The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1892-10-15
PEG WESSON.

pFf4 WESSON
mn -D-''
It was in March, 17l5, and the com
pany raised in Gloucester to Join the ex-
pedition against Louisburg was TO leave
town with the rising Of the morrows
sun. In the spring twilight three young
men made their way, with noisy Jest
and song, toward a wretched cottage
that stood in the outskirts Of the town
and raped loudly for admittance
The door was opened by a withered
old crone. A candle, burning on a
small table, dimly revealed the black
ened walls Of the interior, the lunches
Of herbs hanging from the ceiling, a
scant supply of battered pewter plates
and coarse earthenware on some shelves
in corner, few old chairs and pack
Of worn and greasy cards apparently
just flung down.
What ye here for2 Off with yep cried
the old woman when she saw who her
visitors were.
"Oh, now, Peggy said the tallest Of
the three in a wheedling tone, "we're
of in the morning for Louisburg, you
know, and we thought we'd pay you a
farewell visit and get our fortunes told"
"I'll warrant ye've no siller to payme
wi, Martin Sanders" ," said Peggy, keep
ing firm grip on the door and pushing
it little closer as she spoke.
"Here's bright new silver sixpence
for ye," displaying it as he spoke, "and
Tom and~Job have more Of the same
sort SO now let us come in and give
us a good send OFF"
The money proved an argument not
to be gainsaid, and Peggy admitted
them. When they were seated she took
up her cards, shuflled them and pro-
ceeded to tell the young mems fortunes.
Job Ayers came first, then Tom Good
win. When Martin Sanders turn came,
and Goody Wesson crossed his palm
with the coin he handed her, his imper-
turbable gravity, contrasted with the
irrepressible snickering Of his compan-
ions, made her suddenly suspicious. She
gave him a searching glance; then, as
she was about to place the coin on the
table with the others, she scrutinized it
keenly and balanced it on her hand.
toward the door, But not the ghost of
smile passed over Martin Sanders
face. Peg struck the coin smartly
against the base of the iron candlestick
and listened to the sound, then pressed
1t against the edge of the table. 1t bent
with the pressure.
Course ye, Mart Sanders she cried
in sudden furyi ''it's lead!'
Then Martin Sanders laughed, and the
three, roaring with laughter at the
result of their poor trick, opened the
door of Goody Wegson's cot and rushed
out into the night.
She ran after them, brandishing her
staff and raYing like mad woman,
Course ye, Mart Sanders" she
screamedi "curse tn three Of ye, body
and breath, hesh and bone! Curse ye
| lying down ana rising up sleeping and
waking living and dying! I'll take
vengeance on ye at Louisburg! The
night WIND bore the dismal threat and
It's repetiuon TO their cars ana sllenced
their laughter as they ran down the hill
to their homes IN the more thiclly set
tied part OF the-town
The great fleet Of nearly 100 vessels,
that made up the expedition against
Louisburg sailed from Boston on the
1st day Of April. Favored by wind and
weather it soon reached Cape Breton,
and was coasting along the shore of that
island toward its destined haven. In
many Of the vessels the soldiers We're
watching the hills and woods on shore
with the interest inspired bynew sceues,
but every indentation Of the coast was
familiar to most of the Gloucester men,
for they had often been there on their
fishing voyages Their attention was
attracted to the singular movements of
a solitary crow that lowered -persistently
above them, now and then alighting ON
the topmast.
As they were entering the harbor Of
Louisburg, Martin Sanders was sent for
ward to assist in furling the lib. A
rope parted suddenly under his feet and
he fell headlong into the sea.
The last sound that fell upon his ears
before the rushing waters closed over
him was the hoarse screaming Of the
crow. A powerful current was running.
and it was only with great difficulty
that Sanders was rescued.
w men 'lio exc, l,eiilenI was over, anu
lue nan CIo"neu man W"9 oiIoe illui'
sadSly On uecAi tne crow L".' uisap I1e'l GU
Inc Aees O"S' "H0loi III Vie mar ''11 20,
anu countess uoals 'ooA 'lle lIen on
snore' belote tne slegS ooui9 com,
Ilehce me cannon luuaV ue l"lueu anu
placed IN iAyoiaole p9sl'loh' IL was
ardoous loiI' ior the son was DOGGY ana
the men oItgh SANG 10 'ne X Alees' Dul All
worked Wi'n WIZ anu lne guns one
aiter ahotn''' Wee iluusu'
+ 0ooaWlh ana ayers WIN olheis' were
Y Dragging cannon on q slease liIousi y
s halt frozen mul when suddenly with q
y Whir OF wings a crow ahgnteu on ~
JOB ayers made a oasn az it win ms
cap. AT lAe very instant thal ne olu s.
the rear OF the sledge sank IN tine ueach
erous soil, the cannon gave q sudden
lurch and the arm he mad hung ont wa
caught between the cannon ana sieag'
and hopelessly crushed. The nntoftu
nate man was carried into camp ana m'
arm amputated
Il The work OF the siege went on day
e after day Foraging parties were sem
3 out sometimes, Tor the rauons wer'
, so,,.,.,,.+ .+.1a .,1 ,,,uo+,uo,s an,
n tl,a-o ,,-as .,..eIl,,'t 80 T., alr,,,d,,c
< n, ~ ,,jc;,,it,. 60 an5 Cao5,,.i,
-, 49,, ,s ,.,..i, d -
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