Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland, Volume 20
General
Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland, Volume 20
Scottish Borders (Scotland) -- Fiction
Now, Peter Paterson had been several days in Liverpool anxiously
inquiring for Captain Graham, but without obtaining any information of
him or of his daughter, or where they dwelt. Again and again he had
wandered along the docks; and he was disconsolately passing up Sparling
Street, when the loud revelry of the seamen in the boarding-house
attracted his attention. It reminded him of old associations; he paused
for a moment, and glanced upon the house and, as the pealing laughter
ceased, a low, sweet voice, pouring forth a simple Scottish air, reached
his ear. Peter now stood still. He listened--"That voice!" he exclaimed
audibly, and he shook as he spoke. He looked down towards the
cellar--the ticket in the window caught his eye. He read the words, "_A
Girl's School kept here, by_ A. GRAHAM." "I have found her!" he cried,
clasping his hands together. He rushed down the few steps, he stood in
the midst of them--"I have found her!" he repeated, as he entered. His
voice fell like a sunbeam on the cheerless heart of the fair vocalist.
"Peter!--My own"----she exclaimed, starting to her feet. She could not
utter more; she would have fallen to the ground, but Peter caught her in
his arms.
I need not describe the scene that followed: that night they left the
hovel which had served as a grave for their misfortunes. Within a week
they had arrived at Foxlaw, and within a week old and young in the
village danced at a joyful wedding. I may only add, that, a few weeks
after his marriage, Peter read in the papers an advertisement,
headed--"UPSET PRICE GREATLY REDUCED.--_Desirable Property in the
neighbourhood of Foxlaw, &c._" It was the very farm now offered for sale
of which Peter was to have become a tenant some twelve years before, and
was the remnant of the estates of the hopeful Laird Horslie; and Peter
became the purchaser. The old skipper regained his wonted health and
cheerfulness; and Betty Paterson lived to tell her grandchildren, "she
aye said their faither wad be a gentleman, and her words cam true." Even
the old schoolmaster, who had styled him "Ne'er-do-weel Peter," said, he
"had aye predicted o' Mr Paterson, even when a callant, that he would
turn out an extraordinary man."
THE HEROINE.
A LEGEND OF THE CANONGATE.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account