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Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland Novel Chapters
List of most recent chapters published for the Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland novel. A total of 570 chapters have been translated and the release date of the last chapter is Apr 02, 2024
Latest Release: Chapter 1 : Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland.Volume I.by Various.PREFACE.This seri
Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland.Volume I.by Various.PREFACE.This series of Tales, now so well known in this country and also in America, was begun by JOHN MACKAY WILSON, originally a printer, and who subsequently betook himself to liter
- 201 Such is the character you pretend to, at any rate.""And such," replied Tromp, with a blush of honest indignation, "is the character I maintain. Who shall gainsay it?""Why, there are some things going on here to-night that don
- 202 Her cutting words had still no effect upon the good-natured farmer, who continued his operations till he got the six steers safely lodged in their shed. He then came into the house quietly, and, with a "heigh-ho, that job's weel owre," sat
- 203 "Ha! Matty, la.s.s, this is sad wark," cried the farmer, on recognising the voice of his wife."Is it possible, Robert Melville," said the father, "that you could disgrace your family and your pedigree, by carrying off the wife of
- 204 seeking ye there, faither."Lady Polwarth shuddered, and Sir Patrick pressed the cheek of his lovely daughter to his lips."Save us a', bairn!" said Jamie, "there's surely something no earthly about yer young laddys.h.i.+p, for
- 205 Before the evening closed, I was all ready to start upon my new line of life. As Berwick, he said, was not a proper place to lay in a store of goods to sell again with a sufficient profit, I purchased only a few pounds' worth of hardware, Wilson bein
- 206 I mounted the high-hung, crazy vehicle, with a lad to drive and bring it back, having satisfied mine host to his utmost wish. By half-past ten o'clock, I reached the jeweller's in the Strand, whose first floor Captain H----occupied, and found hi
- 207 "But why should you remain here?" said he, with emotion; "tell me, could not I a.s.sist you?" And he placed a piece of money in her hand."No! no!" cried the widow, bitterly, and raising her head; "oh, that Mary Lawson sh
- 208 "Certainly--with a great deal of pleasure," coldly responded Miss Gingerly, blowing her nose with the end of her pocket-handkerchief, which she extracted partially from her black satin bag for the purpose, and feeling particularly venomous at be
- 209 "I pitched upon the bridal eve of Theodore for that of his death, and the seizure of his bride; and hired the leader of a band of ruffians to a.s.sist me in the scheme. The fatal night, so big with horror, at last arrived. The sun sank sullenly into
- 210 "Very seldom, sir," replied mine host; "for ye see she doesna fin hersel quite at hame yet amang us; but she'll come to by and by, I've nae doot.""And she is not easy of access, you say--no chance of one being able to th
- 211 "I have heard the queen say so, my lord," replied the chamberlain. "She has spoken of him in my hearing as a poet.""Ah! the same, the same," said the earl; "but how obtained he access to the queen, know ye?""Th
- 212 "Your insinuation is rude, my lord," replied the queen, haughtily; and, without vouchsafing any other remark, walked away to the further end of the apartment, leaving the earl and Chatelard together.Murray now saw, from the perfectly composed an
- 213 "Did she?" exclaimed Chatelard, eagerly, and with such a look of inquiry and doubt as greatly disappointed the a.s.serter. "You know who I mean, then; but how know ye that which you have just now said? a.s.sure me that ye speak true, Choiss
- 214 "Ye will forgive me, David," said she, "for the remark I hae dune ye great injustice; for how is it possible to conceive that sae guid a man could be sae nearly related to a monster? But ye hae to explain to me the change o name. How hae yo
- 215 Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland.by Various.Volume 10 THE FIRST-FOOT.Notwithstanding the shortness of their days, the bitterness of their frosts, and the fury of their storms, December and January are merry months. First comes old Christ
- 216 "I am, your lords.h.i.+p," answered the author."You are!--you!" said his lords.h.i.+p, "you the author of _the Defence_?Impertinent fool! had not you the idea from me? Am not I to pay for it?The work is mine!" So saying, he r
- 217 "Money will make any man stoop, fair Anne," replied Peter. "I have heard the back armour of the bravest knight of the lists crack with the bow to Mammon, as loud as when he knelt to the peac.o.c.k. A merchant knows the science of provisos,
- 218 Bruce was now on the ladder. He stopped suddenly, and gazed for a moment at the riband on the top of the escalade. Anne's voice met his ear."Come on, come on, brave warriors," she said, in a low tone."Who art thou, in Heaven's nam
