The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1860-03-09
:Rtlmious Readin9.
John Brown.
AFFECTING "REMINISCENCES OF IHE SEVENTEENTH
CEETT-RY

John Brown.
AFFECTING REMINISCEHCE OF IHE SEVENTEENTH
CENTURY.
Towards the close Of the seventeenth cen
fury. when form Of worship was forced up
or the Scottish people by the sword, which
was alike repulsive to their taste and their
conscientious judgment Of the Gospel model
in its simplicity and purity, lived another
"John Brown" pious Edinburgh carrier,
who thought it a duty to succor the persecu-
ted ministers Of the Gospel. One OF these
men had recently been succcred under the
roof Of the poor carrier, and when he depar-
ted, made him acquainted with his hiding
place Just at that time Claverhouse, after
wards tle Earl Of Dundee, was securing TIE
country, with troopers as cruel as himself, in
search of the hiding places Of the preachers,
and knowing the reputation Of Brown, went
to bis lonely dwelling, called tie Cottage on
the Muir Early in the morning, the cottage
of John Brown was surrounded BY troop
Of dragons, with Ciaverhouse at their head.
John, who had probably present;ment Of
what might happen, urged his wife and
daughter to stay within doors, insisting that
as the soldiers were, in all likelihood, search
ing for some other person, ne should soon he
able to dismiss them. BY t!is time, the
neishing and trampng of horses, mingled
with the hoarse laugh and vociIeratons of
the dragons, brought John, half dressed, to
the door. Claverhouse Immediately accosted
him by name; ard in manner Intended for
something betwixt fun and irony, proceeded
to make inquiries respecting one Samuel
Ai:kin- godly man, and a min is,er Of the
Word, and outrageously addicted to prayer
John admitted at once that the person refer
red to was not unknown to him, asserting.
however, that Of his present residence or
place of hiding he was not at liberty 10
speak.
NO doubt, no doubt )" rejoined Claver-
house, you know nothing! How should
you, all innocence and ignorance as you are :?
But here is little chip of the old block,
which may probably recolect better, and save
US the trouble Of blowing on. her fathers
brains, jus, by way Of making him remember
more accurately. You, my little far,hins
rushlisht,' continued Red Rob, aiish;in.
from his horse, and seizing the girl rudely
and with prodigious force by the wrists
beard and bald head, who was here few
days ago, haptizing Your sister ard giving
good advice to father and mother, and who
is now within few miles of this house, to
which YOU can readily and instantly conduc,
US, YOU know
The girl looked first at her mother, who
had now advanced into the DOORWAY, then at
her father. and dropped her head, and re-
manned silent.
".And So" continued the quesrioner, "you
are dumb; your tongue is little obstinate
or so, and You must not tell family secrets.
But what think you Of speaking with your
fingers; Of having proper and perlinen:
answer just ready at your finger ends, as
one may say? AS the Lord lives. and as my
soul lives, but this will make dainty nose
gay" displaying a thumhkin or finger screw
"ior my sweet little Covenanttr and then.
lapplying the instrument OF torture, mean
while, and adjusting it to the thumb "yo,
will have no manner Of trouble in rtcollec;
ing yourself; and, don't kni, Your brows So,
[for the pain had become insutitrab!e.l "thel
We shall have YOU cha,ty and amusing. war
rant"
The mother, WHO could stand this no long
er, rushed upon the brutal executioner, ant
with expostulat!ons, threats, and the mos
imprisoned entrea,ies, endeayored to rela
the questioner's twist.
Can you, mistress, reco.lect anything Of
this man we are in quest Of" resumed Cla
verhouse, haughtiy; It may save US bot
some trouble. and your daughter cont;n,
anee OF the present suffering. if you will jus
have the politeness to make us acqua!.te
with what YOU happen to know upon tn
subject"
The poor woman seemed for a moment t
hesitate; and her daughter looked most Iii
tractedly into her countenance, as if expec
ant and DESTROYS oerespite through her mott
er's compliance.
"Wcman!" exclaimed her husband, liz
tone of indignant surprise, hast thou s
soon forgot thy God? and shall the fear O
anything which men can do. induce thee
betray innocent b.ood:?'
He said no more but he had said enous
for from that instant the whole tone of h
wifes feelings were changed, and her sol
was wound up, as if by the hand Of Omnil
offence, into resolution and daring.
Bravo" exclaimed the arch persecuto
''bravo, old Can,icles, thou word'st well ar
so you three pretty innocents have laid yo,
holy heads tCgethe:, and YOU have resolve
to die, should it please God and US, with