The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-06-15
CHAPTER vi.
THE FIRST WHISPERS.

TIE F1heT Wd1SPEhs.
The misfortune that befell John Wins
low happened at time when the people
of Salem were led to believe men,
women, and children we're in league with
the devil. The sermons of minister
who preached what many to-day regard
as an arid religion excited the apprehen-
sions of the intelligent, and intensified
the prejudices of the ignorant and super
stitious. The speculations of the edu.
Gated, the guarded language OF the men
of the closet and the bookworms, all
proved like the spark that fires the prairie
or forest in autumn. The consequences Of
Cotton Mather's utterances were far
reaching. The craze that swept over the
community, Influenced by his and others
teachings, was as appalling in moral
sense as the greatest confagfation that
ever swept the earth.
Men who had borne arms in defense OF
their families and their neighbors, who
had displayed extraordinary courage in
maintaining their love of liberty and re-
igious faith rrendered-bowed craven
like before the storm Of prejudice excited
against witches. Then was beheld the
most pitiable exhibition Of cowardice
too tredulous people ever presented to
the world. Women and bapes were i'm
prisoned upon the most fimsy charges.
Women. whose lives were pure, whose
conduct afforded no ground for suspicion,
were torn from their homes, immured in
prison, and hanged. Some wretched
creature whispered they were guilty Of
witchcraft; the story was repeated until
the authorities were compelled to take
cognizance Of the circumstances. A trial
or hearings followed, which in these days
would be termed farce; those charged
with witchcraft were returned to prison,
confined there many months, and some
we're hanged.
The time was ripe for accusations Of
this nature when the people of Salem
learned that John Winslow's horse and
sheep were killed in the open field. In
stantly the tongue of rumor ascribed
this act Of unparalleled barbarity to
witches. The rumor spread rapidly. A
hundred tongues were wagging at the
same time.'
There were no detectives in those days
of simplicity and severe living; no news
paper reporters assisting justice and
competing for the latest news. The as
sumption that the horses throat, even if
cut by mortal hands, was evidence Of the
presence of witches, was not openly
QueSt1OuoQ, duO upOu tu1o
the community rested and based all fu.
tnre action.
The public temper was il this condi-
ton when the Marshal of Salem encoun-
tered Giles Ellis.
This is q strange affair of Master
Winslow's," said Samuel Hobbs.
NO stranger than many other things
Giles answered. He looked meaningly at
the Marshal.
You speak vaguely. Is there aught I
should know in my capscity?'
NO, no, Master Hobbs. make no
charges. Far from it. You will have
plenty Of work to your hands without
any Of my adding. But I hear strange
rumors concerning the Lees"
The Marshal looked grave. THE Lees.
Then I. for one, speaking as man, say
it is time gossips gave their tongues rest:
It will be hard to make men believe i'll Of
John Lee. know no braver, no better
citizen or friend than John Lee. Why,
was it not his hand saved my life when
the Indian had me at his mercy? No, no!
You will 90 far. yet find no man in Mas
sschusetts VINO thinks i'll OF john Lee"
said the Marshal, warmly.
lTo BE CONTINUED