- 219 Anne threw back her veil, and, with her face uncovered, cast herself at the feet of Bruce. The a.s.sembled lords fixed their eyes upon the damsel, as she occupied a position which exhibited the graces of her perfect figure, and the intelligence of her bea
- 220 I know not that any one has rightly described a first love. It is not the love of man and woman, though that be fervent and terrible--it is not the love of mere boy and girlhood, though that be disinterested and engrossing--but it is the love of the perio
- 221 THE MEETING AT ST BOSWELL'S.It is now some years since I happened to visit the pretty little village of St Boswell's, in Roxburghs.h.i.+re, in company with a friend, who had some stock to dispose of at the great annual fair then holding there.Mo
- 222 "'Parbleu! he is one clevare man, that capitane! He most be var weak after lose one boat's crew, and yet how he manage his sheep skeelfully!'Tis almost peety not let him rone away; bote I mos catch heem--he cannot escape long.' Wh
- 223 "'Not I, Rodney.'"'My eyes!' muttered the old man to himself, 'to think of a man coming to his years, and not knowing how to make lobskous! Why, sir, axing yer pardon, yer edication must have been sadly neglected.'&
- 224 or "ashes from the burning mountains." But, on the occasion to which we refer, there was an exhibition in the shape of a theatrical booth, which presented extraordinary attractions for May Darling; and, accordingly, after deliberately balancing
- 225 "Henry," she said, holding up their child, and stretching forth her arms--"Henry, look on this dear pledge of our affection, the child of love, though born in bitterness and tears, the offspring of your choice--look on him, Henry, and let t
- 226 and to another, "Where's my jacket?"Then my faither would have cried out again, "_I'll seek_ it for ye!"Then I soon found it, and got out o' the house wi' the rest o' them.It was precisely the same thing when m
- 227 "Ay!" said she, "had ye keepit your tryst at such a time, and at such a place, nae doubt this would have been the day; but ye couldna be fashed to keep it then--and I canna be fashed now.""Oh, confound it!" cried I; "Isa
- 228 The reign of the ill.u.s.trious Malcolm III., surnamed Canmore, King of Scotland, which began in the year 1057, was not more distinguished for heroism and literature than for love. He was both a religious and a valiant king, and was often victorious again
- 229 Soon after the royal marriage, preparations were made for the queen's coronation (King David having been crowned when he ascended the throne), and the royal pair, with the court, proceeded to Scone Palace for that purpose.It was a fine morning in the
- 230 What shall he do? Shall he part with one? and if so, which of the two?No; the idea is torment to him--he cannot for a moment entertain it. He will save both, or perish in the attempt. He sinks, and rises, and sinks again, with his precious burden. The wat
- 231 "The never a doubt on't, madam," rejoined Mr Caleb. "Loneliness is poor company; and I would marry to-morrow, were it for nothing else than to produce some stir of life in my deserted house.""And, for society's sake, I w
- 232 THE IMPRUDENT MARRIAGE.Serjeant Square again resumed the narrative of his adventures:-- There is a strange feeling, that every reflecting person must have often been conscious of, accompanying the idea of time. We feel as if in contact with the past, as f
- 233 But to proceed:-- "After your father's death, I felt the most solitary of men for many months. Still I continued to do my duty as a private soldier, without taking any interest in surrounding events. About two years after my arrival, a revolt br
- 234 "It's very true, la.s.sie," said James; "but, if we hae nae bairn to carry meal, we hae nane to eat it--let's aye be content, woman."James was soon provided with a clean linen bag, which he deposited in his pocket; and, cross
- 235 the deep sonorous sound of a well-blown horn fell upon his ears, and roused him to fresh exertions. He had crossed the burn and clambered to the top of the bank before the blast had ceased; and, as he endeavoured to fix the direction of the sound, the hor
- 236 "That's weel thocht on," said James. "I canna say but ye hae sometimes a gliffin o' sense aboot ye, Nanny."The stranger soon recovered so far as to be able to put off his own clothes; and though he remonstrated strongly again
- 237 Thus died that remarkable man. A dark story now arose in Scotland: Countess Margaret had encouraged a criminal pa.s.sion for the English baron, John Russel, and was openly accused of having poisoned her husband, by means of a posset of milk and sack, to m
- 238 Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland.by Various.Volume 11 THE DOMINIE'S CLa.s.s.[A]"Their ends as various as the roads they take In journeying through life."There is no cla.s.s of men to whom the memory turns with more complac
