Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-07-08
1ailp Atnnebrt sournal.
IContinued from first page. J

was no hope that he could reach the Jail.
He must make for Gallows hill, by the
shortest way. to meet the fatal train be-
yond the town. lie urged his horse to a
furious pace that was still far too slow
for his feverish spirit. As the road stretch
ed on between fields and fences, he had
no eyes for the sprnging green in the
fresh burrows, no thoughts TO count the
time till the apple-tree would stand white
with blossoms on the hillside. lie saw
only dismal procession issuing from the
dark portals OF the jail Mistress Wilson
standing in the cart with her arms bound
behind her, and the tumultuous crowd
that accompanied her slow progress, jeer-
ing and shouting when she swayed to and
fro, all but lost her balance at the rough
jolts over the pavement; the men gazing
with hard, cold eyes, the women pointing.
the children shrieking in exultation. "lhe
witch is hit ! the witch is hit.' when some
stone from a hand fell with a truer aim
than all the rest. He had seen such things
before He could picture it to himself so
distinctly that the great drops rolled over
his forehead as he felt his powerlessncss
TO make an end TO the cruel scene. Then,
out of the precints of the town, along the
sunny road, the cart went on and on till it
stopped beside the gallows. His heart
began to thump heavily, his breath came
thick and short.
Only little further; only to turn in the
way, and he should see the spot; should
see if the crowd were there-should see
if the crowd were thcre-should see. The
awful presentiment that oppressed him be-
came "a paralyzng weight. There was
only that one hope left to whicl: many a
soul has clung in its anguish, a hope in the
very horror Of the thing it fears. 1t
would be so cruel it would be SO dread
full. that it could not be.
He had reached the turning. Should he
look up? Was it the pulsing blood that
made that murmur in his ears, or were
they already there ? He urged his horse
forward to one last, desperate effort, be-
fore he dared to raise his head And then
-NIerciful heaven. The accursed thing
stood in the fair spring morning, with its
outstretched arms, and something swayed
theretrom.
Shortly after, troop of boys, dashing
down the hill caught sight of a solitary
rider whose spent horse plodded its weaiy
way upward with signs of great exhaus-
ton, but taking its own course and its own
time 10 the task. for the man had dropped
the rens, and was SO bowed over his
horses neck that they only recognized him
with difficulty.
Hey, Master Dalton!" they called in
bosterous merrment as they came near,
"ye are too late for the hangingn'
The man raised himself and looked at
them with glazed eyes and an ashy face.
They were children from the fisher huts in
Marblehead, and knew their weather.
neighbor well: but the countenance he
turned to them to-day was SO strange that
they stopped to stare as he rode by, and
then, putting their heads together for a
consultation, turned and followed.
Enoch knew as little as they why he
went on. Too late too late! :" he had
been repeating to himself, with strange,
confused, sickening feeling. before they
shouted the words in his ears. Still he
went on; perhaps it was more from the
impossibility of going back than from any
aim or object that he had in view. Her
blood shall be between me and thee aud
how could he meet his wife again2
1t was still and deserted on the hilltop,
but Enoch had no consciousness OF being
alone. The crowd might have been surg
ing about him for aught he knew. lie
was only aware of long shadow on the
grass he heard the clankng of chain,
aud taking his hat from his head, as if he
had stood by Mistress Wilson's open grave,
he glanced upward.
A shrek OF shrill, childish laughter burst
upon his ear as his eyes fixed themselves
in stupefied amaze on a pole tied round
with futtering rags that dangled from the
gallows.
know We not, master,' said the child
rem, swarming around him, 1.-The Cover
nor hath sent command there shall be no
m.re hanging until he himself hath fuller
Knowledge of the matter of witchcraft ?
The messenger rode post haste into Salem
Just after day break. One told us that we
met on the highway, but as we were out
for frolic, we were fain to pluck up
scarecrow from the field yonder. and hang
that instead of the witch, an it may not
displease ye.f
The children's wild mirth grew still
when they saw how he bent his head, and
hid his face with his hands. They drew
back wondering and awe-struck at his 81
lence. and left him alone As he turned
bride at last, and rode away home once
more, two words repeated themselves
over and over within him, but this time
they came from joyful and grateful heart
that could only think and say, THANK
God! Thank God &c. H. Pierce in
GALAXY