The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-11-29
CHAPTER XVII


''IN THE KINGS NAME"
On that dark night Of tragedy, when
Dorothea Ingram strangled her babe and
the minister's house was struck by light
ming, a man, unknown to any In the viii
lage, had arrived in Sagnauk. He
emerged from the woods just as the
thunderbolt fell and set the parsonage on
fire, and at the same time he saw, or
imagined he saw, Hillary's cabin sur
rounded with rosy light in which dusky
demons danced.
Who this man was, or whence he came,
no ore knew, and during the hurry OF
the day none thought to inquire. He
himself did not court inquiry, but after
few questions disappeared without bear
ing the message with which he was
laden to the Squire. And in the excite
ment which followed Dorothea's arrest
no one missed him.
Dorothea had been led back to her
prison after the trial, and q nigh OF
suspense was to be passed before the de-
cision of the Judges would be given.
They, with the Governor, retired from
the courtroom to private Office and
were there consulting upon the verdict
There is no doubt but that this woman
hath killed her child" said one OF the
Puritan Judges, sand the morning after
she was perfectly sane, as numerous wit
nesses testified"
"But," interrupted one Of his col
leagues, "who is to say when that In
sanity ended?
"Did she not appear sane the evening
before?"
ayes, nreplied the Judge who had inter.
posed in Dorothea's behalf; "she was.
But this question Of woman's sanity is
difficult one in her case, and do not
feel quite clear that we should adJudge
her guilty"
, "The Lord is merciful," here inter
posed the Governor, who before had said
nothing. @The Lord is merciful although
inst, and we should strive to initiate him
in mercy as well as justice"
"But she bears the reputation OF
WITCH" urged the first Judge.
"Yea, she bears it. But what may
each OF US not bear in Gods sight. But,
he continued, II am surprised to hear
such a remark from you. Has she not
been cleared Of that charger"
"Yea, but where there Is so much
smoke there must be fire."
aYou, then, are not willing to Judge
this poor woman by the evidence. You
are not worthy to occupy the position
you hold, and shall take steps to have
you removed as soon as possible. Now"
said the Governor to the other Judges,
ave must consider this case among our
selves, for will not allow the gentleman
who has just spoken to join us. He Is
prejudiced. This woman was cleared OF
the first charge-of witchcraft-and in
the evidence it was shown that She had
undergone long years OF persecution
enough to drive any one insane. But
on the other hand, we have had contln'
ual evidence Of the goodness OF her
heart. Could such woman as has been
pictured to you to-day kill her own
babe? I say no. The only point which
Is left for us to consider is whether she
was sale or not wien she committed the
crime, for crime it was, however done.
She was sane during the day previous,
and sane the next morning. Could she
have been crazy during the night? Up
on this point the case rests. This point"
he added impressively-"could the
woman Of SO many virtues murder hel
child in cold blood? If the evidence OF
her goodness is to be believed, she could
not. If it is false, we may safely accuse
her of murder"
When the Governor ceased there was
silence for q moment, no one caring tc
express an opinion hastily, and While
they were heSitating an officer Knocked
at the door, and, being admitted, stated
that there was special messenger from
the Crown who begged TO be admitted
at once.
The words 1.-THE Crown" were an open
sesame, and with all haste the Governor
and Judges prepared to receive him.
The wandcrer Of the forest entered
"Your Exccllency, Governor of the
Commonwealth Of Massachusetts,, and
We, honorable Judges Of the State,
/ come to you with safe conduct from
King George ILL.,. by whom was sent
upon a special but secret mission. The
affair is important and l beg you to hear
me at once"
The messenger from the King was
seated with all courtesy, and after mu-
tual siGutations was invited TO make
known his mission.
"To explain what my work in the new
world is" " be began, "allow me to give
you 3 bit of history. Twenty-Five years
ago the only daughter OF the Lord OF
Clancy married man far below her,
and together they emigrated TO America.
She was at once disowncd by her family.
Recently the old Lord Of CLANCY died,
and his title and estate is left entail to
this daughter. The man she married
was not bad man, but one, if l may say
it, little too rough in speech to suit his
elders. His name was Hillary, and we
have traced him to Boston and then to a
little settlement called Sagnauck. fol-
lowed my trail to that place and there
found Hillary dead, his wife, Lady
Clancy dead, and her daughter, Dorothea
Ingram, accused of the murder OF her
own babe. That woman ! am in search
of is now in your Jail. have in my
possession papers from the King de-
handing the speedy return OF Sir
Glancy's heirs to England. Innocent or
guilty, demand her in the Kings name.
Here are my papers"
CHAPTER XVIII
CONCLUSION.
When the next English ship sailed,