The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1872-08-08
HOW DOROTHY EVELYN SAVED THE
KING.
DY ASHLEY II. BALDWIN.

III NpILbl lie SNl+DhlN'
Pannistonc Hall, fac old man
sion situated in u somewhat drcu,
part Of the northern p rt Of l.aora
shire, was, during Tie Civil Wa
which preceded and followed tU'
execution Of Charles | in posses
sion Of William Evelyn, II Sia4ncl
old Cavalier, whose money and re
taincrs were alike chccrfuIly place.
by him at the disposal Of the lugi
tive Prince, afterwards Charles II
Mr.. Evelyn was u widoSer with ON,
son and one daughtcr-tho former
u brave young fellow Of six and
twenty, heading q band Of RoyaIist
troops, the latter beautiful giII OF
eighteen.
1t was the winter of 165--. The
decisive victories of the Common.
wealth had been achieved, and King
Charles II, Tor such, though with
out throne, he was was u fugitive
in his own kingdom. No one in fact
knew where the unfortunate Prince
was, save the Evelyns and n few
trustworthy adherents of Charles.
He was at Pannistone Hall, disguis-
cd as u valet to young Evelyn, and
waiting to pass over into Scotland
and thence to France.
Under such circumstances, the
Evelyn family could not Of course
keep the season Of Christmas in
wonted fashion, and thus invite the
prying eyes Of friends and neighbors.
The old Squire, his son and dau2h,
ter, and the fugitive Prince formed
the sole party gathered round the
supper table on the Christmas Eve
which was the date Of this story.
Even then, so great was the plccau-
ton taken by Mr.. Evelyn, that the
servants had all been discussed from
their attendance, the Squire intimat-
ing that his sons servant the dis,
guised King wonld suffice for 50
small a party Thus some degree
of privacy and security had been OBJ
tained, and the little group, sitting
over their alter supper wine, Were
discussing in 'ow and anxious tones
the probabilities Of the Kings lu
ture.
The King himself was, as well he
might be, looking harrassed and i'll,
and relying rather on the judgment
of the old Squire to guide him, than
possessing any distinct plans of his
own. The fair girl, on u low stool at
her fathers feet, looked up into his
venerable face with u scarcely dis
guised WEAKNESS and solicitude. AS
for the young nan, he appeared part
ly to listen to his father, and partly
to be absorbed in some private
troubles of his own. The old Squire,
with his calm, unruflled brow, and
uignifed white locks and head, WAS
the only tranquil member Of the
group.
The King spoke.
"Alas, my kind host" he said, 81
fear me never shall requite you
for your loss Of fortune on my be-
half. An uncrowned King, depriv-
ed of the Inheritance of his fathers,
has little indeed WITH which to re-
pay the fidelity of such staunch
friends; besides, were it known tnat
you harbored me, yourvery life itself
would be forfeited"
"Name it not, my Liege," replied
the old man proudly. "My life has
well nigh run its course; besides,
children, fortune, and life itself, were
all well bestowed could they be lost
in the service of my lawful Soyer-
elgn. IL it not so, children"
The young girl gently acquiesced;
her brother, still musing absently,
also assented.
"Thanks, kind friends" said
Charles, much moved; "it is indeed |
an alleviation Of misfortune to find
so much fidelity"
"The King was about to continue,
when so furious n knocking was
heard at the outer door, all four start
ed and grew pale. Charles himself,
assuming the position of servant,
rose hastily from his seat, and stood
behind the young Squire's chair.
In two minutes the old white-hair-
ed butler who was in the secret OF
the Kings identity rushed into the
apartment, without ceremony, and
in a state Of tho greatest porturba-
ton.
"Oh, sir, sir Oh, your Majesty,
forgive me! The Roundheads, the
are here!"
"Speak quietly, Nicholas" said
the old gentleman, endeavoring to
subdue his own agitation. "Do |
you that the soldiers OF
the Commonwealth arc here?"
Yes, sir; and with search-war-
rant" said the old butler, sadly, III
tears.
"Good Heaven |" exclaimed Mr..
Evelyn, whilst his daughter clasped
her hands in terror, "what is to be
done? ?"
"They are even now entering the