The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-12-01
PART Nv.

Their came Col. Douglas, and, as was
usual with him, his orders were swift
and stern.
How now!" he said, whats this?
Take away the lass-we cannot shoot
women. Let her be going TO her own
folk--we cannot have such with the
troops. And bring the preacher TO the
tolbooth of Dumfries. He can be shot
In the morning. But for the sake OF
tho five hundred marks on the head
of him, we must give him a trial and get
the due certificate for his death"
So they gave Isobel Weir leave to go.
and, setting Robert into the midst of
the company on masterless horse. we
lode into Dumfries. Douglas STAYED be-
hind to direct that the wounded of his
troops should be well cared for in the
neighboring farm towns, and to leave
visiting guard to see that they were
kindly treated by the country people,
who had indeed small reason TO love us.
And as we rode on behind my brother,
1had time to bethink me. The words of
Isobel Weir pressed hard upon me-hard
er, as / think, than even the sight of
John Vernon, whom / had seen lying
dead on the moss. For never greatly
loved my father and there is, so far as
j have seen, no great instinct of affec-
tion in that relationship. For find that
as many sons hate their fathers as in
ordinately love them, while most are
wholly Indifferent as to the matter.
But whenever rode within earshot
of the preacher, he was crying blood
and vengeance on my head, till the
lads of the escort fell to the laughing.
"Come nearer, Pat" they called, when
we were out of hearing of the COM
mander; she has just taken new text
and is expounding your iniquities under
the head of filthy"
But God knows it was no such laugh
ing matter to me. For all the months
and years of recklessness and all the
riding and killing came back salt and
bitter on me. And MY anger and es-
arrangement at them of Irongray melted
away. minded only the early days and
the still Sabbath morns of the old house
my mother sitting smelling at spray
of southernwood, and my father stand
ing by her with his Bible under his arm,
both of them waiting to take me by the
hand and go our why's down the green
loan, under the lilac bushes of the
spring, TO the kirk Of Irongray.
"Ah, God!" / cried in my misery,
skeep any other poor soul from SO go
ing against his folk. For me there is,
] know, no forgiveness. But let none
other in blind pride of heart drive devil
ward as have done. 1t is true-true
what the lad Robert says-my fathers
blood is on my head!"
So in this blank despair we came to
the prison, and the commander directed
the jailer to put Robert in the thieves
hole for safety, and not into the general
room, wherein debtors, ordinary sor-
ners and all the scourings of south-
country rsscaldom were put
It was late in the afternoon. and as
soon as Col Douglas had supped he went
over to call upon his crony, Robert
Grier, Of Lag, who abode mostly by the
White Horse, at the foot of the vennel;
and having sent for the Provost of the
town and also for a guard to bring the
prisoner, they proceeded to try Robert
Vernon. IL was n simple form. for the
lad had gotten some iron in his blood
over in Holland, and denied nothing.
He owned that he had been preaching
the doctrine of resistance. He would |
have none OF the Test He owned not |
His Majesty King Charles. The Duke
was the devil incarnate: in each of his |
first half dozen statements there was |
enough to hang a parish.
1T is well said," cried Douglas; "you |
are manful laddie, and come, hear.
'of good blood. Thou shalt have the
estate, Robin Grier," he said. turning
TO lag: 1T Ties contiguous 70 your |,
own properties and policies-for the old |
man, Vernon, is killed in the skirmish."
But at this stepped forward and sa-
luted.
May it please your excellencies,"
said ], II have ever been faithful SOL
der of his majesty's. Ihave now served
with the colors four years with honor
as private of his majesty's dragons.
i am the eldest son OF Vernon, of Iron
groy. There is surely no reason why
his estates should be forfeit, or that
my patrimony should be taken away
arom me-"