The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1875-06-02
STRANGE TRADITION.

STRANGE TRADITION.
1t was o dreary winter night; the
snow lay thick upon the ground, and
the wind went wandering through
the narrow city streets, not wailing
lugubriously, then shrieking sbrilly !
rafting at the door and windows,
and laundering over the housetOps,
making the people tremble in their
beds. The wild wind seemed to have
some special business in the world
this night, as it went careering and
raging -ound and round, driving the
good folks into their houses, hurling
down chimney-pots, tearing up old
trees, playing at hind-and-seek in the
churchvards as though it would wake
the dead, and failing that, flying up
to the steeple, bowling furiously, strik-
ing it on all sides, wrestling in a mad
endeavor to send it crashing on the
graves below. If it could only have
woke up the spirit Of justice, that
Law bound in q trance like sleep, it
might have been content TO rest, but
it could not; having tired itself cut,
it sank down sobbing and wailing
round a palace prison, where DOOM
ed King lay sleeping his last earthly
sleep. All the griefs, trials and vIcis-
situdes that can befall humanity bad
been crowded into the life Of the IN
fortunate sovereign. He had been
weighed down by political anxieiies
and military defeat, and at last with
a brave unflihching spirit had under
gone the terrible ordeal Of public
trial-a mere mockery OF Justice
which resulted in his condemnation
TO death. He had already bid fare
we'll to wife, children, friends aud re-
Iations. and had now but a few hours
"a live. Ole wonder was rife among
the people, one question had flown
from lip to lip during the day, but
nigbt came and lett it unanswered-|
"Who was to fuljll the ghas,ly Office
Of beadsman to the King Z" 1t was
not TO be the common executioner-
that was well known; but on whom,
then. would deyolve the responsible
office 1t must be practieed hand
who would strike one blow and have
done One thing alone was kRown
that at twelve O'Clock on the morn
ing of the 30th of January the
Kings bead was to fail.
The night that was to herald such
a morrow was the very dreariest Of
the drearv winter. The wind had
pulled out the tiny oil-lamps that lit
the streets with its first breath, and
thew were dull, dark and almost de-
serted. Still the snow fell and the
wind walled on. Ii was nearly mid
night, when a solitary pedestrian
wended his way through the silent
city. He was wrapped in a square
roquelare. and wore his bat pulled
low over his eyes. He hurried along,
looking neither to the right or the
LETT, not even pausing for a second,
till be reached q shabby, narrow
street in the purlieus Of Westminster,
with rickety, tumble down houses on
esc5 side. He looked cautiously
round him, laid his hand upon a
Istched door, and catered one Of
these miserable abodes of humanity. |
There was q low whispering Of voices |
in the dark passage: then be ascend |
a steep flight of worm eaten stairs, |
and was shown into 9 room occupied |
by one solitary man. The door /
closed behind him, and they two |
were left alone. For a moment they |
gazed on each others face; there /
was no hand shaking, not q single /
word Of greeting passed between /
them. The occupant Of the room
was a large, heavy limbed man OF
the lowest order, with bloated face
and g ferUcious cast OF countenance. |
0ae huge hand lay elenehed upon
the table, as be leaned forward and
scanned his visitor from beneath his
busby brows, He was the first to
speak.
Wei, don't suppose you've come
here for the pleasure of looking at
me-" be said, with ghasiIy grin.
That's your writing and your sign
ing, l supposez" He held forth a
crumpled bit of paper as he spoke.
His visitor bowed bis head in TO-
Ken of assent, but said nothing.
"WelI, what do you want folks
don't seek out the likes % me for
1o,hing. Tell me quickly what you
want; it is past midnight, and I've
work to do tomorrow that needs a
steady hand"
at is on that matter, | desire to
speak to you," replitd d his visitor in a
cold, calculating tone You are
here bv command of Oliver Crom-
well TO carry out the execution OF
Charles Stuart. What is your fee :"
You're curious, master; but /
don't mind telling you Ny price 1
for the Job is twenty golden pieces"
LET me take your place and III
make it ten times more" exclaimed 4
bis visitor Richard, butcher, though .
be was. and fresh from the shambles
Of St. Ives, recoiled before the eager (
voice Of the speaker. Was be mad
or-he smiled grimly and shock his
head
at IS plot TO save the King" he
said
Save the King r echoed bis Tisi-
tor with low laugh Of bitter hatred.
Though be bad twenty heads, /
would not rest til the last one had
fallen / fought at Nsseby, strove
With might aud main to stand face TO