Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1858-08-19

universe can never make me swerve,) my
head shall fall upon the block, or wear the
diadem with Lady Wentworth
'Oh, God" she exclaimed in tone of
anguish, s'my darling son is lost lostp'
s'Not so, dear MOTHER" he said, fondly
caressing her. II yet will WELD the scep-
tire, and thou shalt have thy rights And
now the box, my mother, and key, that
holds the precious parchment that proves
me heir to Englands throne, and that thou
vast Charles Stuart's welded WIFE"
With choking sobs she placed about his
neck ribbon, to which was attached small
key; then from niche in the wall she drew
forth black box and gave it in his hands,
saying:
you know your fathers signature, and
that within will prove beyond doubt
':Thanks, thanks, my MOTHER" he ex-
claimed, clutching it eagerly. CHOW,
James, tremble, for the sceptre is fading
from thy grasp. Weep not, mother, for
thou shalt yet rejoice. Wait but a few score
days and thou wilt learn thy son, Duke Of
Monmouth's step, has Jared all England" :"
s'Beware of treacheryD!' my son.
Will DC wal auU CuCuuopOOO.
But time proved that Monmouth forgot
his mothers counsel.
It was late in the fall when three small
ships anchored off the English coast, close
by the village Of Torbay. It was not then,
as now, a seaport of Importance, but few
scattered huts, inhabited by rude fishermen,
comprised the town; but it was even then
renowned in history as the place where
William the Norman first planted his stan
dard upon English soil.
The inhabitants Of the place had gather
ed upon the beach, and many were the
strange conjectures Of who their visiters
might be.
In short time, boat put off from the
largest ship for the shore, containing score
of well-armed men, and when they effected
a landing, the simple fishermen learned that
their guest was none other than the Protest
ant Duke of Monmouth, who had came to
lay claim to the English throne
The place was Protestant, and soon cheer
lon cheer rent the air af walAnsaa 60
1wnUm rnuy esta6ned their lawful sovereign.
The common people loved him to a man.
While he was still the greatest favorite at
the court of Charles, he, in spirit of youth
full mirth and kindly pleasantly, had atten-
ded their weddings and christenings, and
even stood godfather for their Children
They looked up to him with feeling almost
of reverence, for, strange though it may
seem to the reader of our time, there was
scarcely person of inferior degree in Eng
land, but would have shed his blood, drop
by drop, for Monmouth He set up his
standard, and volunteers flowed in by thou
sands. He was kind and affable to ALL
Even to a Mendip miner, whose swarthy
brow was begrimed with toll, he extended
[ am sure we have met before"
The man felt proud of the recognition be-
fore his fellows, and exclaimed, smiling,
tsWe have, your Grace"
"Where? 2" my good friend
cat Joyland, where we had running
leap together. Twas the master in the SPORT
when you came up, and gaily offered, for a
wager of cask of ale, to jump beyond my
farthest mark The boys soon dubbed the
sum, for well they knew what I was able to
perform.
4Aho ulu yOu Will <"y
"Win! Cad zounds, who ever heard of
leaping four-and- twenty feet before Win!
Old Nick himself could not beat you; but,
like a generous lord, you paid all the scot,
and would not let my poor friends loose the
wager"
A loud huzza went up from the crowd for
good Duke Monmouth. One voice said
king, and it chased the color from the favo-
rites cheek. 1t was not solved till after
Monmouth's death. That voice was Fer
guson's, the Judas Of the camp.
Monmouth believed this man his warmest
friend, and he, of all the world, alone knew
of the fearful secret contained in the black
box the duke always carried about his per-
son. He had made him his confidant spite
of his mothers warning, and from that hour,
the hardened traitor corresponded with King
James.
At Taunton and Bridgrwater, the people
poured in by scores and hundreds, and Mon
mouths heart beat high One thing, how
ever, panied him much-no lord, or even
knight, joined in his cause, and the crafty
Ferguson said it must be because he had
not proclaimed himself the rightful heir to
the throne. ''Do so, and every Protestant
lord in the kingdom" he exclaimed, .twill
take up arms in your cause"
Monmouth, in an evil hour, followed this
advice, and from that time, his fortunes
were upon the wane. At Bridgewater, he
engaged King James forces-his troops
were discounted, and he became awanderer
and a fugitive. The night previous to the
battle, he had slept in the same tent with
Ferguson, and in the morning, the traitor
and the black box, which was more precious
far than life. were missing. He had no.