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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Seaforth News, 1939-04-27, Page 6PAGE SIX 'THE SEAEORTH NEWS "Our pay," said Lord Menteith, "trust at ;present be small, since it is paid out of the common stock raised a by the few among- •ns who can com- mand some funds—As major and ad- jutant, 1 dare not .promise Captain Dalgetty more than half a dollar," "The devil take all 'halves and quarters!" said the Captain; ",were it in my option, 1 could no more con- sent to the halving of that dollar, than the woman hi the Judgment of Solo- mon to the disseverment of the child of her bowels." "The parallel will scarce hold, Cap- tain Dalgetty, for I think you would rather consent to the dividing of the dollar, than give it up entire to your competitor, However, in the way of arrears, I may promise you the other half -dollar at the end of the cam- paign." "Ah! these arrearages!" said Cap- tain Dalgetty. "that are always pro- mised, and always go for nothing! Spain. Austria, and Sweden. all sing one sone. Oh! long life to the Hogan- ntogan!—And yet, my lord, if I could but be made certiorats that my nat- ural hereditament of Druntthwacket had fallen into possession of any of these loon ni covenanters. who could be. in the event of our succcs_c, con- veniently made a traitor of. I have so much value for that fertile and pleas- ant spot, that I would e'en take on with you for the campaign." "I can resolve Captain Dalgetty's question," said Sibbald, Lord Men- teith's second attendant: ''for if .his estate of Druntthwacket be. as I con- ceive, the long waste moor so called, that lies five miles south of Aberdeen, I can tell him it was lately purchased by Elias Strachan, as rank a rebel as ever swore the covenant."' "The crisp -eared hound!" said Cap- tain Dalgetty, in a rage "what the devil gave him the assurance to pur- chase the inheritance of a family of four hundred years' standing;?—Cyn- thius aurem relict, as we used to say at daresc'hal College: that is to say. I will pull him out of my father's house by the ears. And so, my Lord Menteith, I am yours, hand and sword, body and soul, till death do us part, or to the end of the next campaign, whichever event shall first come to 'pass," "And I," said the young nobleman, "rivet the bargain by a month's pay in advance." "That is more than necessary." said Dalgetty, pocketing the money however. "But now I must go down, look after my war -saddle and abuil- ziements, and see that Gustavus has his morning, and tell him we have taken new service." "There goes your precious recruit," said Lorca Menteith to Anderson, as the Captain left the room; "I fear we shall have little credit of him." "He is a man of the times, how- ever," said Anderson; "and without such we should hardly be able to carry on our enterprise." "Let us go down," answered Lord Menteith, "and see how our muster is likely to thrive, for I hear a good deal of 'bustle in the castle." When they entered the hall, the domestics 'keeping modestly in the background, morning greetings Pass- ed between Lord Menteith, Angus :V1'Aulay, and his English guests, while Allan, occupying the sante settle which he had filled the preced- ing evening, paid no attention what- ever to any one. Old Donald hastily rushed into the apartment. "A message from Vich Alister More; [the patronymic of IvladDonetl of Glengarry); he is com- ing up in the evening." "With how many attendants?" said M'Aulay. "Some five -and -twenty or thirty," said Donald, "his ordinary retinae." -"Shake clown plenty of straw in the great barn," said the Laird. Another servant here stumbled has- tily in, announcing the expected ap- proach ,of,Sir I-Iector, "who is arriving with a large following:" "Put thein in the rnalttkiln," said M'Aulay; "and keep the breadth of the midden-stead 'between them and the M'Donalds; they are but unfriends to each other." Donald now re-entered, his visage consid•era'hly lengthened—"The tei•I's i' the folk," he said; ."the hail) Iiiel- ands are asteer, 1 think, Evan Dltu, of