Year: 1875

ing replaced, in which case it was more
than likely that her life would be the for
teit of the act she meditated. When she
at length saw and heard the postman ad-
vancing behind her, the strong necessity
OF the case gave her renewed courage
and 1t was with perfect GOODNESS that, on
his coming close up. she civilly saluted
MN, put her horse into the same pace
with his, and rode on some way in his
company lie was strong, thick-set fel-
low, with good-humored countenance.
which did not seem to Miss Cochrane, as
she looked anxiously upon it, to SAVIOR
much of hardy daring. lie rode with the
mall-bags strapped firmly to his saddle in
front, close to the holsters (tor there were
two,) one containing the letters direct
from London, and the other those taken
up at the different post-offices on the road
After riding a short distance together.
Miss Cochrane deemed it time, as they
were nearly halt way between Belford and
Berwick, to commence her operations
She therefore rode close to her compan-
ion, and said in a tone of determination,
'trlend, L have taken a fancy for those
mall-bags OF yours, and must have them :;
therefore take my advice and deliver them
up quietly, for | am provided for all haz-
ards. L am mounted, as YOU see, on a
fleet steed; | carry firearms, and, more
over, am allied with those who are stronger
though not bolder than myself You see
yonder wood" she continued pointing to
one at the distance of about mile, with
an accent and air meant to carry intimda-
ton. Again, | say, take my advice, give
me the bags, and speed back the road YOU
came Tor the present, nor dare to approach
that wood for at least two or three hours
to come


There was in such language from d strip
ling something so surprising that the man
looked on Miss COchrane tor an instant in
silent and unfeigned amazement 'tIf >
sad he, as soon as he found his tongue
you mean, my young master, to make
yourself merry at my expense, you are
welcome | am no soul churl to take Of
Tense at the idle words of foolish boy.
But it," he said, taking one of his pistols
from the holster and turning its muzzle
towards her, "you are mad enough to har-
Dor one serious thought of such matter,
| am ready for you But methinks, my
lad, you seem at an age when robbing
garden or an old woman's fruit stall would
beHt you better, if you must turn thief,
than taking his majesty's mails from a
stout man such as am upon his highway
BE thankful, however, that you have met
with one who will not shed blood if he can
help it, and Sheer off before you provoke
me to fire"


May said his young antagonist, Il
am not fonder of bloodshed than you are :;
but ii you will not be persuaded, what can
| do? For have told you truth-the
D10il IDlASt and miUharc. So now choose"
she continued, as she drew one of the small
pistols from under her cloak, and deliber-
ately cooking it, presented it in his face


Nay, then, your blood be on your own
head, SAID the fellow, as he raised his
hand and fired his pistol, which, however,
only flashed IN the pan. Dashing the
weapon to the ground, he lost not Il mo-
ment IN pulling out the other, which he
also aimed at his asSallant. and fired with
the same result. In Il transport of rage
and disappointment, the man sprang from
his horse and made an attempt to seize
her, but by an adroit use of her spurs she
eluded his grasp, and placed herself out
OF his reach Meanwhile his horse had
moved forward some yards, and to see and
oNlLC LilC ttIi ny IllIS tll
cumstance was one and the same to the
heroic girl, who, darting toward it. caught
the bride. and having led her prize off
about q hundred yards, stopped while she
called to the thuudcrstruck postman to
remind him OF her advice about the wood.
She then put both horses to their speed
and on turning to look at the man She had
robbed had the pleasure of perceving
that her mysterious threat had taken et-
feet, and he was now pursuing his way
back to Bcltord.


Miss Cochrane speedily entered the
wood to which She had alluded, and tying
the strange horse to a tree, ont of all OBJ
servatiOn from the road, proceeded to I'M
tasten the straps of the mail BY means
OF sharp pen-knite, which set at defiance
the appended locks, she was soon mistress
of the contents, and with an eager hand
broke open the government dispatches,
which were uneningly pointed out to her
by their address To the Council in Edn-
burgh, and their imposing weight and
broad seals Of Office. Here she found not
only the fatal warrant for her fathers
death, but also many other sentences in
llicting different degrees of punishment on
various dehnquents. These, however, it
may readily be supposed, she did not then
stop to examine, she contented herself
with tearing them into small fragments
and placing them carefully in her bosom


The intrepid girl now mounted her steed
and rode off leaving all the private papers
where she had found them, imagining
(what eventually proved the case) that
they would be discovered ere long, from
the hints she had thrown out about the
wood, and thus reach their proper places
of destination. She now made all haste
to reach the cottage of her nurse, where,
having committed to the flames not only
the fragments of the dreaded warrant but
also the other obnoxious papers, she quick
~ resumed her female garments, and was
again, after this manly and daring action,
the simple and unassuming Miss GriseIl
Cochrane. Leaving the cloak and pistols
behind her to be concealed by her nurse,
she again mounted her horse, and directed
her ight toward Edinburgh, and by avoid
ing as much as possible the high-road nd
resting at sequestered cottages, as she had
done before, and that only twice for a cou
pie of hours each time, she reached town
early in the morning OF the next day


The time gained by the heroic act re-
lated above was productive of the end for
which it was undertaken, and Sir John
Cochrane was pardoned at the instigation
of the Kings fayorite counselor, who in
terceded for him in consequence of receiy-
ing bribe Of five thousand pounds from
the Earl of Dundonald. Miss Cochrane
atterward married Mr.. Ker. of Morriston,
in the county of Berwick, and there can
be little doubt that she proved equally af-
fectionate and amiabe as a wife as she
had already been dutiful and devoted as a
daughter Sir John Cochrane succeeded
as second Earl of Dundonald


A BREACH OF PROMISE SUIT. The re-
breach of promise suit of Chamber
layne VS.. Holmes will be begun in New York
TODAY. The damages are laid at the modest