The Original Jeanie Deans

The original of Jeanie Deans in Sir Walter Scott's "Heart of Mid-Lothian" was Helen Walker, a young Scotch girl. She was left an orphan with the charge of a sister considerably younger than herself, whom she maintained and educated by her own exertions.

Attached to her by so many ties, it will not be hard to conceive Jeanie Deans's feelings when she found that this only sister must be tried by the laws of her country for child-murder, and that she was called as principal witness against her. It was impossible for her to swear to a falsehood, and by her testimony her sister was found guilty and condemned to death.

By the laws of Scotland, six weeks must elapse between the pronouncing of a sentence and its execution.

On the very day of her sister's condemnation, Helen Walker had a petition drawn up, stating the peculiar circumstances of the case, and set out on foot for London.

Arrived there, she presented her petition to the Duke of Argyle, who was so much impressed with her bravery and devotion to her sister, that he procured the pardon she asked for; and Helen returned with it just in time to save her sister's life.

The lady from whom Sir Walter Scott obtained this story, Mrs. Goldie, was extremely anxious to have a tombstone, with an appropriate inscription upon it, raised to the memory of Helen Walker; and she requested Scott to write the inscription, which request he willingly complied with.

The tombstone with his inscription may be seen in the churchyard of Iron Gray, about six miles from Dumfries, Scotland, where Helen Walker lies buried.