Lochiel, will be here in an hour, with Lord kens how many Billies." "Into the great 'barn with them be- side the M'Donalds," said the Laird, More and more chiefs were an- nounced, the least of whom would have accounted it derogatory to his dignity to stir without a retinue of six or seven persons, To every new annunciation, Angus .M'Aulay an- swered by naming some place of ac- comodation,--the stables, the loft, the cow -house, the sheds, every domestic office were destined for the night to some hospitable purpose or other. At length the arrival of M'Dougal of Lori, after all his means of accont- odation were exhausted, reduced hint to some perplexity. "What the devil is to he clone, Donald " said he; "the creat barn would hold fifty more, if they would lie heeds and thraws; but there would he drawn dirks aman;g them ;vhich should lie uppermost, and SO -t should have bloody puddings before morning!" "What needs all this?" said :Allan, starting ttp, and coating forward with the stern abruptness of his usual man- ner; "are the Gael today of softer flesh or whiter blood than their fath- ers were? Knock the head out of a cask of usquebae; let that be their night-gear—their plaids, their 'bed- clothes—the blue sky their canopy, and the heather their couch. ---Come a thousand more. and they would not quarrel on the broad heath for want of room." "Allan is right." said his brother, "it is very odd how Allan, who, be- tween ourselves," said he to 'Musgrave "'is a little wowf, seems at times to have more sense than ue all put to- gether, Observe him now," "Yes," continued Allan, fixing his eyes with a ghastily stare upon the opposite side of the hall, "they may well begin as they are to end; many a man will sleep this night upon the heath, that when the Martinmas wind will blow shall lie there stark enough, and reek little of cold or lack of cov- ering," "Do not forespeak ns, brother," said Angus: "that is not lucky." "And what tack is it then that yon expect?" said Allan; and straining his eyes until they almost started from their sockets, he fell with a convulsive shudder into the arms of Donald and his brother, who, knowing the nature of his fits, had come near to prevent his fall. They seated hint upon a •bench, and supported him until he came to himself, and was about to speak, "For God's sake, Allan," said his brother, who 'knew the impression iris mystical words were likely to make on many of the guests, "say nothing to discourage us." ".Am I he who discourages you?" said Allan; "let every man face his weird as I shall face mine. That, which must come, will come; and we shall stride gallantly over many a field of victory, ere we reach yin fatal slaughter -place, or tread yon sable scaffolds." "What slaughter -place what scaf- folds?" exclaimed several voices; for Allan's renown as a seer was .general- ly established in the Highlands. "You will knowthatbut too soon," answered Allan, "Speak to me no more, 1' ani weary of your questions," He then pressed his hand 'against his brow, rested his elbow upon his knee, and sunk into a deep reverie. "Send for Arnot Lyle and the harp," said Angus, in a whisper, to his servant, "and let those gentlemen follow me who do not fear a High - 'and breakfast." All accompanied. • their !hospitable landlord, excepting only Lord Mon- teith, who lingered in one of the deep. ;mbrasures formed by the windows of the hall. Arnot Lyle shortly after glided into the room, not i11 deserib ed by Lord Menteith as being the lightest and most fairy figure that ever trod the turf by moonlight, Her stature,' consid'erab'ly less than the or- dinary size of women, gave her the appearance _of extreme youth, lasts - much, that although she was near. eighteen, she might have passed for. four years younger. Her figure, hands and feet, were formed' upon a model of exquisite symmetry with the size and lightness of her person, so that Titania herself •could scarce have found a more fitting representative. Her' hair was a dark shade of the color. usually termed flaxen, whose clustering ringlets suited admira'bly