- 239 All my efforts were o' no avail. I could get him to learn nothing, and to comprehend nothing. Often I had half made up my mind to turn him awa from the school, for I saw that I never would have any credit by the blockhead. But what was most annoying
- 240 The deacon, however, did almost immediately wait upon the boxmaster, and got him to adjourn to a tavern in the Lawnmarket, at that time much frequented by the members of the incorporation. They had scarcely seated themselves when the superior official ope
- 241 "I repent o't," replied Andrew, with dry lips, and a gurgling of the throat, as if he had been on the eve of choking."Then, I fancy," continued Mrs Jean Todd, "ye would like yer name back again?""Ou ay--surely,"
- 242 "He apprised me o' the danger I stood in," replied the boxmaster, "anent Templeton's bill, that's in the corporation box. I had forgotten the date o' its becomin due, and he brocht it to my mind.A's safe yet."T
- 243 "A pair of friends, though one was young, And Matthew seventy-two."Linked closer and closer together by these sweet natural ties, they were happy, and their affection was the grateful theme of all the inhabitants of the valley.A little incident
- 244 On arriving at Glasgow, which, although a distance of nearly forty miles from the spot where we first introduced them to the reader, they made out with perfect ease on the evening of the same day on which they left their native village, the young men repa
- 245 "Do your duty, sir!" he said, waving his hand impatiently as a signal to M'Intyre to return to his place, and stepping a pace or two away from him as he spoke. "Do your duty, sir, or I'll compel you; I'll have you in the same
- 246 "Whisht! whisht! Back, Davy, back!" (The two professional gentlemen were ensconced in a close or entry directly opposite Mr Willoughby's garden-gate.) "Back, Davy, back!" said Howison. "There's somebody comin. I hear fol
- 247 "I wadna hae shown you that," he continued, as I sat down, "but that it is my wish to tell you the warst; for nae man can expect a.s.sistance, if he is ashamed or afraid to show his necessities and his danger. I didna send for you to cure m
- 248 "Hold, sir!--hold!" cried the roused man. "You now speak daggers to me! I could hae borne this when you were here last; but ye hae unmanned me--ye hae made me familiar wi' him, the king o' terrors, wha waits for me. I know him in
- 249 "Dinna vex yersel owre sair, Jock," said she, "though Lizzie's awa wi'anither lad; when he leaves her, I'll warrant she'll be glad to see ye again.""The deil confound her and her lads baith!" said Jock, hi
- 250 "Na, na," rejoined the other; "it was you--it was Nelly Kilgour. Oh, I'll never forget its words!--and if ye winna tak pity on me, what am I to do?""Ye needna speer what ye're to do at me," said Nelly; "but it
- 251 "It's a dizziness i' my head, woman," was the reply. "I've never been mysel since that illness I had afore the term. Thae curious turns come owre me aye, noo and then," she continued, her voice sinking and saddening as s
- 252 THE SMUGGLER.The golden days of the smuggler are gone by; his hiding-places are empty; and, like Oth.e.l.lo, he finds his "occupation gone." Our neighbours on the other side of the herring-pond now bring us _dry bones_, according to the law, ins
- 253 "Smash, man!" rejoined Harry; "wad you sit here on your hunkers, while your capital is in danger o' being robbed frae ye as simply as ye would snuff out a candle, and a' to escape a night's doukin! Get up, man--get a boat--we
- 254 "Now, sir," said he, as he set him down from his shoulders on an arm-chair, "ye needna be under the smallest apprehension, for every attention shall be paid ye here; and, as soon as ye are better, ye shall be at liberty to return, safe and
- 255 "No," said Harry, sternly; "wouldst tamper with my child's heart, when her trusting in thee would place my life in thy power? Say no more--I won't hear thee," he continued, again raising the pistol in his hand.Augustus, findi
- 256 THE SCHOOLFELLOWS.A few years ago, I happened to pa.s.s through the main street of Carlisle, just as the south mail had "pulled up" at the door of "The Bush." The night was very cold; the horses were tossing their heads, and pawing the
- 257 "Let me see you often, my young friend," said the captain; "I should like to become better acquainted with you. We always pipe to breakfast at nine o'clock, and to dinner at three. I hate your late sh.o.r.e hours.Come whenever you are
- 258 The scene around us was now dreary and desolate in the extreme: the sky was dark, gloomy, and threatening; light, angry-looking, discoloured clouds flitted over it, like spirits disturbed, while overhead the scud careered with lightning-like rapidity; the
- 259 Of the warriors from Fife, every man perished; but their price was a costly sacrifice of the boldest lives in England. The streets ran deep with blood; and, independent of slaughtered enemies, the mangled and lifeless bodies of seventeen thousand of the i
