The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1880-01-23
A BRAVE WIFE'S STRATAGEM.
HOW EARL NITHIsDALE ESCAPED FRON
THE GALLONS.

Among the JacObites who Joined in
the first Stuart rising. in 1715, was the
Earl of Nithisdale, and the sudden fail
ure of the revolt consigned him 10 the
Tower Every effort to avert the doom
of death had failed but IN his countess
he had friend whom no defeat could
dishearten.
With that self-reliance so peculiar to
her, she resolved on a step which seem
ed as rash and imprudent at first sight
as it afterward proved the contrary
Having observed pretty closely the
character of Mrs. Mills, of whom she
had hired lodgings in DruTy Lane, Lon
don, she sent for her to her apartment,
and Informed her that, all hope of par
don now being lost, she had determined
on a scheme 10 effect Lord Nithisdale's
escape.
This" she said. sis the last night
before his execution - and then pas
siOnateIy appealed to her feelings to as
sist her III the attempt she meditated,
by accompanying her at once to the
Tower, in order that Lord NithisdaIe
might escape in one Of her dresses. for
which scheme she had arranged every
detail
A coach was called, and they, with a
Mrs. Morgan, started for :he Tower.
Lady Nithisdale talking all the way, for
fear they should have time for reflection,
and change their minds. As they drove
along, she explained the details of her
scheme-namely, that Mrs. Morgan was
to wear over her own clothes a dress of
Mrs. Mills twhO was large woman)
for Lord Nithisdale to put on, with 9th
er disguise, and so pass the wardens.
'.On our arrival" SAYS Lady NithiS-
dale, Il first brought in Mrs. Morgan
l,.,,-
to take leave Of him. When Mrs Nor
gan had taken off the dress of Mrs
Mills, which she had brought for my
purpose, | conducted her back to the
staircase, and, in going, ] begged her to
send my maid to dress me, as [ was
afraid Of being too late to present my
last petition that night, If she did not
come Immediately. ] went partly down
stairs to meet Mrs. Mills. who had her
handkerchief to her face. as was natural
for a person going to take the last leave
of friend before his execution, and !
had desired her to do this that my lord
might go out in the same manner.
Il had got an artificial head-dress of
the same cOlOred hair as hers, and
rOuged his face and checks, to conceal
his beard, which he had not time to
shave. All this provision | had before
left in the Tower. The guards. whom
my liberaiity the day before had endear-
ed me to, let me go quietly out with my
company. and were not so strictly on
the watch as usual, as they were per
suaded from what ! had told them the
day before, that the prisoners would OBJ
tain their pardon. l made Mrs. Mills
take off her hood and put on that which
] had brought for her. | then took her
by the hand and led her out by nv lord 5
chamber; and in passing through the
next room, III which were several peO-
pie, with all the concern imaginable, l
said Ny dear Mrs CathaTine. go liz
all haste and send me my waiting-maid !;
she certainly cannot reflect how late it
is. I am to present my petition to-
night, and if / let slip the opportunity,
| am undOne for tomorrow is too late.
Hasten her as much as possible, for |
shall be on thOrnS till she comes.
when ] had seen her safe out, | re-
turned to my lord and finished HIM. !
had taken care that Mrs. Mills did not
go out crying, as she came in, that my
lord might better pass for the lady who
came in crying and afflicted ; and the
more so. rs ne had on the same dress
that she wore. When l had almost fin
ished dressing my lord, | perceived 1t
was growing dark, and was afraid that
the light Of the candles might betray Us,
50 l resolved TO get off. | went out
leading him by the hand, while he held
his handkerchief to his eyes. l spoke
to him in the most piteOus and afflicted
tone, bewaiIing bitterly the negligence
of nay maid Evans. who had ruined me
by her delay. Then ! said |: My deal
Mrs Betty. for the love of God, run
quickly and bring her with you-yOU
know my lodging and if you ever made
dispatch in your life do il at present.
am almost distracted with this disap
pointment
THE guards opened the douT, and
went down stairs with him, still con
iuring him to make all possible dis
! patch As soon as he had cleared Tia,
door. / made him walk before me, foI
fear the sentinel should take notice o
his walk, but l continued to press hin
TO make all the dispatch he possibly
) could. At the bottom of the stairs
met my dear Evans. into whose hands
; conlided him.
, They went home together, and hav
J ing found a place of security. brough
Lord Nithis1ale TO it. In the mean
time, as l had pretended to have sen
the young lady on a message, | wa
obliged to return up stairs and go bacI
to my lords room in the same feigne,
anxiety of being too late, so that every
body seemed sincerely to sympathiZe il
: my distress. When | was in the room
: talked as if he had been really present
, | answered my own questions in m
lords voice rs nearly as | could imitat
II. and walked uD and down. as II -