with, Ther. •fair coplexion, and with the 'playfan ,playful, yet simple,.expression of her features. Whenwe add to these charm's, that ,Annot, in her orphan state, seemed the gayest and happiest of maidens, the readers must allow us to claim for her the interest of almost all who looked on her. In fact, it was impossible to find a more universal favorite, and she often came among the rude inhabitants of the castle, as Allan himself, in a .poetical mood, ex- pressed it "like a sunbeam on a sul- len sea," communicating to all others the cheerfulness that 'filled her own mind. Annot, such as' we have described her, • smiled and 'blushed, when, on en- tering the apartment, Lord Menteith carte from his place of retirement, and kiitclly wished her good morning. ',And good morning to you, my lord," returned' she, extending Iter hand to her friend, we have seldom .seen you of late at the castle, and now I fear it is with no ;peaceful purpose." "At least, let me not interrupt your harmony, Annot," said Lord 'Men- teith, "though my arrival may breed discord elsewhere. My cousin Allan needs the assistance of your voice and music," "My preserver," said Annot Lyle, "has a right to my poor exertions; and you, too, my lord,—you, too, are my preserver, and were the most ac- tive to .save a life that is worthless enough, unless it can benefit my pro- tectors." So saying, she sate down at a little distance upon the bench on which Al- lan \I'Aulay was placed, and tuning her clairhach, a small harp, about thirty inches in 'heigh•t, she accomp- anied it with her voice. The air was an ancient Gaelic melody, and the words, which were supposed to be very old, were in the same language; abut we subjoin a translation of then hy Secundus Macpherson, Esq., of Glenforgen, which, although, submit- ted to the fetters of 'English rhythm, we 'trust will be found nearly as gen- uine as the version of 'Ossian by his celebrated namesalke, THE RISING 5OE5N 'Birds of omen, dark and foul, Night -crow, raven, bat and owl, Leave the sick man to his dream—, All night long he heard your scream— Haste to cave and ruin'd tower, Ivy-tod or Jingled bower, '.There to wink and mope, for, hark! In the mid air sing the lark, 1I. 'Hie to ntoorish gills and rocks, Prowling wolf and wily fox,— Hie you fast, nor tarn your view, Though the lamb bleats to the' ewe. Couch your trains, and speed your fight, Safety parts with parting night; :And nn distant echo borne, Comes the hunter's early horn, I11, "The moon's wan crescent scarcely gleams, Ghost-like she fades in morning hearts; Hie hence each peevish imp and fay, That scare the pilgrim cm his way:— .Quench, kelpy; quench, in bog and fen Thy torch that cheats benighted 111011; Thy dance is o'er, thy reign is clone, For lienyieglo hath seen the sun. • "Wild thoughts, that, sinful, dark, and deep, O'erpower the passive mind in sleep, Pass from the siumberer's soul away, Light night -mists from the 'brow of day: Foul hag, whose blasted visage grins, Smothers the pulse, unnerves the limb, Spur thy dark :palfrey, anti begone! Thou darest not face the godlike sun." As the strain ;proceeded, Allan M'- Aulay -.gradually .gave signs of recov- cring his presence of mind, and at- tention to the objects around him. The deep -knit furrows of his brow re- laxed and smoothed themselves;, and the rest of his features, which- had seemed contorted with internal agony, relapsed into a more natural state. When he raised his head and sat up- right. his countenance, though still deeply melancholy, was divested of its wiIdness .and ferocity,; and in its composed state, although 'by no means handsome, the ekpression of his. fea- tures was striking, manly, and even noble. His thick, brown eyebrows, THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 1939 PROFESSIONAL CARDS which hitherto had been clr:awn close ;floor. Lord .Monteith •iiiciced it up, and together, were now slightly separ- rettirnecl it to 'the terrified Annot, ated, as in the natural state; and his "I take Gold to witness, said 'Allan, gray eyes,' which had rolled and flash- in a