Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1841-02-05
From the Graham's Na-r>n-
THE MINISTER'S DAUGHTER

III was inc year 1OJZ, memorable one,
and as sad as memo' able in the history Of the
British colonies OF North America. How
many spirits were hurried, Gre God had called
them, to their dread account, during its brief
progress. Superstition ruled in the land,
perhaps in the most singular garb il has ever
worn, and scores and hundreds were its vic
times. Agnes Danvcrs sat alone in the dwell
ling of her only paren, with her head bowed
upon her hand IN the bitterness Of early ser
row. She had wcpt beside the grave of her
mother, and seen three brave and kind heart
ed brothers laid to rest in the dawn of man
hood, but they all had died smtten by the
hand of their Creator, and passed from earth
in peace and hope. She had watched be.
and virtue from their parting hour for her
future life. Time had healed the wound
their death had given, and though she che
rishcd their memories still in undimmcd
brightness, the smile had returned to her lip,
the sunshine to her pathway. Her father
yet survived, and him she loved and reve-
renccd only less than God. But on the
evening on which we would introduce her to
the reader, that father had been arrested on
the charge Of sorccrv and committed to
gloomy prison, there to await trial whose
issue was scarcely doubtful, for many quite
as innocent as he, had been condemned and
executed. Agnes had clung to him in terror
and distraction, cntrcating TO be taken in his
stead, and then pctilioning TO accompany
him, but her appeals were vain; and she sat
IN her dcsolate home believing herself aban-
doned by every earthly friend, for such was
the horror and panic which pcrvadod all clas-
scs OF that little community, relative to the
prevalence Of witchcraft, that the dwelling
whence one poor victim was taken was
prescribed place. Those who doubted the
guilt of the accused, yet feared 10 mplica,c
themselves, by manlfcstine particular SYM
pathy with the sufferers. Perchance the
unfortunate situation of Mr.. Danvers result
ed principally from lis exception from such
apprehcnSions. With a mind more enllght-
encd to detect error than was fen found at
that infatuated period, he had as Christian
minister seduously cndcavorcd to rcnd the
veil from the understandings of his parishio-
ners, and expose the absurdity of the popular
opinion. Ills efforts, alas had proved fatal
even while they partially ded.-Many
OF his hearers were convinced, bu. their con-
viclion and its consequent effects, attracted
suspicion towards themselves, and numbers
were imprisoned, and not few were put TO
death. The sympathy of Mr.. Danvcrs was
not Withdrawn in their hour of need, and
fearless of consequences to himself, re dis
charged the duties fhis office faithfully, un-
I'll public excitement reached such height
mat ne become its most prosecuted victim.
His daughter had naturally imbibcd his SEN
tlmcnts, and possessed sufficient strength of
Character ID have avowed them, had not her
fathers love for her induced him in this one
instance to yield to prudential motives, and
contrary to the general opcnness of his tenn
per, he babe her be silent on the subject and
make no effort to influence the belief of her
associates, lest she should attract attention
to herself. In society so mhammable as
that whose proceedings We are now recording
triileS light as air, were sufficient 10 produce
moral ignition, and the fathers attempts tc
shield his child from danger were Construed
into combinations strong of his gull. Afiel
his arrest many could rccollcc hours passed
IN converse on the strange effects of witch
craft, in which Agnes DanvcrS, though pre-.
sent, took no part. One cGull remcn,bc
that she looked sorrowlul, another that she
was indignant, some that the color on heI
cheek frequently varied, and that she woult
begin 10 speak, and check herself ere sb,
uttered a sentence.
every thing proves" thought they, "tha
the poor girl knew her father practced thos,
black arts, and loving him as she did, it wa
natural she should desire to conceal tn,
truth"
"You seem much ntercsted-dll talking a
once. May know the subject of your dis
course 2" asked young man of handsom,
figure. and frank and noble countenance
stepping suddenly into the midst of grou,
of these disclaimers on the msfortunes o
Agnes Danvcrs, composed of some of hc
most intimate female acquaintance. S,
occupied had they been in the Interchange o
their several conlectures that l.e had entered
the room unobscrved.
ooh! Mr.. Dudley, are you here? Il i.
so dark, ] heard you had gone on a visit ia
your uncle" exclaimed Sarah Darrell, in