Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1877-01-24
Daniel Truce, Blacksmith.

Daniel Truce, Blacksmith. "
1t is night of wind and rain, late in
the autumn of l65l, and a wretched hut
on the Norfolk coast trembles and
nearly succumbs beneath the combined
fury of the elements. Fierce as is the
storm, it is nothing to that which RACES
in the breasts of Englishmen, for il is
but few days after the battle of Worces-
ter-that contest which Cromwell called
"a crowning mercy" has put to flight
the followers of Charles III. Two of
these, Sir Jasper Combe, Royalist
colonel, and Reuben HaInes, the only
man left of his regiment, the Kings
Dragons, have cOntrived by desperate
endeayors to work their way to the
coast, desiring to cross to France. For
six stormy nights have they faced the
wind under the friendly protection of
darkness. For six days have they hid
den themselves in ricks and hedges and
such out-of-the-way places as would in
sure them safety. Their progress has
been hindered and their liberty more
than once endangered. through the
presence with them of a troublesome
encumbrauce-a little child three or
four years Of age-whOm Sir Jasper has
felt bound TO convey to his lady, vino
awaits him in France. The cavalier
colonel, his sergeant, and the tender
companion of their flight, gain, how
ever, the miserable dwelling of which
we have spoken, and, close pursued as
they are. see in its squalid interior a
bright ark of refuge. The only oceu-
pant OF the hut at the moment they
come into the place, and hurriedly clos
ing the door behind them listen for
those who are on their track, is one
wretched figure, haggard with want.
With neglected hair falling on his
shoulders, and beard unsbaven, his
wretched condition of mind and body
rendered all the more lamentable by the
haif-intOxication apparent in his bear
ing-sucb is Dan1 Druce, once pros
porous blacksmith, now an outcast-a
man without hope i'm life save to amass
gain, for Druce is a miser. But an in
stant before the intrusion of the Royal
Isl and his companion the former life
of the master of the hut has been shown,
but '.as through a glass darkly." a
visitor TO the town, one Marble, has
come to Druce and claimed him as his
brother. But Daniel has thonght more
e taking the recOmpense for two nets
irvAl the fisherman who came with his
-,iatige. than of acknowledging kim
shin. SIe has not shown him, in fact,
the h4rest courtesy, and when he has
been addressed as Jonas MARBLE, he has
declared that Jonas MARBLE died three
years ago. But his brother has per-
sisted, despite the obvious desire of the
man who was once known as Jonas
Marple to disregard him, and has called
to his mind that he gave himself out as
dead IL order that his wife might re-
ceive repsEstion at the hands of man
who had takeE her from her home.
Dan1 Druce has n.sz wished to listen to
aspersiOns against his wife. He has
asserted that although she left him she
was honest, and mas prayed God to bless
her. Then the mood of the man who,
from having been open, heart and hand,
20 the wants of the poor. had become a
miser, and whose arm had lost its
strength with his life its peace, had
changed, and he had spoken out TO the
brother who had sought him. Why
should he return to the world-to the
world which has laid his happiness
waste. to the world which he can do
without? In this hut life he was at least
assured and safe. Why return TO the
scene of unpleasant memOries-to the
theatre of his desolation and bereaye-
ment. And why should i; be thought
strange that he should turn miser? He
had cherished a precious hope, and that
was 10 be blessed with a little child,
but when he thought the wish certain
of fulfllment, his wife fed with
scoundrel. So he had concentrated the
store of tenderness which he had re-
served for a child, and found robbed of
its aim. on gold. And ne had even in
yOked heaven that some day a miracle
be brought to pass, and his money take
human shape and substance. And his
brother had seen that Jonas Marble was
dead indeed, and had left Dan1 Druce
10 himself and his gold. And this pre-
cious accumulation hal been sought out
nd fondled and praised by Dan1
Druce, who called it child and nursed
Ii, and even saw in its senseless sub
stance something better than the little
babe who was promised him, but whom
he was cheated out of by the villain
whom he curses in the same breath in
which he blesses his false wife.
It is upon this scene that the fugi-
tives from the battlefield of Worcester
enter. Dan1 Druce is naturally sur
prised at their appearance in his hut,
and he demands their names and bust
ness in no gentle tones. Sir Jasper tells
him boldly that they are prescribed
Royalists, and when DanI Druce in his
rage would threaten him with violence,
ne easily oyercomes him, for the mus