Places > Book of remembrance for Tweeddale > Parish of West Linton

•90 THE BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE FOR TWEEDDALE.
news conveyed in your letter. We both liked your boy extremely
much, and we were specially interested when he seemed to continue
his association with us by entering the City Analyst's Department,
and I looked forward to continuing that friendship which had been
casually made, and I think pleasantly sustained on both sides. My
chief sorrow now is that I did not see more of him or have greater
opportunities of closer friendship with him. I seem now to have
known him so well as to feel a very deep sense of personal loss, and
very sincere grief I assure you at the very sad news. For yourself
and Mrs Halley I have the greatest possible sympathy: a fine young
life full of greatest promise, sacrificed to the wretched avarice of an
evil country. I well remember talking to him in the train of the
prospects of his becoming a soldier, and I think I see now his face
brightened up in expectation of that event. He was a willing soldier
then, and full of expectancy and determination to take his part with
others in this great conflict. I appreciate very much indeed your
kindness in sending to me the sad news, and wish to thank both
you and Mrs Halley for the very kind thought that prompted you to
send me such a beautiful photograph of the lad I remember so well.
I shall treasure this and his memory."
Lines written by Lieutenant Halley w/ieti t7t France.
I'm far frae hame and lanely,
My hert's whiles fu' o' waes ;
But my thochts aye turn tae Linton,
Where I spent my childhood's days.
Gey aften after schule hoors,
I wad wander up the burn,
An' wonder whiles if Burns was richt,
That " Man was made to mourn."
I loved thae scenes in childhood.
And though in a foreign land.
The distance ne'er can sever
That ever-tugging hand.
Perhaps I shall return again,
And once more freely roam
Through the dells and grassy woodlands
O' my far-off Scottish home.
But maybe no ! My earthly race
May very soon be run!
Then God give me the strength to say —
"O Lord! Thy will be done!"
Farewell ! my bonnie little toon.
And try your tears to quell.
From tliis dark bloody battlefield,
I send my last farewell.