Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1850-05-30

! er at the bar. what say You? will you
venture to deny the charge %
:" Will deny the -" He was
interrupted by crash of thunder that
shook the whole house, and was follow
ed by one universal shout of horror
from the multitude, rushing together,
and falling upon their knees and covering
their faces, " will | deny the charge p
Yes. that l will and that do /! Let
my accusers appear Let the grave
open before mel am not afraid. II
they but wear the blessed features of
them that loved while on earth, shall
but tremble with joy to meet them.
| Another similar outcry-and 10! the
afflicted began sore ming that the ap-
partitions had actually Ike pit their promise
accepted the challenge-and were
standing face to face with the prisoner!
For long tima nothing could be
heard but shr;eks of horror, and the
loud voices of the constables trying to
make themselves heard.
| At last, willing to hear what Bur-
roughs would say one of the Judges
asked him what hindered those people
from giving their testimony-for they
had all been seized with fitafter fit, while
proceeding with their testimony
| ~ do not know" was the reply, az
am utterly COMPOUNDED with their be-
havior. 1t may be the devil"
i All, said the judge, and why is the
devil so 10th to have testimony borne
against you? answer me that" Where
upon, says an eye witness, the pris-
oner was cast into great confusion. -
! Here the trial ended The minds of
the jury were made up for though he
spoke in a way that made everybody
about him shudder, for what they called
the mis- application Of his mighty power,
and although he gave up to the judges a
written argument Of great vigor and
beauty, which is yet preserved among
the records of that people, he was
found guilty, and straightway condemns
ed to death-nay, for a time, it was
a question whether he should not be
burned alive or stoned to death
He showed no sort of emotion. He
made no sort Of reply. He neither
moved nor spoke till he saw the women
gather about place where Elizabeth
Dyer sat, and lift her up and carry her
forth into the air, as if she were dead
creature, followed with firclocks and
drawn swords. Then, and for the first
time, he was moved but then he saw
Rachel Dyer stand up, and heard her
say to the judges, Let mo be tried, |
entrcat ye, oh judges Of Israel, before
the maid be brought back ! Let lIer be
kept away, beseech ye; if--f'--her
voice quavered for an instant here; if
her presence be not required by the law"
Let it be so, was the answer from
the bench. Proceed"
But why stop to detail process, the
result of which everybody foresaw and
foreknew Enough to say that she was
found guilty Ike the others.
Judgement was pronounced forthwith,
and she was ordered for execution with.
in thee days. e 5 as..e.s
Elizabeth Dyer was then put to the
bar but half dead with terror, and SO
alarmingly i'll, they concluded to have
her trial put off, and allow her TO have
a short interview with her sister.
The two wretched young women met
once more and but once before they
were to be separated for ever, and when
they did separate it was separation like
that of death. They had no hope of
ever meeting again on earth. Poor
Elizabeth was quite speeches. but her
large blue eyes were turned up to the
face OF Rachel, as if to implore con
sideration Of her dying prayer. eff it
may be" said Rachel, eff it may be,
dear Elizabeth, it shall be. Have eour-
age. Be pep red forth worst, willie
hoping for the best, however and now
farewell! my dear, dear sister-we shall
not see one another again this side of the
grave. Let us pray r
They prayed together, each with her
arm about the Others neck the jailor
atanding over them, and wondering to
see witches. pray but accounting for il
upon the principle Of their being desert
ed by their betraycr, and driven to re-
pentance by the wholesome severity Of
the law=-Interchanged their farewell
kisses. in transport Of affection, and
parted forever! ~
Rachel was led straightway to the
dungeon, where she found Burroughs,
chained like avid beast TO the wall
| He was put to death on the following
day; he bearing with high and steady
courage to the last; forgiving all. and
predicting. with voice like that Of a
prophet. 4 speedy and perpetual over
throw to the belief in witchciait.
Being dead, the jailor was ordered to
apptise Rachel Dyer that on the morrow,
early. she would be brought forth to sui
| fer. ssa
And lol On the morrow, when the
multitude were gathered about the JAIL
waiting for her to be led 70. th, waiting