Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1857-06-04
Thomas Parr, 1853 Years Old:
LONG LIFE UNDER DIFFICULTIES.


On the twenty-second of August, 1855, a
poor woman having started from the town Of
Leicester on the previous day, was pursuing
her journey on foot with little boy. Of some
two or three years Of age strapped on her
back, and small bundle in handkerchief in
her hand. As they proceeded, they were in
commoded by the rapid marching Of numerous
bodies of men, all armed, and intent on some
great business. In answer to her questions, a
soldier would sometimes tell her to move on
and hold her tongue but once or twice more
civil respondent informed her that there was a
great fight forward, and that the Pretender
Richmond was marching to London, and King
Richard was leading them to meet the invader.
The woman had never heard either of Richard
or Richmond-there having been no political
penny newspapers in those days-and went on
without fear When she care to large and
open field, she saw the armies drawn up in hos
tile array ; ana being afraid to force her way
through, and too tired to take the necessary
roundabout, she was fain to rest herself under
a thorn-bush at one side of the plain Put
ting her little son upon his legs, and telling him
proceedings of the forces before her, without
UCluS dUlC W llIuSlIc WLdG GuCS WSlc uOltlS,
or what it was all about. At the end of a
tremendous crowding and yelling, and shouting
and hurraing, she saw man very hot and tired
throw something, she could not tell what, upon
the thick-leaved bush under which she lay, and
gallop off with all speed.
Tommy" said she to the child, what's that
the gentleman filings among the branches ~
"Odds bodikins, " babbled the child, cts the
fine hat O. St. Thomas from our church at
home"
Can thee reach it, Tommy dear p
Ees if thee'll how'd up tot"
The woman cautiously rose, and raising the
boy in her arms, was in the act of holding him
forward to be able to grasp the saints hat,
when great bevy Of horsemen rode up. One
leaped from his steed impetuously dashed at
the bush, upsetting the poor woman and her
boy, and seized the glitterng prize.
- The English crown, by'r ladye !" he said
and, kneeling as on one knee, offered it to a
pale saturnine looking gentleman, who had dis
mounted from his horse
The gentleman, however, smiled and said,
You know the place that fits it, LORD STAN
ley :" and bent his head as he spoke
Lord Stanley put it over the auburn locks
of the cavalier, and Immediately great cry
arose all over the field &C cd save King
Henry God save the King !"
The woman, seeing what a treasure she had
missed, began to exclaim: Please remember
me, oh, King, for it was my little Tommy that
found that ERE crownd'
odd you, my little man ?" said Henry too
happy to take offence at anything.
pfeckins did, replied the child, in its in
distinct kind Of prattle.
Here, give him money, some of you,' said
the generous and economical monarch aud
several purses were instantly thrown into the
woman's lap. The party were turning away
Another thing, may it please you,' said the
woman. I've heard down in Shropshire that
the Kings touch cures the evil now Tommy
be very bad-and cant live unless be be dely.
| cred"
The King stroked the boy on the chin, hall
in sport, and said,
DO you want to be cured, my boy?
st. Doddikins ! if l DON'T said Tommy
and the operation was complete.
! The child, we have said, was not more than
three years of age but there were already
deep marks upon his face and indentations al
most like wrinkles upon his brow. He looked
prematurely DID, and his sanity illusions and
very decided way Of speech gave further evil
dence that his modes of thought were greatly
in advance of his years. He was very little
and was feeble on his legs. So, when the battle
was over, the mother strapped him again upon
her back, and with light heart and heavy
pocket recommended her journey to Shrop
shire. On first coming in sight of the Wrekin
! so great was her delight that she suddenly
paused, and fell upon her knees. Tommy, who
had climbed upon her shoulder, was precpita
ted over her head, and fell with great violenc,
on the ground.
Drat the child said the unfecng parent
thee can't live to enjoy thy fortune, if the.
break; thy bones in this guise. Get up, Tom
my. Hast thee snapt off thy t'other leg fo
thy right one be scarce mended since the mil
ler's donkey kicked it in twain Art the,
Tommy lay quiet. Clean dead with such
tumble as this
The boy opened his eyes, and said, BY
Potterkind, thinks be-
The woman gathered him up as if be hal
been piece of broken crockery Thee has
cracked thy two legs she said, and three O
thy ribs thou hast had measles that crooked
thy back, and hooping-cough that wore GU
thy chest thou hast kings evil, and art in .
deep decline, aud canst eat nothing, and neve
sleep onights. Thee can't live, Tommy
Hold the tongue O thee,' replied Che inva
lid. By Splutters of York, I won't die no
wnere but in my little bed at home So ge
thee on, mother, for thinks shall never sur
vive the sundown'
Tommy, however, did survive, and wher
twenty years past. he had grown to his full
height, which was not much. and was stron.
for 50 very delicate looking person : and q
his mother before her decease, had pointed ON
to him the rafter between which and the thatcl
she had hidden the ransom money of the In