solemn tone,. °that your hand, ed from under them with an Unnatural young lord, and, not mine, has again. and: portentous gleam, now recovered delivered to her this ill-omened' •gift. a steady and determined expression, It was the mourning ring worn by "Thank God!" he said, after sitting my mother in memorial of Iter murd silent Inc about a minute, until the erect brother.'" very last 'sounds of the harp, had "I. fear no omens," said Amlot, ceased to vibrate, "my soul is .no smiling through her tears; "'and noth- longen• ala.rkened—the Mist hath pass- ing coming throngh the hbands of qty. ed from my spirit," two patrons," so she was watt to call "You owe thanks, Cousin Allan, Lord Menteifll and 'Arlan, °can lbr'ing said Lord Menteith, coming forward, bad kick to the poor ;orphan."_ "to Annot Lyle, as well as to .Heaven, She put the_ring on her finger, and, for this happy change in your ntelan- turning to her harp, sung t0 a lively choly mooch° air the .following''verses of one of 'the "'My noble cousin Menteith," said fashionable songs of the period, Allan, rising an'd greeting 'hint 'very which had found its way, marked as respectfully, as well as ;kindly, "has it was •wit'h the 'quaint hyperbolical known try unhappy Circumstances so taste of King Charles's time, from long, that his goodness will require some .court enas'que to the wilds of no excuse for my being thus late in Perths-hire:— bidding him welcome to the castle." "We are too old acquaintances, Al- "Gaze not upon the stars, fond sage, lan," said Lord Menteith, "and too In them no influence lies; good friends, to stand on the cere- To read the fate of youth or age, monial of outward greeting; but half Look on my Helen's eyes. the Highlands will be here to -clay,, „fret, -rash astrel•oger, refrain1 and you know, with oar mountain' Too dearly would be won Chiefs, ceremony must not be reg- The prescience of another's' pain, lected. What will you give little An- purchased by thine own," not for snaking you fit company to meet Evan Dint, and I know not how ''She is might, Allan," said Lord many .bonnets and feathers?" Menteith, "and this end of an old '41Vhat will he give me?" said An- song is worth all we shall gain by not, smiling; "nothing less, I hope, our attempt to look into futurity." than the best ribbon at the Fair of , "She is wrong, my lord," said 'Al- Doune•" tan, sternly, "though you, who •treat "'he Fair of Doone, Annot?" said with lightness the warnings I have Allan, sadly; "there will be 'bloody ,given you, may not live to see the work' before that day, and I may event of the omen,—Laugh not so never see it; 'but you have well re- scornfully," he added, interrupting minded me of what I have long in- himself, 'or rather laugh on as loud tended to do." and as long as you, Willi 'yotir term of Having said this lie left the room. laughter will •find a pause ere 'long." "Should' he talk long in this man- "I care not for your visions, Allan," nee," said Lord Menteith, "you must said Lord Menteith; "however short keep your harp in tune, my dear my span of life, the eye of no High- Annot." land seer can see its termination," 'I 'hope not," said Annot anxious- 'For Heaven's sake," said Annot ly; "this fit ]las been a long one, and Lyle, interrupting him, "you know probably will not soon return. It is his nature, and how little he can en - fearful to see a mind, naturally gen- du•re"— crous and affectionate, afflicted by "Fear me not," said Allan, inter - this constitutional malady." rupting her,—"qty mind is now con- Aa she spoke in a low and confid- stant and calm—But for you, young ential tone, Lord Menteith naturally lord," said he, turning to Lord Men - drew close, and stooped forward, teith, "my eye has sought you that he might tie better catch the through fields of •battle, where High - sense of what site said. When Allan Landers and Lowlanders lay strewed suddenly entered the apartment, they as thick as ever the rooks sat on as naturally drew back from each those ancient trees," pointing to a other with a manner expressive of rookerey which was seen from the consciousness, as if surprised in a window— ttiy eye sought you, but conversation which they wished to your corpse was not there;—my eye keep secret from hint. 