Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-04-22

CHAPTER I.
The smiths and armorers on palfreys ride,
Files in their hands, and hammers at their side;
And nails for loosened spears, and thongs for
shields provide.
And clowns come crowding, with cudgels in their
hands.
-iuldn,0n and Arcite.
All readers. who are familiar with Eng
lish history, will remember the severe and
critical contest which was waged at Wor-
cester, September Sd 1851, between the
royal army, Charles ii in command, and
the disloyal troops under the leadership of
the usurping Oliver Cromwell The dis
astrous defeat at this engagement Of
Charles army, numbering $4,000 Scots,
marks an important era in the history of
England; as from its results, the suprem-
acy became more firmly established in the
hands of the ambitious Cromwell. Not
only from this engagement, did the few
faint hopes which Prince Charles had en-
tertained concerning the supreme authori-
ty entirely vanish, but the royal heir was
| obliged to seek safety in flight. Thus at
this period, the throne of mighty England
was unoccupied; its lawful heir wander
ing. disguised fugitive, within a few
miles of the scene of the disastrous and
decisive contest which blighted his long
ing desires, more acute because harbored
in the ambitious mind of youth.
Our tale opens at this period, in small
village within few miles of Worcester,
consisting of small number of rude and
humble dwellings, rotten and moss-covered
from age, and widely separated from one
another. The reader is conducted into one
of the most respectable looking of these
habitations. The largest room situated in
the middle of the cottage, performs the
combined offices of a cooking, dining and
sitting ROOM Notwithstanding poverty
manifested itself upon all sides. yet neat
ness evidently attempted to obscure it, but
attempted in vain.
A prominent feature, (and one which
would first gain your attention. of this
room, was a large case attached TO one of
tine walls. containing the armor and war
like equipments peculiar to the romantic
age of chivalry. The presence of these
eqnipages in Il room where necessary ar
ticles were so few, would strike the casual
observer as being somewhat singular. A
large and ponderous stove rested at one
extremity of the room upon hard, uncov-
cred floor. A few broken chairs, book
case of musty books, time-worn clock
which had the appearance of having al
ways rested upon the shelf which held it,
so closely they resembled each other in
age, and few other necessary articles
comprised the scanty furniture OF the
apartment.
A scene is now transpirng in the room
which we have described, which poets
love to dwell upon, as calling forth their
highest and finest emotions in the dolnca-
ton OF sympathetic love.
1t is leave-taking. So common, and
yet always so full of sadness. Each nation
is replete with such woiul scenes. when
discord has arrived at such point that
man no longer views his fellow-b being as IL
brother, but, swaved by inordinate pas
sions, gives complete control to that de-
structive, inhuman and ierocious monster,
War, and eXpectantly awaits the result,
hoping to see arise from this tiend's blood
stained hand the end of alteration, and
witness final harmonious restoration -
Thank God the age OF warfare is fast ex-
piring.
The actors in the picture which we are
to describe consist of four persons. An
old man with hoary head and trembling
frame sits in an armchair. kneeling at
his feet, with his head resting upon the
old man 5 knee, is a youth of about twen-
ty years. The old mans aged wife stands
| by his chair, with her handkerchief
pressed to her eyes. Upon another chair,
distant little way from these three, is a
girl also weeping. Her light brown hair
lies in disorder about her fair checks, as
she frequently bursts forth in sobs not able
to be restrained. Apparently about
eighteen years of age, her round, full form,
and features of rare beauty, present a fine
type of maidenly loveliness.
The old man, with his right hand rest
ing upon the head of the fair-haired youth,
is the first to break the silence. His words
form themselves into n solemn benedic-
ton.
May God bless and protect thee, my
son, as He has ever done to thy foreiath-
ers May his loving hand rest over and
protect thee in the perls and dangers of
conflict. and strengthen thy youthful hand
to strike boldly the weapons of oppres-
sion.'
Then the old man changes his form of
expression, and speaks more directly to
the youth who, having risen from his
kneeling position and approached the case
of armor, is donning in youthful hurry and
excitement the pieces of armor which af-
forded protection to his forefathers. The
aged man. in trembling accents, says:
"Son of my son, the light of my fading
days, may honor ever be present with thee
in trials and temptations, as it has been
with those who, before thee, carried the
mail which thou art putting on, and may
it never be said that the son of proud
Henry Nane was ever hut faithful to his
God and to his country! Go forth, my
son, and battle with thy youthful energy,
against a cruel tyrant, who would crush.
were power at his command, this great
and glorious nation
At the close of thesewords, James Nane
stood, prepared for his departure. Excite
ment sparkled in his handsome eyes, and
eagerness for action gave noble bearing
to his erect and manly form.
Ever and anon, from without. the clash
of steel could be heard accompanied by
boisterous shouts, as a noisy squad of rus
t;cs ho stonad on IN helm swell the rapidlv