The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1888-05-03

peculiar situation, "I have hazarded my
life both for the House of Stuart and
the House of Hanover, and do not see
that 1 am a great gamer by it."
Flora Macdonald was the mother of
five sons and two daughters. She re-
tained much of her beauty and all of
her lovliness of character and dignity
until the last. She was always modest,
always kind, always sweet and benevo-
lent in disposition. She died early in
March,. 1870, and was buried in the
cemetery at Kilmuir, in the Isle of Skye.
Her shroud, as she had requested long
before her death, was made of the sheets
on which the Young Pretender, whom
she helped to escape to France, reposed
at the house of her kinsman, the Laird
of Kingsburgh, on the night before he
sailed for the continent. Two years
later the remains OF her husband were
laid by her side. Their resting place
was covered with greensward for eighty
years. In 1871 a beautiful monument
was erected over them.
"When the news of Flora Macdonald's
death came to the Barbecue congrega-
tion," said Mrs. Mel, "a solemn
funeral service was held in the church
when the Rev. DR.. Hall preached a SER
mon."
The venerable lady attempted to tell
the story OF Flora's exploit which made
her famous, but her narrative was SO
mixed and meager that it was unsatis-
factory. I will endeavor to give the
narrative as concisely and clearly as pos
sible from the best authorities, prefacing
the story with the remark that 1
regard my personal interview with one
who had conversed with the heroine as
memorable privilege. gratefully
pressed the hand of the old lady when
I bade her good-by.
The "Young Pretender," as Prince
Charles Edward Stuart, grandson Of
James II OF England, was called, had
landed in Scotland to attempt the re-
covery of the British throne, from which
his grandfather had been driven nearly
sixty years before. He drew hosts of
adherents around him. He fought bat
ties with the English, but was finally
beaten at Culloden. His followers were
dispersed and he was for five months a
fugitive, hunted from mountain and
glen, from crag to cave, among the
highlands of Scotland. He at length
found hiding place on the Isle OF .Uist,
one of the Hebrides, and a friend in
Laird Macdonald.
To the house OF this Laird came his
young kinswoman, Flora, in June, 1746,
beautiful and romantic girl, fresh from
school'at Edinburg, to visit her relatives.
The island was swarming with soldiers
in search of the Prince, at the head of
whom was Flora's stepfather. The fugi.
tive could not much longer elude his
puisuers. Lady Macdonald had con.
ceived plan for his escape, but found
no assistant willing to brave the conse-
quences. Flora heard the plan and be-
came deeply interested. She had seen
the Prince when he and his followers
rode into Edinburg.
"Wili you undertake 10 assist the
Prince, Flora ?" asked Lady Macdonald.
81 WILL" was the prompt reply.
She was joined in the perilous enter
prise by young kinsman, Neill Mac
donald. Flora obtained from her step
father passport from the island, with
Neill and three others as boats crew,
and Betsy Burke, stout Irish woman,
whom she pretended to have engaged as
a seamstress for her mother in the Isle OF
Skye.
Betsy Burke was the Prince in disguise.
On bright afternoon the little party
embarked from Uist. A terrific storm
burst upon them that night, but they
reached Skye in safety the next morn
ing. Confronted by soldiers ON shore,
they rowed eastward and landed near
the.home OF Sir Alexander Macdonald.
Leaving the Prince among the rocks,
Flora told her secret to Lady Macdon-
aid, who entertained them all for the
night.
On the following morning Flora &C
companied the Prince to Portree. She
had conducted him as her servant
through crowds Of soldiers and people
who were eagerly seeking him, for re.
ward of $3.50, 1000 had been offered for
his arrest. A small vessel was at Por.
tree ready to convey the fugitive oui
upon the free ocean and to the friendly
coast Of France. She bade him adieu
The Prince kissed her and said,
"Gentle, faithful maiden, / entertain
the hope that We shall yet meet in the
royal palace"
They never met again. Neill Macdon
aid accompanied the Prince to France
where he married and ,,ettled at San
cerre. the place of long residence O
some OF the Clan Macdonald who 20
sompanied King james "a. the continent
His soa. born thsrs t9sr yeau belosl
ths bisth Of Napolsoa Boqap6sle, -
4 #.