The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-01-22
Tho Earl of f:ssex's Ring.

The gay and accomplished Earl OF ESSEX
occupied proud and enviable position.
He was the favorite courtier of Queen
Elizabeth, and had been loaded with honors
and made Lord-Deputy of Ireland. More
over, he had received distinguishing
proof of the affection Of his royal mistress
iii the gift of a ring, accompan cd with the
promise, ",rhat should he ever forfeit her
favor 10 return it TO her, and the sight OF
it would Immediately ensure his forgive
ness"
But the alluring favor of sovereign is
often fluctuating and dangerous. Dark.
ness and sorrow soon overlook the prout
Earl of Essex. He was sent a close prise
ncr to the gloomy Tower, under charge
of high treason, and he must yield his
life rs penalty for his crime. Elizabeth,
with bold hand, had signed the death
warrant, and the time for Ills execution was
| rapidly approaching.
| He had been conducted to prison in
way most narrowing to his sensitive SPIT.
| The death instrumcnt---the axc-had ven
carried in advance of him, with its h"rp
edge full in his view, and q mcrcilep curl
Gus crowd had followed, cruelty auh'lhs
him.
But his greatest danger carr from his
rivals and enemies. There we coHItl.ls m,sna
high in power and in favor WI tle Queen
who gloltcd in his down!a,3'ho thlrs'Su ior
his blood. II,
1t was a terrible time. n inc uaior,Ynutc
Essex, and his soul wg shrouoeu ~ f"cA-
ness. His doom apparea neVl'aole1 ,! ,
At last faint ay OF hght afoY Mho
struggled for NASTY IN his BOSOM Inc
Queens gift, the ang was ID DIS lYssess-
ion, and he rcmenDerea her Promlsef ioS-
sibly it might yad to his de,lVcrani'
How could Ae get 1t 70 herT r wei
knew he was arroundcd ny treaciTy, ana
it was dillcuyto distinguish 1rlcqs IRON
foes. CoulGho trusty messenger found
to whom le could conildo the precious
pledge of ,ast favor to his royal distress,
and be ce1a,n it could reach hert
Long id he wrcstle with Prturlng
doubts aid fears, and after mucfeiiection
he dedded to make confidall OF the
Count(ss of Nottingham. She always
sccmhgly manifested a strongftcrest in
him, and had constant access toe Queen.
Accordingly, she was sent fo4nd Essex
gave her the rlng, and beggedfr 10 take
, it to Elizabeth and cntrcat hfoyal par
don for his offence.
Unfortunate Essex! The sscnger he
had chosen in this dark hour fcspa'r and |
agony was secret and bittef1chy. AS
{ soon as the Countess Of Nqgham had |
gained the ring, she hurried N II to her
, husband, and they muluallTeed TO con-
8 ceal tho ling and never rdl IL TO the |
8 Queen that it had been sent
In the meantime, Elizf. tho great
n sovereign of England, waircly agitated
d and sorrowful. She had ay signed tho
# death warrant Of tho EaPi Essex, but
II without designing il exeiDn: Ills rich
: and versatile talents andMfold attrac-
Y tions had won her affectihnd She anx-
e ious to save him. He per pledge OF
past favor-the ring--anf royal prom
ise tina; when she wouPchold It, 1t
would ensure pardon forloilencc. Why
:. did he not return 1t to Ills conduct
4 was unaccountable. pa this high
y spirited nobleman prefetuifer an igno-
), minious death on the ia rather than
r ask clemency.
n There was no solutif the mystery;
and 40 the hours passed As messenger