Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1888-12-06

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was turned out in disgraee-it matters
not which-aud, am ashamed to say
but he looked delighted took to the
road, where he is now known everywhere
as Black Ralph or Bloody Ralph
Are you quite sure of what you say q
CAS- sure as am that he win be hanged
as soon as he is caught"
| know not by what reasons Mathew
persuaded himself if indeed he did per.
suade himself. that Black Ralph, who was
a notorious highwayman about this time,
and practiced his wicked calling on the
York road. was Ralph Embleton. Yet he
made so certain of it that he told-under
strict promise Of sccrecy-the barber, who
told everyt ody, also under promise Of
secrecy, and it was noised abroad that the
distinction of giving birth to the most
bloodthirsty villain in England belonged
to Warkworth. and many people advised
Mathew to 60 armed and to provide his
house with loaded blunderbuss, bull
dog and few man traps, because his
cousin would probably visit him with In
tent to murder as we'll as rob.
Il suppose" Mathew went on to me,
that you win now give up thinking of
that young vTgabond A pretty glrl like
You should throw your thoughts higher.
Why, though your fathers beggar, as
one may say
HE Is not beggar SO long as my grand
mother lives"
Perhaps that win not DO much longer,
he replied with an ugly grin. Now,
Drusilla, listen to me. You know that
I've set my fancy upon you. I've been
waiting just till you grew up, and then
for-for one or two little things to ripen
which have now ripened and turned out
pretty we'll Now that everything is
ready. there is no reason to wait any
longer. Ralph being highwayman and
certain to be hanged"--
"Then. Mathew, replied. al will wait
until he is hanged. and then you can talk
TO me again If you like. Now, go away.
and leave me to my work"
He went away for the time. and next
morning his sister Barbara came. She
was at first mysterious about sudden
changes Of fortune, unexpected reverses.
and the judgments of angered heaven.
These things did not then consider as
pertaining to myself, because knew not
how | had especially angered heaven,
more, that is. than thoughtless youth
may do at any time. and yet obtain for
giveness by daily prayer. She also added
certain exhortation to kiss the rod,
which | pass over Then she launched
into praises Of her brother He was most
industrious. she said; up early and to
work before daybreak; he was full OF re-
ligion. which surprised me very much to
hear; he was thrifty and had already
saved large sum Of uloney--this. found
afterward. was false. he could provide a
comfortable home, and happy. indeed.
she added. would be tho woman on whom
his choice should fall Added to this that
be was no longer young and scatter
Drained but arrived at the sober age Of
three or four and thirty: and that
Mathew wife would have the advantage
Of her own society help example and
ldmonition
told her that Mathew had got his
answer. and that thought II hard that
woman could not be supposed to know her
own mind in SO important matter
"What is your answer, then2" she
asked.
"a will talk to Mathew on the subject
again, replied. when Ralph is hanged,
since this is thing which both you and
he desire so vehemently."
Two days afterward Mathew himself
met me as was on my way to the castle.
He begged me to give him another hear
ing. and. as could not refuse SO simple a
thing. led him by the path below the
castle to the bank of the river. where he
could talk at his ease and unheard
First 1t was the same story Would
forget the young villain and marry himf
He was SO much In love with me, that he
would not say as some men-not 30 rich,
mind you. as himself-would say. that
might 60 hang myself in my garters for
aught he cared. He would forgive my
disrespect and impudence he would for
get the past altogether people should see
that be was Of truly noble and forgiving
disposition, he would give mo another
chance, so great was his generosity. Very
well, then. would | marry him9
replied very gravely. that he had al
reaoy received his answer When Ralph
was hanged. and not before, ] would listen
to him Then asked him seriously why
he thought SO meanly Of me as to try this
trumpet up story about play actors and
hiqhwaymen upon me. and reminded him
Of what a truly wicked disposition he
must be- thus to glory and delight in tho
supposed wickedness of his cousin, whose
guardian he had been. and whose lands he
now occupied.
lie grew angry at this plain speaking,
and began to swear. as is tho wont OF
such men. IL kindness would not move
me. he said. something else should be
tried. thought was free and independ-
ent of him. did II should see what
power was in his hands. and what mis-
chief he could do me- ] was young and
imprudent. 1t chafed me to hear that he,
and such q man as he. could do me harm
as If the meanest wretch who ever lived
cannot do harm-and | told him what !
ought to have kept a secret. that so long
as Ralph lived ! should not want pro
tector. and that, so far from his being a
highwayman, knew certainly that he
was prosperous gentleman, already held
In great honor, and respected by all.
He was so staggered by this intelli-
gence that | thought he was going TO
have some kind Of fit. Consider how
much II meant to him; he would certainly
have to give up the mill, and to render
strict account Of all his doings; he would
be reduced to the station of poor small
farmer; he would be robbed Of his re-
venge; and he would be convicted as a
slanderer and caluminous person. If that
mattered aught-
First he clustered and threatened.
dared, did |. TO reproaeh him; very good,
should see what things he could do; ]
should laugh the other side of my mouth
Did refuse this offer2 Very we'll, then.
/ should find ont what his dispieasure
meant. And. perhaps. before long !
should be sorry for the insult ] had Of
fered him and the proposal had refused.
He then flung away. becoming ut this
point speechless. and indeed be looked so
angry that ! was afraid he would have
thrown me into the stream.
went home, and said nothing to any
Iod, ahor,t thu business: but ! was