'Phis did not sought you amon a train ;of Ltnr•esist- escape Allan's observation; he stop- ing and disarmed captives, :drawn up ped short at the door of the apart- within the bounding walls of an anc- ment—his 'brows were contracted— ient and rugged fortress;—flash after his eyes rolled; but it was only the flash—platoon after platoon—the hos paroxysm of a moment. He passed tile shot fell amongst them, they his broad sinewy hand across his dropped like the dry leaves in aut- brotc, as if to obliterate these signs umn, but you were not among their of emotion, and advanced toward An- ranks; — scaffolds were -prepared! — not, holding in his hand a very small 'blocks were arranged, sawdust,. was box, made of oak -wood, curiously in- spread—the priest was ready .with his laid. "I take you to witness," he said, hook, the headsman with his axe—but "cousin \Menteitdt,'that I give this box there, too, mine eye found you not." and its contents to Annot Lyle, It "The gibbet, them '1 suppose, must contains a few ornaments that be- he my doom," ,said Lord Menteith. longed to my poor mother—of trifling `''Yet I wish they had spared me the value, you niay guess, for the wife of halter, were it belt for the dignity of a Highland laird .has seldom a rich 'the peerage." jewel -casket" He spoke this scornfully, yet not "But these ornaments," said Annot without a sort of curiosity, and a wish Lyle, .gently and timidly refusing the to receive an answer; for the desire box, "belong, to the family -1 cannot of prying into futurity frequently has accept"— some influence even on the minds of "They belong to me alone, Arnot," those tvho disavow all belief in the said Allan, interrupting her; "they possibility of such predictions. were my mother's dying bequest. "Your rank, my lord, will suffer no They are ail I can call qty own, ex- dishonor in your person, or 'by the cept my plaid and my claymore. Take manner of your death. Three times them, therefore—they are to me val- have I seen a Highlander plant his ueless trinkets -and keep then for dirk in your bosom—and such will be my sake—should I never return from Your fate." these wars." "I wish you would describe him to So :saying, he opened the case, and rte," said Lord Menteith, "and I presented it to Annot, "Lf," said he, shall save hint the trouble of .fulfilling "they are of any valve, dispose of your prophecy, if his plaid be passable them for your own support, when this to sword or pistol." house has been consumed with hostile '"Your weapons," said Allan, "would fire, and call no longer afford you avail you little; nor can I give you protection. But 'keep one ring in the information you desire. The face of .the vision has been ever averted. frau rte." "So be it then," said Lord Men- teith, "and let it rest, in the uncer- tainty in which your augury has placed it. C shall dine not the Mess rterrily among plaids, and dirks, .and kilts to -day," "It May be so," said Allan; "lane) it may be you do well to enjoy these moments, which to ane are poisoned by auguries of future evil, But I," he memory of Allan, who has done, to requite your kindness, if not all he wished, at least all ,he contd." Annot Lyle endeavored in vain to restrain the gathering tears, ,when she said, 'One ring, Allan. f will accept from you as a memorial of your goodness to a poor orphan, but do not press me to take more; for I can not, and will not, accept a gift of such disproportioned valise." "Make your choice, then," said Al- lan; "you delicacy may be well found- continued—"I repeat to you, that this ed; the others. will assume a shape in weapon—that is, such a weapon as which they may be more Rtselul to t'h'is," touching the hilt of the dirk you," .which he wore, "carries your fate." "Think not of it," said Annot, "In the meanwhile," said Lord choosing front the 'contents of rhe;MenteitI, "you, Allan; have frighten - casket a ring, apparently