The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-11-20

heard: to tell the story of the magic
books; to cite the interviews with the
intidel Calef, and to point to her life
as not belonging to common affairs.
The great golden cup itself might
prove Il witness against her. Did ever
a woman receive a gold goblet in such
way outside of the tales of enchant-
ment. A farm on the Charles river had
been her early home, and she wished
for a simple life again, in some rural
cottage, into whose doors envy and
jealousy and revenge did not come.
Eleven! How single evil sugges-
ton may change the whole color of life!
How soon may be the transition from
the light to the shadow. Contentment
is happiness. and she would be content
to dwell under the shadows of COM
mon lot. If only the truth could be made
clear and her good name be spared.
Wishing the happiness Of everyone, un-
selfish in motive and blameless in life.
visions Of what might arise from such
a charge lifted thir unwelcome forms
darker and darker before her, like the
incoming clouds of a tempest after long
days of sun and calm.
For the first time she knew what the
heart might suffer. She pitied the so-
called witches in prison, and saw the
helpless agonies through which some
had gone to death.
She saw the true value Of the accusa-
tions that had been made on what was
known as witch testimony" or the
fancies Of those supposed to have been
bewitched.
Yet there was something real in these
delusions? Might not an evil-minded
person exert a destructive influence
over another, and would such an intiu
ence not be of the worst of crimes? If
there be an inward power that builds
men by the inspiration of faith in them.
might there not be such a power to
destroy? Might not one, indeed. cast
IAN evil eye" that would wither? Did
not the dispositions of the good towards
men have their effects. and lift the
wing of life, and was it not 50 with
evil volition-might not a wish wither?
Midnight.
Her resolution came back to her. She
My Dear Husband:-I am accused of
witchcraft. Return at once.
The testimony of witches must no lon.
ger be taken in any courts of law.
You know that l am innocent
But think of how many people as in
nocent as have already suffered impris-
Onment and death.
You must take firm stand
Your Afflicted Wife.
Sir William Phipps' chariot came fly
ing back to Boston town. The gov
ernor was in terrible rage; his good
resolutions of self-restraint seemed to
have been thrown to the wind. His
first question as he met his wife, and
saw her altered face, was:
who has done this thing?"
Jane Cone is my accuser; 1t has not
come to the public yet"
Il will throttle the hag!"
HNn. in this hour nf tpsf yNillio ~,
Phipps, you will do just right. You
once did an injury to her boy, and this
Is the time of the harvests of revenges -
"It is lightning stroke on dark
road. I see the way"
II thought that l saw the way, but
wa9 not sure"
"What am l to do?'
you must make it known that witch
testimony cannot be taken in the
courts"
'Bu the Mathers. and the clergy?"
1.-THE Mathers? The Guises compel
me-, said the French king to the HUI
guenot potter. Then you are no long
er a king said the potter. Is Cotton
Mather or are you the civil governor
of this province?"
II see my duty. I can see how witch
testimony may arise from revengeful
motives, and how 1t may be lie and a
NciuSAoh' haNc Aoiio"cu tile CouHsels
of wise and good men who meant we'll
But the Guises' shall not compel me.
have come, under your influence to
make my conscience my law of life
and there shall never be another trial
in New England on the accusation of
witches, never, never, since you, my
wife, are in peril of being accused"
There came into his face a moral
force that was ennobling. Then his
countenance fell again, and he said:
But the hag?"
You have done her wrong. She has
a complaint against you. You must &c
to her and right your own wrong! Yo,
said that your conscience had become
your law of life. Has it?"
He stood silent.
He had come to the turning point OF
his moral and spiritual history! III