Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1866-07-20
The Young Martyr.

land groaned beneath the tyrant's
hand, and it was not for the heather
she was called "the purple land"-then
it was not as now, for the lovliness Of
these hills that her children blessed
God-but for their secret places, for
the untrodden mountain he / G h t s,
where they might find a refuge from
persecution and a secure place IN
which to worship God.
Near the foot of these famed hills,
at the head of a small bay, is the lit
tie village of Wigton. The traveller
here is shown a grave in an ancient
kirkyard by the sea. Around the
humble stone rank weeds wave so
high that he can scarcely trace the
rude moss-grown inscription. But
every child knows the sad tale and
will tell him, with kindling eyes, that
tiIol in tllept 1onOly 5lasO 1i0o M@I-
garet Wilson, "the young martyr OF
Wigton," who though but a lassie,
died for the Covenant" +"
And they will further tell him of
her flight from a catholic home with
her young sister Annie, Of their weary
wandering among the hills Of Gallo
way, for more than seven months
not daring to return to their fathers
cottage for fear Of the kings officers.
At last, weary and homesick, they
could endure exile no longer, and
started on the old familiar path lead
ing home. Even before arriving they
were seized and carried to the hall of
Judgment. They questioned her Of
her wanderings; they asked her if the
covenant could shield her from the
sword OF if she looked for miracle
to save her when she ventured home
right past the 8heriff,s door. They
taunted with cruel words and waited
for a reply. TrembIingly came the
answer: 40 men! have ye no hearts
that We can cause the homeless to shed
such bitter tears We were both
wet and weary, with tempting thoughts
Of food and fire, Of home words and
ways; our hearts were sick within US
and Annie yearned to rest her weary
head upon our mothers knee"
Then scoffingly answered the wick
ed Bruce: LASS, you should have
forded the bay before the dawn. -
She replied, Il dared not, for | feared
the sea-" These words sealed her
doom for Bruce said Tomorrow at
dawn weIl see if the advancing tide
in Blednock bay will not frame a new
Covenant for you"
That night fell upon a sad house
hold in the cottage of Gilbert Wilson.
He sat beside his gloomy hearth with
one child cheaply ransomed even at
the sacrifice of all his property. 1t
/ had not been deemed sufficient to re-
store both to liberty, and the noble
Margaret would not receive it at the
price OF her sisters life, so she was left
within the prison walls to meet her
doom on the morrow's dawn. That
morrow come, a dull sad day, and all
along the narrow shore that glrdles
the bay, stood groups OF anxious
watchers.
Oh, little had her playmates dream
ed of the coming hour, when slyly they
had crowned her with a wreath oI
sea-weed, and laughed to see her cast
it away with a shudder. Often had
they sought playfully to lure her to the
shore, and, much as they had laughed
at her weakness then it was remem
bered now with tears.
A sad silence deepened on the
throng, as the innocent victim was
led to the strand, and, as her young
limbs were bound to the stake, low
wrathfnl murmurs were heard, but
suddenly suppressed, lest despotic rul
ers should hear, and then they left hel
alone, with that strong advancing sea
in front
The justice then asked if she woulC
disown her faith. On her refusing tt
do so he ieeringly advised her to takt
long drink, as it would be her las
one: then he retreated, leaving he
to the mercy Of the waves. The,
; slowly but surely advanced, and di'
their fatal work; and even whisper
: i9g above the martyrs grave the voice
I Of the sea are heard, cry TO the Sc
. for vengeance.
There is a wild legend yet relate
4 regarding the fate Of this justice, thi
i cruel tool Of d misguided king and
IesuitieaI priesthood.
He returned to his home. and for
d time, as such creatures often do, wen
o on and prospered, only he found hin
u self disturbed by most perplexin
thirst. Early and late, at home an
N abroad, in the administration Of h
Office, or in the seclusion ofhis fresid
5s water, water, became his unceasin
desire. Physicians were consulte
IN in vain, medicines swallowed withol
% effect The mysterious disease kel
y on, and began to evidence by outwal
y manifestation the consuming fire wit
IN in. For-years, it is said, after Il
,e revolution, the miserable spectacle
te the justice might be seen, creepil
o daily along the by-ways of the lit
Or town with CHASTITY visage and waste
I'D limbs, shrinking from the obseryati
he excited, and unable to refrain ev
in the open streets, from snatchi
aanother drink from the hands
he the servant lass who followed h
ise everywhere, bending beneath t h
no. weight of an enormous water can.
he And of this unquenchable thirst
nd last the prosecutor died.