the most ed the blood iron the cheeks of An - trifling in value which it contained; not Lyle—let us leave this discourse, "keep them for your own, or your: my friend, and go to see what we brother's bride,—Batt, good heavensl" both understand,—the progress of our she said, interrupting hersehf, and military preparations" looking at the ring, "what is this that They joined Angus M',Au•lay ane), i have chosen?" Phis English 'guests, and.in the military Allan 'hastened to look •upas it, with discussions which immediately took eyes of gloomy apprehension: .it bore, I place, Allan showed a clearness of in .enamel, a death's head above two mind, mind, strength of judgment, and pre - crossed daggers. 'W'hen Allan recog- 1 •cision of thought totally inconsistent razed the (device, he ,uttered a sigh with the mystical light in which Itis so deep, that she dropped the. ring ,'character bas been hitherto exhibited, from her hand, which rolled upon 'the' • (To be continued) Medical SEAIFORTH CLINIC Dr. E. A. McMaster, KB., Gradu- ate of University of Toronto. J. D. Colquhoun, M.D., C.M., Grad- uate of 'Dalhousie University, Halifax. The. Clinic' is fully equipped with complete and modern x-ray and other up -to -data diagnostic and thereuptie equipment. Dr. Margaret K. Campbell, M.D.,. L.A.B.P„ Specialist in Diseases in Infants and Children, will he al the Clinic last. Thursday in •every month from 3 to '6 p.m. - Dr. F. J. R. Forster, Specialist he Diseases of the Ear, Eye, Nose and. Throat, will be at the Clinic the first Tuesday in every month from 4 for 6 p.m. Free weld -baby clinic will be 'held on the second and last Thursday in every month from 1 to 2 p.m, , JOHN A. GORWILL, B.A.,M.D. Physician and Surgeon In Dr, H. H. Ross' office. Phone 51j W. C. SPROAT, M.D., Surgery Phone 90-W, Office John St., Seaforth DR. H. HUGH ROSS, Physician and Surgeon Late of London Hos- pital, London, England, Special at. , tension. to, ,diseasesof the eye, ear,. nose and throat. Office and zesidence behind Dominion Bank, Office Phone No. 5; Residence Phone 1114. DR F. J. BURROWS, Office Main St, Seaforth, over Dominion "Bank. Hours 2-5 and 7 to 13 p.rn. and by ap- pointment. Residence, Goderich St., two doors west of United Church. Phone 4'6, DR. F. J. R. FORSTER— Eye Ear, Nose and Throat. Graduate in Medicine, University of Toronto 1897. Late Assistant New York Ophthal- mic and Aural Institute, Moorefield's Eye, and Golden Square throat hospi- tals, London, At Commercial Hotel, Seaforth, third Wednesday in each month from 1.30 p.m. to`5 p,m. Auctioneer. GEORGE ELLIOTT, Licensed Auctioneer for the County of Huron. Arrangements can be made for Sale Date at The Seaforth News. Charges moderate and satisfaction guaranteed F. W. AHRENS, hicensed Auetim. eer for Perth and Huron Counties. i Sales Solicited, Terms on Application, Farm Stock, chattels and real estate property. R. R. No. 4, Mitchell, Phone 634 r 6. Apply at this office. WATSON & REID REAL ESTATE AND INSURANCE AGENCY (Successors to James Watson) MAIN ST,, SEAFORTH, ONT. All kinds of Insurance risks effect- ed at !lowest rates in First -Class Companies. THE McKILLOP Mal Fire Insurance Cti HEAD OFFICE—SEAFORTH, Ont. ' OFFICERS President, Thomas Moylan, Sea - forth; Vice President, William Knox, Londesboro; Secretary Treasurer, M A. Reid, Seaforth. AGENTS F. McKercher, R.R.1, Dublin; John. E. Pepper, R.R.1, Brucefield E. R. G Jarmouth, Brodhagen; James Watt, Blyth; C. F. Hewitt, Kincardine, Wm. Yeo, Hslmtsville, DI RECTORS Alex. Broadfoot,. Seaforth No. 3;. James S•holdice, Walton; Wm. Knox, I,ondesboro; George Leonhardt„ Bornholm No. 1; Frank MacGregor,: Clinton No, 5; Jantes Connolly, God erlch; Alex McEwing, Blyth Na. 1;. Thomas Moylan, Seaforth Na 5: Wm. R. Archibald, Seaforth No,' 4. Parties desirous to effect insurance or transact other business, will be promptly attended to by applications to any of the above named officers addressed to their respective post - offices. Critic --"The picture of the ]horse is :good, .but Where is the, wagon?" Artist—"Oh, the horse , will .draw that,"-