Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1913-04-19
BY EDN "A L. SWIFT


numbered along the main highway be
tween Glasgow and Edinburgh TO.
ward the Inter city II was the year
that oliver Cromwell. having closed the
war with the parliament. defeated the
Scotch royalists NJ Preston and end
ed the war In those days the ronds
were nnpavcd and. being the only
means Of land transportation. We're
much used aud consequently In the
worst condition possible Two per-
sons within the coach. gentleman and
his daughter. were tossed about rs II
lurched In the ruts and mudhoes which
the driver could hardly have avoided
even had there been something better
than an oil lamp on each side of the
vehicle to light the way. Presently n
rear wheel went down 10 the axle. and
the coach. careenlng on that side. came
to stop For some ten minutes the
driver dashed the horses in vain eff
fort 10 force them TO pull 1t out and.
after rest. was about to begin again
when by the dim side lights the trav
elers were able 10 discern the figure
OF II masked man on the road beside
them.
That he was n highwayman was evil
dent from the concealment OF his fea-
lures. but his first words were not in
the least terrifying wait bit" he
said 10 the coachman. TIN | bring n
f.t IN. h.. xtshn ~
10 dry land " And with that he disap.
peared IN the darkness. returning in
few minutes with fcncepost. one
end OF whi.h he placed under the rear
axle and the other end on his shoulder
Then. calling on the driver 10 again ap-
ply the lash. the coach was lifted on TO
iirmer ground
"Now." said the man who had secur-
ed this result TO the gentleman in the
coach. "thc laborer being worthy of his
hire. shall have TO trouble you for
your valuahlcs II pains me TO do this:
but. the war being over and the king no
longer able TO pay his soldiers. must
needs get n living the best way can"
ALAS" replied the gentleman In the
coach. THAT is Il case of one bcggar
calling on another for help. The Duke
Of Hamilton in order TO pay the troops
that Cromwell had so ably defeated
has taken everything | possessed ex-
cept my home am on my way TO
Edinburgh TO try TO make loan on
that which will tide me over these
strenuous times.
I'm that case" replied the highway.
man. please accept my services
gratis"
While this brief dialogue was being
spoken the lady In the coach sat con.
cealed In a corner so that the highway
man did not see her. But as he. hav-
ing mounted his horse. was about TO
ride away she leaned forward and. tax
ing n bracelet from her wrist extended
Il toward him. saying:
ut is not meet that one of the kings
defenders should 20 unrewarded for
service Take this. and may the day
soon come when his majesty shall be
able To take care of his own"
There was sufficient light from the
coach lamp for the man 10 see that she
was young girl and beautiful Iie
sat so absorbed In the vision OF love
liness before him that for moment he
did not heed her words: then. taking
the bracelet. he said;
Il shall return II IN person"
"If you do" said her father. "you
shall be hanged for what you area
robbcr My daughter and are not
agreed npon these troublous times |
am with the parliament | understand
that many " the kings hirellngs. now
that their occupation has gone. have
taken to the road Cromwell will soon
be our ruler. and he VIII then clear our
highways Of these rentlemen robbers ="
KINDLY tell me who you are" said
the other. that may give Old Noll an
opportunity 10 stretch my neck. lie
the block. and would not deprive him
of the pleasure Of bringing one Of his
maIesty's loyal subjects to the halter
that Is. II won can turn me over to
him"
II am Donald Maclvor. and my home
Is on this read midway between Glas
gov and Edinburgh But warn you
to keep away, for shall surely turn
You over 20 the hangman II you come
upon my grounds"
The highwayman made no reply TO
this. but. lifting his hat TO the lady.
disappeared In the darkness. This
was his frs, attempt NJ robbery. and
II III accorded with his rank or his in
clInations lie WAS younger son OF n
Scotch laird who IN order 10 save his
estate had taken neither the side Of
the king nor the parliament. lie left
the travellers. hut felt very respondent
for his first effort M n highwaynan's
career was not 20 his Hiking. and he
knew Of no other occupation unless he
went 10 France and hecame hireling
soldier 81 the French king one thing
he was decided upon TINT sooner or
inter he would take the bracelet he