The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-11

from the King, was girl named Helen Walker. The sister whom she saved did not attain to the station which is reached by the sister in the novel,
 Apart from the story, ''The Heart of Midlothian" is most interesting his torical book. The scenes and. descriptions of people and customs would hold the eager attention of readers even if the plot were not followed at all
 ~ MUGGLING was almost universal in
 Scotland in the reigns of George A% and II. The people, regarding im- posts as unjust aggressions on their an- eient liberties, prided themselves on main taining a contraband trade, and were ever ready for bloody conflicts with their own local authorities, fellow countrymen and neighbors though they were, when there arose any matter of the Kings au- thority.
 One of the most daring of the Scotch smugglers was one Andrew Wilson He became so obnoxious to the revenue of- fcers that at last they concentrated their efforts on him, with the result of ruining him by repeated and constant seizures and imprisonments.
 The man became desperate. He con- ceived himself as having been plundered, and took it into his head that he had the right to make reprisals. Learning that the collector of customs at port near Edinburgh had e2OO in his house he induced a wild young adventurer known as Robertson to join him. They broke into the collectors house forcibly and openly, and while Robertson with cutlass guarded the door, Wilson relieved the crown officer of his money.
 Despite the strong feeling in favor of the two and the attempts made to hide them by the countryside, they were seized and carried to Edinburgh, where they were lodged in the city Jail, known as the Tolbooth, and also sarcastically as the Heart of Midlothian. After short trial they were sentenced to death.
 The people smuggled files and saws to them, but through mistake of Wilson's their escape was frustrated. The thought that he had robbed his friend of his chance for life preyed on the mans mind and he determined on a desperate effort to redeem his error.
 
 criminals to church on the Sabbath be- fore their execution. When the day came Wilson and Robertson were led in, each secured between two soldiers of the City Guard. They sat quietly through the service, but when the congregation arose to depart Wilson, who was an immensely strong man, suddenly seized soldier with each hand, shouted to his companions: "Run, Geordie, rum and threw himself on the third soldier and fastened his teeth in the collar of his coat Robert son shook off the grasp of the remaining soldier. The congregation immediately closed around him. echoing the cry: Run! Runi" and aided him to make good his escape.
 Wilson's generous bravery augmented the sympathy of the public Soon there ran a rumor through Edinburgh that the man would be rescued at the place of ex- ecution. The magistrates promptly took measures against such a chance by mus tering the entire City Guard, which was not only sufficiently hated for itself, but was still more bitterly hated because of its captain, John Porteous, whose fierce ness had brought on innumerabe brawls between the citizens and his men.
 The anger against the City Guard was increased when the people learned that Wilson had been most cruelty treated by Porteous. He was led to the scaffold suffering torment from handcuffs that were too small and had been forced on his wrists. However, there was no at tempt at rescue till Wilson's body swung aloft Then suddenly stones were thrown at the City Guard and a young fellow sprang on the scaffold and cut the body down before Porteous could stop him.
 Raging, he seized a musket from one of his men and shot into the crowd, killing a bystander. Then he gave the order to fire, and his troop obeyed, with such drastic effect that seven persons were killed and scores were wounded.
 The magistrates of Edinburgh, alarmed by the great wrath that shook the whole city, promptly arrested their captain and tried him for murder. The High Court of Justiciary found him guilty and sentenced him to be hanged on September s, 17Ss
 All that day the place of execution was so densely crowded that there was no vacant space, even around the black eallows. The mob of Edinburgh was one of the fiercest in Europe. The peo- pie knew that Queen Caroline, regent during the absence of George II, was Ill disposed toward the city because of it's constant risings against royal au- thority. They waited sullenly, un- willing to believe that the authorities would execute John Porteous till they should see him hanging against the sky.
 It turned out as they expected. The news sperad through the crowd that the Queen had granted the Captain a reprieve of six weeks. A shout, or rather a roar, burst from the mob. Then, instead of the disorderly scenes that the magistrates had feared silence, much more ominous than clamor would have been, fell over the throng. Men began to move swiftly through the multitude. whispering here and there. The crowd began to break up and disperse.
 The short-sighted magistrates felt grateful to Providence for the good temper of their bulky charge. They ex- ulted too soon. Before midnight Edin- bureh was in the hands of a disguised, fearless but orderly band, which, hav- ing disarmed the city guard and locke ed all gates by which military aid might