The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-03-21
first to hear OF 1t. sad though 1t be. yet

some WICKED IalSenOOu, i suppose you
have got something to tell me about
Ralph. whom your cruel conduct drove
out into the world?'
Nay" he replied. looking darkly. yet
with smile. you may say what you
please; you cannot offend me. have just
come from Alnwick. where sold four fat
beasts At the inn fell in with g stroll
ing player, and talked with Kim over
glass about his wandering life. Presently
asked him whether he had seen any
where upon his travels. especially in
places where actors like himself. with
profigates and thieves resort, such lad
as Ralph It is wonderful to relate that
he remembered seeing the boy at place
called Grantham. 1t was about six or
seven years ago. The reprobate Lad was
making love-to young actress. When
my informant came across the party again
Ralph had left them
At first | concluded that this was sheer
fabrication, but afterward CLEANED that it
was to a certain extent true, that is. that
Ralph had made the acquaintance of the
actress and her family on his way to Lon
don. but there was no love making How
could there be. when he was already in
| love with me? And what follows was
pure and clumsy invention.
HE wandered about with them playing
and acting" Mathew went on, for four
or five years Then he deserted them. or
was turned out in disgrace-it matters
not whch-and. am ashamed to say
| but he looked delightfully."- to the
/ road. where he is now known everywhere
as Black Ralph or Bloody Ralph"
Are you quite sure of what you say?"
"As sure as am that he will 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
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 secrecy-the barber. who
told everybody. 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 go armed and to provide mis-
! house with a loaded blunderbuss, a bull
dog and a few man traps because his
cousin would probably visit him with in
tent to murder as well as rob.
Il suppose, Mathew went on to me,
that you will now give up thinking of
that young vagabond a pretty girl like
| you should throw your thoughts higher
Why, though your fathers beggar. as
one may say
He is not a beggar 80 long as my grand
mother lives"
Perhaps that will not be 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 well Now that everything is
ready there is no reason to wait any
longer Ralph being a highwayman and
certain to be hanged
Then. Mathew" replied. Il 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
! tigion, which surprised me very much to
hear; he was thrifty and had already
saved large sum of money-this. | found
afterward, was false he could provide "a
comfortable home. and happy indeed
she added would be the woman on whom
his choice should fall Added to this that
he was no longer young and scatter
Drained. but arrived at the sober age of
three or four land thirty; and that
Mathews wife would have the advantage
of her own society. help, example and
admonition
told her that Mathew had got his
answer. and that thought it hard that a
woman could p4t be supposed to know her
own mind in so important matter
'l.,t IL.
asked
81 will talk to Mathew on the subject
again. | replied. when Raj phi is hanged,
since this is thing which both you and
he desire so vehemently
Two days afterward Mathew himself
met me as was OIL 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 it was the same story Would
forget the young villain and marry himt
He was so much in love with me, that he
would not say as some men-not so rich,
mind you. as himself-would say. that |
might go 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 he was of a truly noble and forgiving
disposition; he would give me another
chance so great was his generosity. Very
we'll. then. would | marry him?
replied very gravely that he had al
ready 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