Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1890-12-19
-ro, samue1,-- tnus Dorothy SPOKE.

Then, let me bssy here before you all
that this maid shall not be whipped and
pilloried l will kill the man who lifts his
hand against her." and the young man
threw his arm around the girl and held her
in firm embrace. "Do you wish to kill herr
For if she is whipped it will kill her, and if
her me-"
Now the magistrate and deputies were
amazed, for they had never before seen so
strange a sight as this. SO they consulted
with each other what they should do, and
they fixed upon u punishment for the
young man. But when they looked up to
pronounce sentence on him they saw an
other sight which amazed them even
more; for there stood before them man
of strange appearance. His beard was as
white as the snow and long, like that of a
prophet His hair fell upon his shoulders
His dress was concealed by long cloak,
and he had placed one hand upon the head
of the maid, while the other was uplifted
with admonitory gesture.
When he spoke his voice was soft but
like one who has authority, and his manner
was solemn, and not like the manner of
any man whom they had ever seen.
"This child has done no evil he began.
''1f there be evil done did it, for l taught
her this morning that for all who love our
Lord this is the day that commentaries
his birth. To that blessed country where
God reigns ! soon, trust, shall go, for
have kept the faith against such ADVERSE
ries as you have never met. / warn YOU,
oh, you proud magistrate, lift no arm of
punishment against this child for as
truly as God reads all hearts he reads in
hers as sinless record as mortals can ever
make. The judgment of God be upon you
If you permit wrong to be done this child"
He spoke as one inspired, and as he
stood with one hand uplifted he seemed
like prophet among them.
"Who are your" the magistrate asked
with hesitating voice.
Gods servant and | say that this maid
shall he blessed and her children shall rise
and call her blessed, because she has this
day served him."
When the magistrate and the deputies
heard these words they spoke with one
another for some moments, and when they
lifted their eyes again the old man had
gone as silently and mysteriously as he
came.
For an hour the magistrate and the
deputies consulted together. Then the con-
stable was commanded to take the girl and
execute the sentence, but as he approached
her Samuel put her behind him and faced
the officer. His look was terrible and the
constable knew the strength of his arm, so
they stood silently facing one another
Suddenly noise like the coming of horses
was heard. The door opened and there
entered some of the kings officers, and
with them the governor of the colony, Mr.
Leete
SIN his majesty's name, if you know
where Edward Whalley and William COTE,
two of the judges who caused Charles the
First to be beneaded lie concealed | charge
you to deliver theml'' said an officer.
"The regicides!' said the magistrate
speaking in broken tones.
Aye, the regicides. We have heard they
are concealed here"
Had one ii venerable beard?"
"Aye William Goife.'
"'Twas he, Cromwell's general" said the
magistrate, a though speaking to himself
"'Twas he said the deputies >olemnly.
Then Abner said to the officer, zone of
them was here an hour ago"
But is here no longer" said Governor
Leete, speaking for the first time. These
men came to Ine many days ago ana asked
for shelter. As had not then received the
Kings command To deliver them permit
ted them to lie in the cellar beneath this
room For though an loyal to the king
and my people honor Cromwell and his
Iicutenauts. My maid Dorothy has for
many days taken them food. and she and
alone knew of their presence. | charged
her to tell no man. But when the king
commands | obey, and | have brought the
officers here. Yet | am glad t. say that
within the hour, being warned of your
coming, but not by me, they have escaped.
You will see their tracks in the snow, and
they are now rapidly sailing in vessel on
the Long Island sound. What do you
here, Dorothy"
They have sentenced me to the lash
master, because kept my promise to you,
and twas this heavenly minded man who
greeted me this morning with these words,
i wish you merry Christmas"
"To the LASH"
Eyes. master"
and were about to administer it?"
But for Samuel they would already
have whipped me-"
God be praised that this maid would
have suffered the lash rather than betray
either her VOID or these prosecuted and
righteous men, COTE and Whalley She
Shall henceforth be not my maid but my
daughter said the governor, embracing
the girl. Then turning to the magistrate
he said: Il will remit her sentence, and
because it is indeed the Christmas day /
will remit the sentences of all these prison
ers Let my house be opened this day.
Let all come and make merry. 1t shall be
made merry Christmas for ALL as used
to know it when | was a child in Eng
land"
And it was as the governor had ordered
on that day and after. And then through
Dorothy Deals suffering and peril there
began in that colony the habit, as in other
lands, of merry making and good cheer
upon Christmas day.
The prophecy Of the regicide COTE was
fulfilled The children of Samuel and Dor
othy became men of authority. and they
did call her blessed l.. j. EDWARDS
The Best Day of All.