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| HELEN WALKER |
| aka Jeannie Deans (1710
- 1791) |
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Remember
this name. It may come in handy the next time you have some
time to kill in Edinburgh. Bugger the history; FirstFoot is
talking about a great spit 'n sawdust boozer up Causewayside
(behind the Polis station). The howff is called Jeannie Deans.
Immortalised as "Jeannie Deans"
by Sir Walter Scott in his novel "The Heart of Midlothian",
Helen Walker was a farmer's daughter, originally from Kirkudbrightshire
(see "").
When her younger sister, Isabella, was accused
of infanticide, religious belief and a strong moral streak
prevented Helen Walker from committing the perjury which could
have saved her sister's bacon. Unfortunately for Isabella,
this meant that she got lumbered with a death sentence.
Ah, but hang oan the noo. Helen wisnae finished.
She walked to London to plead for her sister's life. It took
14 days (to walk, not to plead). She was successful and her
sister was spared the noose.
FirstFoot can't help thinking that it would
have been better for all concerned if Helen Walkerhad told
a wee porkie in the first place. But, that's women for you.
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