St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1858-12-09

the king, of what he had said. Charles
inquired Of his character, and whether
they knew him to be an honest man; and
on Mr.. Lascelles assuring him that he
knew Pope to be so honest fellow that
he dare trust him with his life, the king
decided on trusting him rather than leav-
ing him in his present suspense, and inn
mediately sent for him, and told him he
was very glad to meet him there, and
would trust him with his life as an old
acquaintance. Pope, in reply, answered
that he thought it very fortunate he had
recognized his Majesty for, though his
master and mistress were good people, yet
there were at that time one or two in the
house who were great rogues, and express
ed his hope of being Of real service. He
was, in fact, found extremely useful; both
in doing the kings errands to Bristol in
search of a ship to carry him to Spain or
France, and as means of communication
with Lord Wilmot, who night not venture
by day to Abbottsleigh, where there were
many we'll acquainted with his person.
Pope contrived, however, to bring him to
the king by night, who could thus hold
consultations with him, in conjunction
with Jane Lane and her cousin; for her
thoug ghtiulness and discretion made her a
valued adviser.
"Pope's mission to Bristol proved un-
successful; he could hear Of no ship leav-
ing for either Of the required countries
within a month, delay too long to be
thought of: The king, therefore, held /,
council what had best be done next, as it
was losing time to remain longer at Alb
botsleigh; and it was suggested to him,
that on the borders Of Somersetshirc
there lived his very devoted adherents,
the Wyndhams Of Trent, beyond Sher.
borne. This was considered by all very
safe asylum; and the circumstance of one
Of the ladies Of the family, Christiabella,
wife Of Knight Marshall Wyndham, hay:
ing been his nurse, served to give the
king additional confidence, and inclined
him warmly to this counsel; as he says
Frank Wyndham being my old acquain.
tance and u very honest man, I resolved
to go to his house.
so far all was settled, and Lord vii.
mot was sent forward to prepare Colonel
Wyndham for the reception Of his guest
when, the night before they had decided
on starting for this journey, cross acci
dent threw them into much CONSERVATION
Mrs. Norton, whom Jane Lane had come
so far to visit, was taken extremely ill
and gave birth to dead child; she was
indeed, in such an alarming condition
that they knew not how to devise al
excuse for her friend leaving her in sucl
a state, and yet this young lady wa:
entircly y necessary to the safety Of tL<
expedition.
"In this; emergency, the kings quick
ness suggested the scheme Of counterfeit
ing letter from her home at Bentley
informing heA' OF her fathers sudden ane
dangerous illness, and urging her to return
Immediately if she would see him alive
All parties were employed to carry out thi;
stratagem. Pope, the butler, delivere,
the letter during supper, and Mrs. Jane
though we may we'll suppose the nature G.
the deceit made it very painful to her, ye
she performed her part so dexterously tina
all were anxious to further her departure
and settled for her that she must set ou
on her journey carly next morning, Tues
day the 10th Of September.
at was arranged that the kings part,
should rest that ight at Castle Cary, abou
six miles from Trent, so as to arrive ther.
for breakfast next morning. When Lore
Wilmot, who travelled in advance, ovel
night, informed Colonel Wyndham tha
the king would be with him next day
that loyal person was transported with joy
it having been rumored that the king hac
been killed at Worcester. That night he
kept the secret; but next morning found
it necessary to acquaint the ladies Of his
family of the perilous honor awaiting
them These were Lady Wyndhaln his
mother, his wife, and his niece, Julian;
Coningsby, who afterwards undertook the
service Jane Lane had hitherto rendered
the king. The recorder Of this scene
assures us that the relation Colonel Wynd
ham gave these ladies did not, through
the weakness of their sex, bring upon
them any womanish passion, but, surprised
with joy, they most cheerfully resolved:
without the least show Of fear, to hazard
all for the safety Of the king. Charles,
indeed, in the period Of his adversely and
greatest need, had little reason to talk Of
the weakness of the sex; for throug ghout
his wanderings, his safety was secured and
his needs supplied by women, who faith
fully kept his secret, and were tar more
alive to the honor than the danger Of en-
tertaining such guest. The ladies thus
intrusted set about arranging how his
Majesty might be brought into the house
without any suspicion to their household,
which consisted of about twenty persons
m. II, ~ %h~ eoorof 70