omed the Highlander: even the little children ran to
meet him; and how heartily he did kiss them, but whether for their own
sakes or the love he bore to their nurses, sisters, or aunts, none
could tell. This, however, is certain: he did not encourage the
shoemaker's sister, the tailor's daughter, nor the buxom widow who
presided at the little inn. His affections were concentrated on a lady
whom one could scarcely expect to yield her heart to such a humble son
of Mars. The fair one was no less a personage than the daughter of
Captain B---- of U----, a lady well known for miles around for her
courage and love of out-door sports. Few could manage a high-spirited
horse better than Rose Bloomer (by this name we introduce the young
lady to our readers), or clear a fence with greater ease. And as for
the fishing-rod and fowling-piece, she could handle them as
dexterously as any disciple of Isaac Walton or of Nimrod could desire.
True, she was not what is generally termed a beauty: her features,
though not coarse, were scarcely those a sculptor or a painter would
desire to have before him while completing his "Venus" for the next
fine-art exhibition. In her short stout figure and determined look
were indications of a strong-minded woman. Miss Bloomer, having lost
her mother in early life, and her father being devoted to the chase,
pedestrianism, and other athletic sports congenial to most country
gentlemen, the young lady, his only child, had ample scope for
indulging her inclinations.

Sergeant Campbell greatly admired Miss Bloomer's dexterity. Often did
he watch her guidance of a high-mettled steed, now urging it to its
utmost speed, and then reining in the impatient animal. The sergeant,
we have said, greatly admired Miss Bloomer's dexterity; but, what is
more, he resolved to secure her hand in marriage. Plan after plan,
laid with the view of obtaining an introduction, failed. The lady
frequently passed him without deigning to cast her eyes on his
red-coat. Why should she? Was he not a poor soldier? and was she not a
match for the best young gentleman in the county? These and like
questions occurred to Campbell, and more than once made him almost
despair of securing the lady's affections. Again and again his
drooping spirits revived; his pertinacity had no bounds. What could
not be secured, thought he, by ordinary means, might be obtained by
extraordinary measures.

Sergeant Campbell, learned in the superstitions of his na