Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-10-27
CHAPTER Ill.
1855.


der by poison of her husband, Malcolm
Ross.
For my own sclf-speaking apar1
from my legal character-I detest the
idea of hanging a woman. leave II tc
wiser heads to determine how they
ought to be punished. l would never
hang them. When l had read the case
of the prosecution, l was terribly afralo
that Flora Ross would have to sub
nit to that most awful of punishments
The evidence told terribly against her
When l saw her. my sorrow for such
a fate was redoubled, for l found her
the loveliest woman my eyes had evel
beheld.
l tell you the story briefly first pre-
missing that l was never able to make
up my mind as to whether she was
guilty or not. l have not to my salts
faction decided yet. Near Glasgow
there resided, some seven years ago, a
wealthy landowner of the name OF
Malcolm Ross; he was the squire OF
the estate of Gairncorn, and was head
Of the ancient Ross family.
At that time he was so years of age
without exception the greatest tyrant
in all Scotland. He had the most fierce
and brutal temper; he never restrained
his speech, either in the presence OF
man, woman or child.
One Of the tenants was small far
mer, Allan Maclise, a poor, struggling
man, with a sick wife and large fam
lily. The eldest of the family, Flora,
was a beauty. In all Scotland there
was not a fairer, sweeter lassie. Her
lovely face won such admiration that
the minister's wife, who was lady
i'm her own right" sent her to school,
Flora Maclise was clever as she was
beautiful. At 16 she returned to the
old Scottish manse. She was good as
she was fair. Many girls so lovely and
accomplished would have refused to
bury themselves in the old farm house
Not so Flora; she was the very light
and sunshine of home. She took the
poor, ailing mothers place in the
house: she taught the younger chill
dren, she cheered the dropping, gray
haired father, until she made the manse
a different house.
OF course, so fair a face must draw
lovers, as one drop of honey must
draw flies. Ali the young farmers on
the Gairncorn estate were crazed about
Flora Maclise. ~
She soon made her choice, young
Donald Macdonald, Of Avistown, a
handsome laddie, with bright face, a
light heart and the most gallant figure
that ever stepped over the heather OF
Scottish hills, won her. He had great
blue eyes, clear as the heavens; his
clustering hair was just touched with
gold. Donald Macdonald was we'll
born; his forefathers had been chief
tenants of the Gairncorn estates for
many long years, but he was poor
When he asked Flora to be his wife
she said, Yes" But they must wait
many long years-wait until times grew
better with Allan Maclise, until the
sick mans wife gained health and
strength, and the little ones were able
TO wait upon themselves; then Flora
would marry him, and they would go
together to some pretty home in the
Highlands and be happy. Put until
that time Donald said it Was useless
for him to linger at Gairncorn, getting
IL the
New World and work until he had
saved money to buy large farm; then
he would come for Flora.
They loved each other so dearly
these unfortunate lovers. They bade
each other good bye" with passion
OF tears; they swore eternal truth and
fealty.
You will not forget me, Flora
though l should be long years away;
you will be true to me? 1 know you
will be ready to marry me when l come
back"
Yes: she would be ready" He kiss
ed the sweet, trembling lips; he kissed
the tears from the lovely face. They
broke a sixpence in half and parted.
Il shall come again, my dear" said
Donald though it were ten thousand
miles"
And I shall be here ready for yor
when you come" she replied. Their
Donald went away, and Flora returned
to the old manse to work and wait ir
love and patience.
Two years passed away and things
had grown worse. The poor moth
er seemed to fade away daily; she
wanted better nOurishment than theil
scanty means could give her; the crops
were bad, the cattle died of disease;
and Allan Maclise was wild with mis-
cry and want They were a whole veal
behind with the rent. and one day
there came a notice from the LANDLORD
that. unless the rent was paid by {
certain day, they would be turned ou
of their dear old home, and all the
stock sold The old farmers courage
gave away when he read it; he fell or
his knees and Sobbed aloud that ht
must go To the WI III illS VIZ
age. Tears ran down the furrowet
face. and the gray head was bent ir
hopeless sorrow.
What shall do?" he cried to Flora
II will try to help you, father sh'
said.
She went to her room, she braided
her bonnie hair with her brightest rib
bOns. and set out to walk sixteen mile!
to the landlords house, to ask fO
some time and for mercy. Malcolm
Ross was at home; he had just finish
ed dinner when she arrived. He look
ed up in surprise at the beautiful Wis
ion-the graceful girl with her lovel!
sonsy face and sweet, pleading eyes
Whatever heart he had he lost to he
i'm that moment.
You want me to forgive your faith
er's rent? l will tell you what l vii
do. l will forgive him all the rent h
owes and he shall live the remainde
Of his life in the old manse rent free
If YOU will marry me"