distance, the Teviot rolls it's
silvery course in close proximity to the
road. Its rippIing waters, over some
what rocky bed, form a never-ceasing
chorus of gushing sands, ever and anon
breaking forth in wild and discordant
notes.
"Is it the roar Of the Teviots tide.
That chafes against the Scaur's red side?
Is 1t the wind that swings tie oaks?
Is 1t the echo from the rocks?
What may 1t be, the heavy sound,
That mOans old BranschOlms turrets round.s
SOJOuRNER.
Attention.
Henry Bertram's boot and shoe store ON
Second street, is now eapplied with as
/ l..