Condon globe. (Condon, Gilliam Co., Or.) 189?-1919, 1910-01-21
A SCOTTISH LEGEND,
The Story Of the Knight With the
White Feather.
TWO COURAGEOUS WARRIORS.
Heroic Alexander Hume and His still
More Heroic Fellow Soldier and Pro.
teesee-Ths Sad Sequel to the Battle
That Was Lost.

The heraldic arms Of the Scotch
town OF Selkirk show a woman seated
on a tomb. on which is also placed the
Scottish lion The legend told about
the arms is this; King James Nv. OF
Scotland. who was about to invade
England, needed recruits for his enter
prise. The town clerk of SelSirk, Viii
liam Brydone. tried his best TO aid his
king by persuadlng his fellow country
men to enlist In the royal cause. So
earnest was he that he is said TO have
moved over hundred lusty Scots to
join his standard. Among these was
one Of the name Of Alexander Hume
This man was a shoemaker of the
town OF Selkirk. He was strong. stall
wart, bold and an excellent workman,
Brydone was very glad TO welcome
him, as he reckoned him quite the best
man of the hundred, and his comrades.
who were also brave men and true,
cheered him as he appeared among
them. such confidence had they In Ibis
wisdom. prudence, valor aud strength
Hume's wife. Margaret, was fine
young woman and very fond and proud
Of her brave. strong husband. Now.
| Margaret did not at all ike this pro-
posed invasion Of England. She felt
that It would mean great trouble to the
Scotch people. who would certainly be
vanquished by their strong enemy. and
the thought came to her that her own
brave husband might perhaps lose his
life In the struggle. She therefore used
all her best efforts 70 keep him at
home. She pleaded In vain. Alexan-
der was firm. At last she held up TO
his face their little tiye-months-old
daughter and asked who would look
after the child II he should die and
who would keep her from misery and
misfortune.
Hume loved his wife and child, and
these appeals brought the tears to his
eyes, but they did not break down his
resolution. which be had girt about him
as armor. Nothing could move him
TO become untrue to his king and coun-
try.
Finding that no entreaties could
move him. Margaret at last gave way
to anger and told him that his eager
desire to be thought the bravest man
of Selkirk would not supply the child
he was bound to work for with bite
of bread. She said even more than
this. Her tones grew higher and one
J word led to another. as you know IL
will, until the couple parted in anger
he to the field OF battle and she to
remain at home.
Alexander had not gone far before
; It flashed across the mind of his wife
that perhaps she might never see him
alive again. Unable TO control herself
she flung the child into its crib and
rushed out of the house. She must
see her husband again and get from
him one parting glance or word OF
reconciliation. She hurried through
the town. she sought everywhere fol-
. him, but he was nowhere to be seen
He had gone of with his comrades
The poor wife wept bitterly HeI
grief was deep.
Hume and his fellows were soon en-
gagged In battle. He displayed the
greatest bravery. Wherever he Wen
numbers of the enemy fell. In every
direction upon the field of battle ht
was seen. His companions kept wei
up to him, and In particular one mar
who had lately Joined the party. This
man fought with courage equal tC
that of Hume himself. keeping contin
ually beside him and defending hin
In many perils. Once when an Eng
lishman from behind drew very neal
to the Scot this soldier struck the COW
ardly fellow to the earth just as ht
was inserting his spear between tht
clasps of Hume's armor. Hume called
to the brave fellow and demanded his
name. even In the midst of the fight
but the stranger said that that was nc
matter.
This generous soldier wore leath
er jacket and an iron helmet, in which
there was placed a small white feath
er. Wherever Hume fought on thu
battlefield there might be seen beside
him the iron helmet and the whit,
feather.
At last the battle ended in defeat fo
the Scotch. who scattered In all direc
tions. Hume, who, with other sol
diers, was obliged to lie concealed ii
the forest for some time, took the frs
opportunity Of inquiring after his faith
ful attendant. But all his inquire
were without avail. He could not trac
him. Nothing could he learn of hin
but that he had disappeared when tn
fight was over.
Alexander Hume hurried to his cot
tage. He was anxious to see again hi
beloved wife and bestow upon her tn
kiss of reconciliation. When he reach
cd 1t he listened at the door, and hi
heart beat fast. He had kind words t
say to her from whom he had parte,
In anger. and his deep wounds needle,
dressing. He lifted the latch and walk
ed in. All was still. No wife came /
meet him; no ehild's cry met his eal
On looking round the room he say
seated in an armchair the knight wh
] | L.