- 260 Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland.by Various.Volume 12 THE SCOTTISH HUNTERS OF HUDSON'S BAY.The gloom of a boisterous winter evening was settling over one of the wild, inhospitable tracts which lie to the north of the St Lawrence. Th
- 261 THE WEDDING.On a certain vacation-day of August, of which I have still a vivid recollection, I fished in Darr Water; and with so much success, that night had gathered over me ere I was aware. I was at this moment fully fifteen miles from home, in a locali
- 262 But the blinds were still kept up. He paced on a little further, and, seeing that no answer was returned to his application, repeated the rap a little louder than before."Who's there?" cried a rough voice."A friend," answered Mike
- 263 "You have often, in playfulness, mocked me, Mike," answered she, "and turned the inquiries of my love into questions to myself, by the force of your Scottish humour; but I bear faith that you never told me a lie.Yet, when I think of the mys
- 264 "The plain Scotch o' a' this English, Mike," said Lewie, "is, that the la.s.sie is determined to hang ye, as a repayment for a' the kisses ye were at the trouble to gie her in the holms o' Netherwood; and, after ye'
- 265 "What mean you?" said the captain."Do ye no recollect," said Lewis, "o' giein a man on a black mare twenty guineas to mak a red-herrin drag across the nose o' Mr Anson?""I do," said the captain; "but
- 266 "Vessels large may venture more, But little boats should keep near sh.o.r.e."And he further said, "I am but serving my time yet; we must creep before we walk."Never was any man who prospered in the affairs of this world more diligent i
- 267 Priscilla was stupified, and she repeated the word "Away!" but the truth broke over me in a moment; and I sank back into a chair, as helpless, for all the world, as a new-born infant.Rachel tried to compose herself the best way she could; and sh
- 268 I communicated the tidings of his death and his repentance of his conduct towards her; and she received them meekly, but wept as the remembrance of young affection touched her heart.Such, sir, is an account of my speculations, and the losses and crosses w
- 269 "'Very fine, sir; steady breeze, smooth water; every st.i.tch of sail set that will draw.'"'Take in all your small sails, sir, as fast as you can; the gla.s.s has fallen considerably since I turned in; we are going to have a breez
- 270 "Eh! What?" returned he, gradually uncoiling himself, till his little thick legs were stretched to their full length (shortness, I should say), and his sharp twinkling eyes stared full up in my face. "So it _is_! Give me your hand, my boy--
- 271 Time hurried on; and the new proprietor of Inshannock had begun to feel the effect of its rapid transit: he was no longer the vigorous man of forty; and as he pa.s.sed towards the period of threescore, the effects of age told severely upon him.For a serie
- 272 "I betrayed my friend. He perished, not by my hands, but by my fault; and from that moment deep remorse has filled my bosom: but of that no more. A sense of justice induces me to act decisively. Reginald Grahame had a son."Roderick rose from his
- 273 "Oscar, twice you have saved me; and your last service was greater than your first. Henceforward we never part."The rest of the journey was accomplished with speed and safety. The glen of Benvorlich was reached. Two days afterwards the king'
- 274 The jury--being composed in the manner usual with ordinary Canongate juries--gave themselves little trouble in cross-examination; and, as almost uniformly occurs, served the claimant in terms of his brief, and thus invested him with the legal status of so
- 275 "Ha! you're warden's men, then," said the freebooter, alarmed at the discovery that he was in the hands of the dreaded enemy of his profession, and becoming instantly more calm and subdued in his manner."Weel, there's nae hel
- 276 Leaving Lorimer thus creditably employed, we return to follow, for a time, the fortunes of Mr Wotherspoon. It has been said that, during several years succeeding his marriage, Mr Wotherspoon continued to prosper, and to deserve his prosperity--and it was
- 277 "He said, sir, as I told you before, he did not care to meet with you again, lest you should bother him with questions.""Very well, very well--that'll do, my man," replied Mr Moffat, who now felt convinced that he had got a clue t
- 278 She was hurriedly occupied in drying up her tears, and removing the signs of grief."You have been weeping, Miss Milford," I said; "is it for your aunt?""Forbid that I should require to weep for her!" she cried, starting, as i
- 279 "Is not that a dreadful sight, sir?" whispered Mrs G---- in my ear, with a woful countenance. "He has stood in that awful position since six o'clock this morning. He can come no speed; and see you how his apprentices are biting their l
- 280 He was to sail from Leith, and his trunk had been sent to Hawick to be forwarded by the carrier. Adam was to leave his mother's house early on the following morning; and on the evening preceding his departure he paid his farewell visit to the manse.
