Year: 1871

4AA 0A@1A -


Some Of the inhabitants of Edinburgh
who, some years ago, we're in the habit Of
enjoying the pure air and delightful pros
poets which the head of Burntsheld Links
and the Burghmuirhead afford, may remem-
Der the person Of whose eventful life | am
about to narrate a few passages lie was
a square built, thick set old man, short In
stature, with weather beaten countenance,
which, though harsh in its expression at the
first glance, exhibited in conversation all the
traits Of mind Influenced by humane seq
timents and be nevOlent feelings. He was
often to be seen standing near the wells, at
the south border of the Links, where the
females bleach their linen, gazing steadfast-
ly upon them, bis rough features in CON
tlnued change, as if some inward feelings
completely engrossed his whole faculties
and indulging IN frequent mutterings, as if
the occupations of those whose motions be
was observing had reused some latent
thoughts that had been laid up in bis men,
ory IN former years.


When l saw him first, be was busy
looking at few sprghtly young females,
whose loud laugh enli> ened the scene of the
bleaching ground as they we're spa>hing the
water on each other IN merrIment His
features had something fearful in them.
Anger flashed from bis dark blue eyes, bis
shaggy eyebrows which covered them we're
knit, bis teeth were compressed; and such
unaccountable passion | bad never seen so
fearfully expressed. | almost shrunk from
him yet curiosity detained me, aud ! saw
biz features gradually relax and lAnguid
smile succeed his fearful frown. The
change was as unaccountable as the con
trast was striking, and could scarcely be-
lieve that | still looked upon the same in
dvidual The circumstance preiudiced me
against him for | attributed his fixed gaze
upon the females to cause very different
from the true one though why be should
frown upon them | was still at a greater
loss to understand. ! saw him every day
on the goling ground | wished for no in
tercourse with hiI, though there was a
strange anxiety in my mind to know more
Of him and often, as | followed the game
we we're busily engaged in, nv eyes would
involuntarily turn to where be stood or
walked and so habituated did | become
to bis presence that when he was absent
felt as If all was not as il used to be on the
golhng ground. No one of whom / made
inquiries knew aught of him; all could
learn was that be was known by the name
Of Captain and had black servant, who,
with an aged female, constituted bis whole
household at Morningside, where be resided
10 one of those small, se.fcontained villas
IN that etreat.


One morning, towards the end Of Sep
tember, | was up earlier than usual, as
had engaged to accompany some friends
upon small party Of pleasure and, taking
turn, bad sauntered down past Merchs-
ton Castle to see how the reapers we're get
ting on with their labor in the harvest fields.
There met the identical Captain, the sub
ject of my curiosity, coming up the road,
accompanied by female who leant upon bis
right arm as if she walked with difficulty
while in his left be carried young child,
whose head lay upon bis broad shoulder,
plllOwed as if asleep or depressed with
sickness; and bis black servant, who bore
considerable burden, walked by their
side. The female was evidently poor, but
neat and clean and her features were pale
as death, with an expression Of sickness and
languor which reused my sympathy with my
appreciation Of the Captains benevoence,
for was satisfied be was engaged in an act
Of charity.


Billy" | heard him say, you had a;
well 20 on before, and tell Mary tC
make all ready for our arrival Poor
thing! She is a sailors wife, and one o.
U.s."


Yes, massa, | do so-glally do so, y
replied the negro.


And away be moved from them, past me,
With the hurdle upon bis arm; the smile
that lit up bis black face giving it 10 my
estimation a look more interesting than
thought an Africans could possess The
female looked gratefully at her supporter,
and as the Captain gazed first at her, then
at her babe, | could see his clear blue eye
glsten with tears. My own heart swelled,
my bad impressions left me in moment
and | could have put him in my bosom.
bowed to him with true reverence, as II
asked pardon for the injustice had done
him, and be looked at me as if be was graft
fed, and gently nodded his head-all the
return he could make, so fully occupied was
he with his benevolent labors.


My good sir, said |, since you
seem to be engaged in a noble act
may | request TO be allowed to lend my
aid?"


Certainly, with ali my hear" replied
be. for l fear this good woman get
on but poorly with all the assistance 1 car
give her."


God bless you both" said the woman
as gave her my arm, ".for your kindness
oh' my baby my poor baby, fear, ha'
got bis death in the cold of this miserable
night My husband little did you think