The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-12-01

many tales nave Eoae aot oNt' INV
there a, the mans death. As for my late
Lord Durrisdeer, I served him and loyed MIN
near twenty years, and thought more OF MN
the more knew Of him. Altogether think
IL not nc that 50 much evidence should per
ish: the truth Is a debt owe my lords mem
ory. and think my old years will flow moro
smoothly and my white hair llequieter on tho
pillow when the debt is paid
The Duries OF Durrisdeer and Ballantrae
were n strong family in the southwest from
the DAYS OF David l. A rhyme still currenti In
the country side;
Kittle folk are the Durrisdeerh -
They ride wi over mony spears
bears the mark OF its antiquity and the name
appears in another, which common report
attributes 10 Thomas Of Ercildoune himself
/ cannot say how truly, and which SONS
hayo applied-I dare not say with how much
tus.ics-to the events Of this narration:
iva Dures in Durrisdeer.
Ane 70 tie and ane % ride
An IN day for the groom
And a waur day for the bride
Authentic history besides is filed with their
EXHIBITS. which 60 our modern eyes seem not
yerr commendable. 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 l7ij, when tho founda-
tions Of this tragedy were land.
AT that time there dwelt family OF four
nersons in the house Of Durrisdeer, near 1T
Brides. on the Solway shore-a chief hold OF
their race since tho Reformation. Ny old
lord. eighth of the name. was not old In years
but he suffered prematurely from the dsabil-
ities Of age. his place was at the chimney
side. There he sat reading, In line1 gown,
with few words for any man and wry words
for none, the model OF an old retired house
keeper. aud get his mind very well nourished
with study and reputed in the country TO DO
more cunning than he seemed The Master
OF Balantrae, James in baptism, took from
his father tho love OF serious reading; some
of his tact perhaps rs well, but that which
was only policy in the father became black
DISSEMINATION in the son. The face OF his be
havior was merely popular and wild he cat
late at wine, later at the cards, had the nsmo
in the country Of ian unco man for the
lasses,r and was ever in the front Of brolls
But for all no was the first to go In, yet II was
observed no was invariably the best to come
of, and his partners in mischief were usu-
ally alone To pay the piper. This luck or
dexterity got him several III wiShers, but
with the rest OF the country enhanced his
reputation. 80 that great things were looked
for in his future, when ho should have gained
more gravity One very black mark he mad
70 his name but the matter was hushed up at
the time, and so defaced 10y legends before j
came into those parts that | scruple 70 set IL
down. II il was true it was horrid fact in
ono so young, and II falls IL was horrid cal
umny. think IL notable that he had always
vaunted himself quite implacable, and was
taken at his word, so that he had the add
ton among his neighbors OF ian III man 20
cross" Here was altogether young noble
man mot yet % In tho year 40 who had
made figure in the country beyond his time
OF life. The less marvel II there were little
heard Of fhe second son. Mr.. Henry my late
lord Durrsdeerl, who was neither very bad
nor yet very able, but an honest, solid sort OF
lad like many OF his neighbors Little heard,
j say; but indeed it was a case Of little spo
ken. Ilo was known among the salmon
fishers in the firth, for that was sport that
he asiduously followed, he was an excellent
good horss doctor besides. and took chief
hand, almost from a boy, in the management
OF the estates. How hard a part that was, In
the situation Of that family, none knows bet
ter than myself. nor yet with how little color
OF Justice a man may there acquire the repu.
tation Of a tyrant and miser. Tho fourth
person in the house was Miss Alison Graeme,
a near kinswoman, an orphan, and the heir
TO q considerable fortune which her father
81
loudly called for by my lords necessities; in
decd tho land was deeply mortgaged, and
Miss Alison was designed accordingly TO be
the masters wife, gladly enough on her side,
with how much good viii on his ia another
matter She was a comely girl, and in those
DAYS very spirited aud self willed; for the
old lord having no daughter o; his own, aud
my lady being long dead, she had grown ny
as best she might
To these four came the news OF Prince
Charles landing, and set them presently by
the ears. My lord, like tho chimney keeper
that he was, was all for temporizing. Miss
Alison held the other side because 1t appeared
romantical; and the master Though have
heard they did not agree oftcn was for this
once OF her opinion. Tue adventure tempted
him, as conceive; he was tempted by the
opportunity 20 raise tho fortunes Of the
house, and not less by the hops Of paying of
his private liabilities, which were heavy be
yond all opinion. As for Mr. Henry, it ep
pears he said little enough a; first; his part
came later on. IL took tho three IA whole
DAYS disputation before they agreed to steer
a middle course, ono son sOlng forth 70 strike
a blow for King Jam :, my lord, and the
other staying at home & keep In favor with
King George DDubtlea, this was my lords
decision; and, as Is well known, il was the
r.rt played by many considerable families
But tho one dispute settled. another opened
For my Lord, Miss Alison and Mr. Henry all
held tho one view: that II was the cadets
mart 70 co out and the master. what with
restlessneSs and vanity, would at no rate con.
ssnt to stay at home Ny lord pleaded Miss
Alison wept, Mr. Henry was very plain spo
ken; all was OF no avail
at is tho direct her Of Darrlslecr that
should ride by his kings Bride" says the
master.
III we were playing n manly part says
Mr.. Henry, there might be sense in such
talk. But what are We doingi Cheating ct
carisis
'1ye are saving mo house or Durrisdeer,
Scnry," his father said.
"And see, James," said Mr.. Henry. "if ]
60. and the prince has the upper hand, II will
10 easy 10 make your peace with King
James But II you 10, and tho expedition
fails. we divide the right and the title And
what shall be thenf"
"You will be Lord Durristecr," said the
master 81 put all have upon the table"
II play at no such gause. cries Mr. Henry
IL shall 10 left In such situation as no man
OF sense and honor could endure shall he
neither fish nor flesh. a" he cried And a little
after be had another expression. palmer per
haps than be intended 1T is your duty TO
be here with my father" said he "You |
know well enough you are the favorite."
"Ay." said the master And there spoke
Envyi Would you tripup my heels-Jacobf |
said he. and dwelled upon the name mali
cionsly.
Ar Henry went and walked at the low end
Of the hall without reply; for be had IN Ok
osIIsnt gift Of silence. Presently be can,s
bsak. 80. ]