Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1881-07-14

Laud deprive old Jonathan Catchpole
Of his three sons, and Margaret Of her
three brothers.
The Catchpole family became the
object of suspicion and distrust in the
neighborhOCd. Strange stories were cir
culated relative to Margaret's connec-
ton with the smugglers. The conse-
quence was that old Jonathan was com
PEELED to change, his abode, and from a
regular workman he became a jobbing
laborer, obtaining employment when
and where he could.
Meantime the name of William Laud
grew famous-or rather infamous; and
the deeds which distinguished him IN
his desperate avocations, and in the
constant collision with which he and
the preventive officers found them
selves, became the theme of general
conversation. In one of these encoun-
tiers William Laud was fearfully wound
ed in the head, and was conveyed to
Captain Bargood's house. The same
sailor whom we have already seen Wis
iting the Catchpole's and whose name
was John Luff, now called upon Mar
garet, and implored her to hasten to
the presence of the wounded man.
Nor for one moment did Margaret hest
tate. She was deeply attached to VIII
liam; and she now had two objects in
view. She was anxious to tend him OF
his sick couch; and she longed to draw
him away from his desperate course of
life.
She accordingly fastened to the house
where William lay concealed under the
protection Of Captain Bargood, his pa
iron. The lovers now met after sepa-
ration of two years; and for few mo-
ments the past conduct of Laud was
entirely forgotten by the affectionate
girl. She then dressed his wounds, and
resolved upon Remaining with him I'M
til his recovery. She constantly seized
opportunities of demonstrating with
Laud upon his illegal aad dangerous
pursuits. She endeavored to awaken
religious feelings in his mind by read
ing the Bible to him; and there were
moments when she really made a deep
impression upon him. Weeks passed
away and she never deserted him. He
at length recovered, and faithfully
promised her to quit his former COM
panions and ways, and enter on board
Dutch trader. She believed him.
They parted once again, and Margaret
felt happy under the impression that
she had worked a great and important
change in her lovers mind and condi-
ton.
She now seriously thought of going
out to service, and through some kind
friends who still looked favorably upon
her, she obtained place at the PriOry
farm, belonging to Mr.. and Mrs. Wake,
at Downhan Reach. She proceeded to
her situation in 1892, and became a SER
want of all work. There was young
man employed upon the farm whose
name was John Barry. He soon be-
came enamored of Margaret and pro
posed to her. She at once, and with
extreme candor, revealed to him her
attachment and engagement with Will
lam Laud, declaring at the same time
that she would never marry another so
long as William Laud was alive.
In the meantime William Laud had
returned to his old pursuits, and was
again the commander OF q desperate
band of smugglers. His passion for
Margaret amounted almost to species
of madness, and he determined to pos
sess her. He communicated his feel
ings and his wishes to John Luf, and
this black-hearted villain proposed that
they should carry her off. William
might then marry her in Holland
This proposition was well received by
Margaret's lover, and it was resolved to
put the scheme into immediate effect
A note was sent to the Priory farm to
inform Margaret that William was most
anxious to see her, and appointed a
time and place for the interview. the
time was evening, the place the sea-
shore. The reader need scarcely be
told that Margaret gladly flew to the
appointment. She believed that her
lover had abandoned his late desperate
courses, and had become an honest
man. 1t was therefore with the more
readiness and with greater JOY that she
repaired to the coast where she Was to
meet him.
He landed from little boat and in a
few moments they were in each others
arms. He then hastily implored her
to accompany him to Holland where
their hands should be united. She re-
fused; a vague suspicion of evil darted
into her mind. That fear was in an
other instant confirmed, for the light of
the moon revealed to her the person of
John Luff in the rear, who kept watch
at little distance. Then the poor
girl felt afraid. Could it be possible?
Had William deceived her? Was he
once more the companion of SNUG
glers?
She expressed her alarm to William:
He laughed and answered evasively.
She began to reprove him mildly, and
implore him to listen to her warming
voice.
At that moment the voice ofLuff was
heard:
"Come Bill, none of this delay; the
representatives. are about?"
Laud seized Margaret around the
waist and hurried toward the boat,
whispering in her ear:
Forgive me, dear girl, forgive me; it
is my love that makes me thus des-
perate."
But Margaret would not be pacifed
she struggled and screamed; still Laud
relinquished not his hold. Already was
the margin of the ocean gained, when
a person rushed from the adjacent
copse, sprang upon the smugglers, and
felled William Laud to the ground.
Margaret escaped; but Laud darted
with demoniac rage and intent upon
her deliverer. The latter had but a
short ash stick in his hand, still he