- 281 Bet creeps beside me, unco dour.I clap her back, and say, "My dawtie!"Quo' she, "Weel, weel, my pa.s.sion's owre; But dinna gang a-drinkin, Watty."'""Bravo, Scotchy!" shouted one. "Your health and son
- 282 "Jamie," said she, "ye maunna tak that view o' yer situation. This cottage, and a' that is in it, is yer ain. Ye'll no begrudge me my room in it for a' my time; and yer cousin has saved some pounds for this happy meeting
- 283 "Mercy on us!" said Nelly, looking wonderingly and anxiously in his face, "what ails the callant? Speak, my bonny man! What ails ye?""Gie's a sowp water," said John Graham--"I'm amaist deed."The water seem
- 284 "Oh, shes safe at the end o her journey," replied Archy, wi a kind o laugh that sounded unco like a groan. "Puir body," said Nance, "she maun hae been sair wearied; but, Archy, ye maun hae been maist blawn awa wi that awesome wind
- 285 Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland.by Various.Volume 13 THE UNKNOWN.In the year 1785, a young and beautiful woman, whose dress and features bespoke her to be a native of Spain, was observed a few miles beyond Ponteland, on the road which l
- 286 and look in her face and wonder what he meant to have said; and she would answer him, "Christopher!" Still did those days haunt the recollection of the simple girl; and as she grew in years and stature, his remembrance became the more entwined a
- 287 It is a trite saying, that female beauty seldom brings happiness to the possessor, even when it is combined with that goodness that ought to guard the children of virtue from the evils of life; and this was to some extent verified by almost the first of t
- 288 The words, which had an ironical virulence in them, unbecoming the station of the man, wrung a wail from the accused maiden, which, m.u.f.fled by the bedclothes she had wrapped round her head, sounded like the waning voice of the departing spirit; and the
- 289 Poor Johnnie! if a tear of grat.i.tude can gratify anything that lives, bearing the most distant relations.h.i.+p to thee, that tear has now been shed. Heaven has long been merciful to the poor Innocent.But the frantic idiot who now struggles against the
- 290 "Why, sir, the bees are, 'pon honour, sir, they are as large as your sheep in this country.""Why, then, one would require to keep a pretty sharp look-out ahead, in case of a near encounter with such a winged monster.""Not at
- 291 "THE SIMPERING IDIOT"with an everlasting smile on her countenance. "Poor mamma was so ill!--he--he--he! we really thought she would have died--he! But then Dr Blister was so attentive and funny. Oh la!--oh la! how he did laugh, and made suc
- 292 "It's a story," replied he, the tears still standing in his eyes, "that Andrew here has been tellin me, aboot the minister o' Kirkfodden and his servant la.s.s--and a very guid ane it is. Andrew, will I tell it?" he added, tu
- 293 The gla.s.ses, which had thus been scientifically filled, having been again emptied, the landlord suddenly fixed his look on another of his guests, who was sitting up in one of the furthest corners, by the fireside, and to whom his attention had been dire
- 294 "Mr Gas," said Walter Gibson, one of the most extensive traders and most respectable men in the company--"Mr Gas," he said--for they all addressed him as their chairman--"these are a' queer aneugh stories in their way that ha
- 295 On gainin some distance, both master and man drew bridle, and laughed heartily at the adventure wi' the auld wife o' the Nether Mill.Aweel, shortly after, his lords.h.i.+p embarked for Holland with a part o'his regiment--the remainder, amon
- 296 "Go!" said he, stamping his foot, and placing the money in her hand--"go! I order you."They knew his temper, that he was not to be thwarted, and Rebecca obeyed. He continued to walk across the floor with the same stride of importance;
- 297 said he twenty times during breakfast, as he held the paper in his hand, and twenty times read the announcement--"Arrived at ---- Hotel, Albemarle Street, A. Donaldson, Esq., of Luck's Lodge, and family, from their seat in the north." But t
- 298 Peter was generally admitted to be a young man of great talents, and bade fair to rise to eminence in his profession as an artist. There was to be an exhibition of the works of living artists in Edinburgh; and Peter went through to it, taking with him mor
- 299 "You forget, dear, that James must have a learned lady--one who has attained the _tongues_.--What say you, Mr Brown, to a _bluestocking_?""White lamb's-wool, sir, or blue jacey, are both alike to me," says I, laughing at his droll
- 300 "Six years have come and gane, Willie, Since first I met with you; And through each chequer'd scene I've been Affectionate and true.But now my yearning heart must a'Its cherish'd hopes resign; For never on this side the grave Can