San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-01-06

deSlrOuS TO narraUe
them faithfully. | 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; 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 Durrisdeer, served him and loved him
near twenty years, and thought more of him
the more | knew of him. Altogether, think
it not fit that so much evidence should per-
ish; the truth is debt owe my lords men,
DRY, and 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
were a strong family in the southwest from
the days of David |. A rhyme still current in
the country side:
Kittle folk are the DurriSdeers,
They ride wi over mony spears
bears the mark of its antiquity; and the name
appears in another, which common report
attributes to Thomas of Ercildoune himself
[ cannot say how truly, and which some
have applied dare not say with how much
justice-to the events of this narration:
iva Duries in Durrsdeer
Ane to tie and ane to ride,
An i'll day for the groom
And q waur day for the bride.
Authentic history besides is filled with their
exploits, which Ito our modern eyes seem not
very 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 l pass over, to come to
that memorable year 1745, 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 prematurely from the disabil-
tiles of age; his place was at the chimney
side. There he sat reading, in a 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 nourished
with study, and raputed in the country to be
more cunning than he seemed. The Master
of Ballantrae 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
lasscs," and was ever in the front of broilS.
But for all he was the first to go in, yet it was
observed he was invariably the best to come
off, and his partners in mischief were usu-
ally alone to pay the piper. This luck or
dexterity got him several ill 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. If it was true it was~a hOrrid fact in
one so young, and if false it was horrid cal.
umny. | think it notable that he had always
vaunted himself quite implacable, and was
taken at his word: so that he had the addi-
ton among his ueighbors of IAN ill man to
cross" Here was altogether a young noble
man mot yet "a in the year '45) who had
made figure in the country beyond his time
OF life The less marvel if there were little
heard of the second son, Mr.. Henry my late
Lord Durrisdeer), who was neither very bad
nor yet very able, but an honest, solid sort Of
lad like many of his neighbors. Little heard,
| say; but indeed it was a case of little spo-
fishers in the firth, for that was a sport that
he aSsiduously followed; he was an excellent
good horse doctor BESIDES and took a 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 man may there acquire the repu-
tation of a tyrant and a miSer. The fourth
person in the house was Miss Alison Graeme,
a near kinswoman, an orphan, and the heir
to a considerable fortune which her father
had acquired i'll 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 a comedy girl, and i'll 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 agree often) was for this
once of her opinion. The adventure tempted
him, as | conceive; he was tempted by the
opportunity to raise the fortunes of the
house and not less by the hope of paying OF
his private liabilities, which were heavy be-
yond all opinion. As for Mr. Henry, it APP
pears he said little enough at first; his part
came later on. 1t took the three a whole
davis disDutatiOD before they agreed 10 steer.