The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1837-12-13
SELECTED TALES.
Lady Lucy's Petition.
A TALE FOUNDED ON FAcIs.


And is my papa shut up in this dismal
place, to which you are taking me, nurse =
asked the Lady Lucy Preston, raising her
eyes fearfully to the iower of London, as
the coach IN which she was seated with
Amy Gradwell, her nurse, drove under the
gateway. She trembled, and hid her face
in Amy's cloak, when they alighted, aud
she saw the soldiers with their crossed par
tizans, before the portals of that part of the
fortress where the prisoners of State were
confined, and where her own father, Lord
Preston, of whom she was come to take
her last farewell, was then confined, under
sentence of death.
Yes, my dear child returned Amy,
sorrowfuly, My Lord, your father, is in-
deed within these sad walls. You are now
going TO visit him. Shall you be afraid OF
entering this place, my dearl
"No,' replied Lndy Lucy, resolutely 1
am not afraid of going TO any place where
my dear papa is
Yet she cluDg closer TO the arms of her
attendant, as they were admitted into the
gloomy precincts of the building, and her
little heart fuuered fearfully MS she glanced
nurse: WAS il not here that the two
young princes, Edward the Fifth, and his
brother Richard. Duke of York, were
murdered by their cruel uncle Richard,
Duke Of Gloucester?
Yes, my love, il was but do not be
alarmed on that account, for no one will
harm YOU SAID old Amy, in an encourag-
ing tone.
And was not good King Henry the
Sixth murdered here, also, by that same
wicked Richard Z continued the little girl,
whose Imagination was full of the records
of deeds of bInod that had been perpetra-
ted in this fatally celebrated place, many of
which had been related to her 10y Bridget
HoIdworth, the housekeeper, since her faith
er had been imprisoned in the tower, on the
charge of high-ireason.
But do you think they will murder
papa, nursel' pursued the child, as they
ascended the stairs leading to the apart
ment in which the unfortunate nobleman
was confined.
Husr! hush dear child, you must not
talk of these things here,' said Amy, or
they will shut us both up in u room with
bolts aud bars, instead of admitting us to
see my Lord, your father
Lady Lucy pressed closer to her nurses
side, and was silent till they were ushered
into the room where her father was con-
fined, when forgetting every thing else in
her Joy at seeing him again, she sprang in
to his arms, and almost stifled HIM with
her kisses. Lord Preston was greatly af-
fected at the sight of his little daughter,
and overcome by her passionate demon
STATIONS of fondness. his own anguish at
the ,hongIn of his approaching separation
from her, and the idea of leaving her an
orphan at her tender age, (for she had on
ly Just completed her ninth year, and had
lost her moiher,) he cnsped her to his bo-
som. and redewed her innocent face with
his iears.
why do you cry, dear papa Z asked
the innocent child. who was herself weep
ing ut the sight of his distress. Aud why
will YOU not leave this gloomy place, and
come home to your own hall again 2
Attend to me. Lucy, and will tell you
the cause Of my grief said the father, seat
ing the little girl on his knee: shall new
er come again, for have been condemned
for high treason, which means AL offence
against the King, and shall not leave this
place I'LL they bring me firth on Tower
hill, where they will cut off my head with a
sharp axe, and set 1t up afterwards over
Temple bar or London bridge
Al this terrible intelligence, Lady Lucy
screamed aloud, and Ind her face in her
fathers bosom, which she wetted with her
tears. :.
BE composed, my dear child said
Lord Preston, for have much to say To
you, und we msy never meet again on this
side of the grave .
mo, no dear papa, cried she, they
,bsII not hill you. for will cling so fast TO
YOUR neck that they shall not be able to
cut your head off; and | will tell them all
how good and kind you are, and then they
will no, wsni to kill you.
NV dearest love, this is sll simple talk
inc, said Lord Preston. have offended
agninu the Law, IS it is at pFese'u estab-
Ished, by trying tn have my old master,
K;oy LANES, restored To the throne, and
tb.rrf.r, 4 must die. Do you remember,
Lucy, I took you once to whitehall TO see
Kmr James, aud how kindly he spoke TO
your
oh. yes. papa! and recollect he lad
bic hand on my head, and said ! was IKE
what hs dansh the Princess Of Orange
wss at my sge.' replied Lady Lucy, with
great snimstisn.
Wei, my child, very shortly after you
ssw KiuS Js-ss At Whii.ssIi. the PriDcs