Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1889-12-20

N,ffTLy5 - II V M.IIlaLHiN Ill III le u
Iy9ac = -s stiTsaS2NIE with TIE last years
fSgsgsf 1870 ssfW E.<SSN and history of the
NJ fSStsiii4 ts94sEsNSISSS }house; and there
VIZ n - tyssN\ ~ Idoes not live one
WIKI ~ VIM ~ man so able as my
FESS IN self to make these
( matters plain, or SO
DESTROYS to narTate
them faithfully. l knew the master; on
many secret steps of his career have an au-
thentic memoir in my hand. | sailed with
him on his last voyage almost alone; l made
one upon that winters journey Of which so
many tales have gone abroad, and l was
there at the mans death As for my late
Lord Durrisdecr, served him and loved him
near twenty years, and thought more OF nm
the more knew of him. Altogether think
it not fit that SO much evidence should per-
ish; the truth is a debt l owe my lords menu
Dry, and l think my old years will flow more
smoothly and my white hair lie quieter on the
pillow when the debt is paid.
The Duries of Durrisdeer and Ballantrae
We're a strong family in the southwest from
the days of David l. a rhyme still currentin
the country side:
Kittle folk the DurrisdeHrs,
They ride wi over mopy s'sIrS-
bears the mark of its antiquity and the name
attributes to Thomas Of Ercildoune himself
l cannot say how truly, and which some
have applied-I dare not say with how much
justice--to the events Of this narration:
iva Du,es in Durrisdeer,
Ane to tie and ane TO ride,
An i'll day for the groom
And waur day for the bride.
Authentic history besides is filled with their
exploits, which Ito our modern eyes seem not
very commcndable; and the family suffered
its full share of those ups and downs to which
the great houses of Scotland have been ever
liable. But all these | pass over to come to
that memorable year l145, when the founda-
tons of this tragedy were laid.
At that time there dwelt family of four
persons in the house of Durrisdeer, near St.
Brides, on the Solway shore-a chief hold of
their race since the Reformation. My old
lord, eighth of the name, was not old In years,
but he suffered prenaturely from the disabil-
tiles of age; his place was at the chimney
side. There he sat reading, in lined gown,
with few words for any man and wry words
for none, the model of an old retired house
keeper; and yet his mind very well nourshed
with study, and reputed in the country to be
more cunning than he seemed. The Master
of Balantrae James in baptism, took from
his father the love OF serious reading; some
OF his tact perhaps as well, but that which
was only policy in the father became black
assimilation in the son. The face of his be-
havior was merely popular and wild: he sat
late at wine, later at the cards; had the name
In the country of IAN unco man for the
lasses," and was ever in the front of broils.
But for all he was tho first to go in, yet it was
observed he was invariably the best to come
off, and his partners in mischief were usll-
ally alone to pay the piper. This luck or
dexterity got him several i'll wishers, but
with the rest of the country enhanced his
reputation, so that great things were looked
for in his future, when he should have gained
more gravity. One very black mark he had
to his name, but the matter was hushed up at
the time, and so defaced by legends before
came into those parts that / scruple TO set it
down. II it was true it was horrid fact in
pne so young, and If false IL was horrid cal
nanny. l think it notable that he had always
Faunted himself quite implacable, and was
taken at his word; 80 that he had the add
zion among his neighbors Of ian LII man to
cross" Here was altogether a young noble
man mot yet "A in the year 40 who had
made O figure in the country beyond his time
OF life The less marvel if there were little
heard Of tho second son. Mr.. Henry my late
1soad Durrisdeer), who was neither very bad
nor yet very able, but an honest, solid sort Of
Had Ike many Of his neighbors. Little heard,
say; but indeed 1t was a case of little spo-
ken. He was known among the salmon
fshers In the firth, for that was a sport that
he assidu0usly followed; he was an excellent
good horse doctor besides, and took chief
hand, almost from boy, in the management
OF the estates. How hard part that was, in
the situation OF that family, mono knows bet
tor than myself, nor yet with how little color
OF Justice man may there acquire the repu-
tation OF tyrant and q miser Tho fourth
person in the house was Miss Alison Graeme,
near kinswoman, an orphan, and the heir
to a considerable fortune which her father
had acquired in trade. This money was
loudly called for by my lords necessities; in
deed the land was deeply mortgaged, and
Miss Alison was designed accordingly TO be
the masters wife, gladly enough on her side,
with how much good will on his is another
matter She was comely girl, and in those
days very spirited and self willed; for the
Old lord having no daughter of his own, and
my lady being long dead she had grown up
as best she might.
To these four came the news Of Prince
Charles landing, and set them presently by
the ears. My lord, like the chimney keeper
that he was was all for temporizing. Miss
Alison held the other side because it appeared
romantical and the master Though | have
heard they did not ugree often was for this
once of hor opinion. The adventure tempted
him, as | conceive; he was tempted by the
opportunity to raise the fortunes of the
house, and not less by tho hope of paying OFF
his private liabilities, which were heavy be-
gond all opinion. AS for Mr.. Henry it ap-