The Tiffin tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1868-1887, 1872-10-03
The Fugitive King.
Historical Sketch.

PelQigtO0e Hall, q u0e Olu uduSiOu
situated in a somewhat dreary part OF
the northern half Of Lancashire, was,
during the civil war which preceded
and followed the execution of Charles
I, in possession of William Evelyn,
staunch old Cavalier, whose money
and retainers were alike cheertully
placed by him at the disposal of the
fugitive Prince, afterwards Charles
II. Mr.. Evelyn was a widower with
one son and one daughter-the for
mer q brave young fellow of six-an d
twenty, heading a band OF RoyaIist
troops the latter a beautiful girl OF
III was in the winter of 165-. The
decisive victories of the Common
wealth had been achieved, and King
Charles II. flor such, though without
a throne. he was) was fugitive IN
his own kingdom. No one, IN TACT,
knew where the unfortunate Prln ce
was. save the EvelYns and Few
trustworthy adherents of Charles.
He was at PennistOne Hall, dis gulsed
as a valet to young Evelyn, and walt
ing to pass over into Scotland ana
thence to France.
Hinder such circumstances, the Eve
Ivn family could not keep the season
of Christmas in their wOnted fashion,
and thus invite the prying eyes OF
| friends and neighbOrs. The old
Squire, his son and daughter, and the
motive Prince, formed the sole party
gathered round the supper table on
\ fine Christmas Eve which was the
date of this story. Even then, so
great was the precautiOn taken by
Mr.. EVELYN, the servants had all
been dismissed from their attendance,
the Squire intimating that his son
| servant (the disguised King would
suffice for so small a party. thus
! some degree of privacy and security
had been obtained, and the little
groun. sitting over their afteI-supper
wine, were discussing in low and anX-
ious tones the probabilities OF the
Kings future.
The King himself was, as well he
might be, looking harrassed ana Ill
and relying rather on the gudgmehl
of the old Squire to guide him, tnar
possessing any distinct plans OF MS
own. The fair girl, on a low stool a.
her fathers feet, looked up into M
venerable face with scarcely dis
ouised WEAKNESS and solitude. Al
for the Young man, he appeared part
Iv to listen to his flasher and partly Il
be absorbed in some private troubles
of his own. The old Squire, with hi
calm. unruff1ed brow and dignifieC
white locks and head, was the onl,
! TRANQUIL member of the group.
The King spoke:
HAIas, nv kind host, l fear l shal
never requite you for your loss o
fortune on nv behalf. An uncrOwne'
King. derived of the Inheritance Q
his fathers, has little indeed wit
which to repay the fidelity of sue
staunch friends; besides, were
known that you harbored me, you
very life itself would be forfeited"
|Name it not, my liege," reptile
the old man, proudly. My lie ma
weII-nigh run its course; besides, chi
dren, fortune, and life itself, were a
well bestowed could they be lost in th
service of my lawful sovereign. Is
not so, my childrernw
The young girl gently acqulesced
her brother, still musing absently
also assented.
"Thanks, kind friends, said Charlie
much moved; ait is indeed an allevii
ton of misfortune to find so muc
fidelity"
The King was about to continu
when so furious a knocking was heal
at the outer door, that all four starte
and grew pale. Charles himself, a
suming the position of a servant, 70:
hastily from his seat and stood behlr
the young Squire's chair.
/ -, At,nr old IN a
n ed butler (who was in the secret OF Il
Is Kings identify rushed into the apaI
- ment without ceremony, and IN
s, state of the greatest perturbation.
so, sir! o, your Majesty, forgi'
mel The Roundheads! The Roun
heads are herer' he cried.
sfSpeak quietly, Nicholas said q
. old gentlem, endeavOring to subd
his own agitation. "Do 1 understaI
YOU that the soldiers of the Commo
n wealth are here ?'
sTYes, sir; and with a search-ws
rantr said the old butler, sadly, al
in tears.
= mGood Heavens ~ exclaimed n
EVELYN, whilst his daughter clasp
her hands in terror, "what Is to
done%'
'TThey are even now entering t
great hall, sir. Not an instant is to
lost,u said the butler.
The old Squire seemed confOund
by the suddenness of the calami
when to the surprise Of everybOC
young Evelyn, who had been hith
to absorbed and moody, started |
as if brilliant idea had occurred
him, seized the Kings hand and,
!. ing a gentle violence, disappear
with him through a concealed do
which lay behind the tapestry.
He led the fugitive Prince throu
corridor after corridor of the V
house, until they arrived at suite
apartm ents in the west wing. Th
MI he paused, and drawing a small
" from his pocket, opened door VIII
faced them.
Even in the extremity of his dal
er, the King started back amaz
1.-The room within was exquisitely