The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1899-12-30
THE wARLocK PEAR.
said 70 he the Most Wonderful and
valuable Vegetable Curiosity
IN Existence.

Few families possess an heirloom that
can compare either in rarity or an
tiquity with the Warlock pear OF
Colstoun, which Is, beyond doubt, the
most wonderful vegetable curiosity In
existence and, its authenticity beyond
dispute. Hugo, Lord de Clifford Of
Yester. the magician, lived in the reign
of King Alexander III. Of Scotland.
He presented himself before the king
previous to the battle of Largs, 1858.
and is described by Sir Walter Scott In
"Marmion."
The wizard lord Of Yester gave his
daughter In marriage to scion of the
ancient family Of Hay. ancestor TO the
present marquis Of Tweeddale. As the
bridal party was on its way to the
church the magician plucked pear
from tree hard by and gave It to his
dauehter as her dowry, informing her
that so long as she and her descend
ants preserved It, 30 long should they
prosper. The pear was In consequences
carefully preserved as the precious pal
lndium of the family, whose fortunes.
during the next 800 years, rapidly ad-
vanced, John Hay, in 147s, being raised
TO the peerage of Scotland as Baron
Hay Of Yester. He was succeeded by
bis son John, second baron, who was
succeeded by his son John, third baron.
whose daughter, Jean, was married to
George Broun. laird Of Colstoun, served
heir 1904.
The "warlock pear" which again
played the part Of dowry, thus passed
to her descendants, the Brouns OF
Cslstoun, who derived their pedigree
from the ancient kings Of France, an
origin alluded TO by their armorial
bearings-gules three aeurs de lis, or
In 1886 Patrick Broun, Of Colstoun, was
created baronet OF Nova Scotia and
was succeeded by his son George, SEQ
ond baronet Of Colstoun, In whose time
the pear, hitherto carefully cherished
and which. to all appearance, was as
fresh as when plucked, began, In ao-
cordance with the warning of the en-
chanter, TO exert influence malignant
ly. Sir George was married 10 Lacy
Elizabeth Mackenzie, daughter OF
George. first earl of Cromartie 1.-THE
famous viscount Tarbat of Queen
r Anne's reign), whose armorial bearing
was azure. a hart's head cabossed or
h and she, not content with merely be-
I holding the pear. longed to taste It
. and, as in the case Of remote anees
h tress, the temptation was too strong tc
/ be resisted.
Authorities differ as to whether
= LADY Elizabeth really bit the pea
n or merely dreamed she did. Debrett
: IN his Baronetage, states that sh'
n dreamed she bit It. but the late Sii
n Richard Brown, Bart, author OF Al
q elaborate manuscript history OF tn
h house OF Colstoun, says distinctly tina
" she bit II, and II Is certain that ther
are marks of teeth In the pear, whic
N is now hard as a stone. Whether IN
q bite was real or imaginary, the fac
N remains that almost Immediately III
"A family fortunes began to wane. 81
- George Broun was soon after~af
&c.,. al L.. 4L--nr, r,-.s- lf7io, anu Lad
to Elizabeth only escaped by her cloth'
re bearing her up In the water. 81
,g George died without heirs male, an
le the title, which was to heirs male ge'
ut eral, became dormant, and though sui
n sequently assumed by collater'
he branch again became dormant In lit
IL and so remained for more than 80 year
10 until after proceedings, very interes
II. ing, a young cadet Of distant branC
proved his father to be entitled TO Il
baronetcy and was accordingly d
l. clared heir. The entire estates hl
passed away, and. together with Il
or magic cornac, were become the pro
erty OF the family OF Ramsey, earl
Dalhousie, whose predecessor had ma
ried the niece OF the unfortunate )
OF George Broun above mentioned.
OF In a silver box, with strong cask'
aii safe under locks and bolts, the mag
,u' cornac now reposes In the custody
INC Lord Dalbousie, and one can readi
arc understand how highly the relic
ae- prired and how jealously preserved
i,u the present possessor.--Chicago Eve
ey inr News,