The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1904-11-18
CHAPTER !
swatfham and De Wick.

L During tne seventeenth century
Swaffham Manor House was one of
the most picturesque dwellings In
CGmbridgeshire. 1t was SO old that it
had a sort of personality. It was the
history of. the Swaffham family in
stone and timber
The central tower-built of the
white stone of the ncighborhood-w
the fortress which Tonbert Swaffham
erected A. ID. $40, to defend his lands
from an invasion of the Danes; and
five generations ct Tonbert's descen.
dants dwelt in that tower, before Will
liam of Normandy took possession of
the crown of England. The Swaffham
| OF that date becamce friend of the
Conqueror; and the Manor House had
the singular fortune to be identified
with the stirring events of every
dynasty.
In the middle of the seventeenth
century it still retained this character
Puritan councils of offcnse and de-
Tense had been held in its great hail.
and parliamentary soldiers drilled in
Its meadows. For Capt Israel Swat
kan was the friend Of Gen. Cromwell,
and at the time this story opens was
with Cromwell in Scotland.
A great fighter, he had no parlia-
neatary talent, and no respect for
parliaments. He believed England's
religious and civil liberties were to be
saved by the sword. and when the
Kings fast-aad-loose proposals had
been discussed by the men of Cam.
bridgeshire, in Swaffham, he had
closed the argument with this passion
eto declaration:
There is no longer disputlng with
such double mind as the mind of
Charles Stuart. The very oath of God
would not bind him. Out, instantly,
ell of you who CAM"
His three sons rose at his words and
the rest ct the council followed, for
all felt that the work was but half
done-there was to be a Second Civil
War. Then home was again deserted
for the battlefield, and Capt. Swat
hams wife and daughter were once
more left alone in the old Manor
House.
Mrs. Swaffham was the child of a
Puritan minister, and she had strong
principles, but there were hours when
she had pitied the late Ming, excused
his inexcusable treacheries, and re-
GREETED the ponps ana ceremonies of
royal state.
Jane Swaffham was of different
spirit. She had a soul of the highest
mettle; and she had listened to those
English mystics, who came out Of the
steel ranks or triumphant Puritanism,
until she had caught their spirit and
been filled through and through with
their faith. 3
This was the maiden who was SIT
ting. one sunny afternoon, at the open
window of the household parlor in
Swaffham. She was thinking Of her
father and brothers, of the unhappy
condition of England, and Of the. un-
rest in their own household For she
knew that her mother was worried
about many things. and the fret that
was bred in the kitchen and the farm
ottices-in spite of all her Efforts
insinuated itself into the still order
of the handsome room in which she
was sitting.
At this moment there was the.
sound Of wheels and the tramp OF
horses, and Jane said, 1T is Matilda
de Wick. know the roll OF the car
rage" Then Jane lifted her sewing,
and the wheel began to hum, and the
door opened swiftly and Matilda de,
Wick entered
Il have just been at Ely she said.
and il live seven-and-fifty years,
longer in this sinful world, l shall not
forget the visit. have been visiting
Lady Heneage, and have heard SO
much of the CromwelPs full cup that,
in faith, I think it has gone to- my
head"
Il trust Lady Heneage is .~ell,"
said Mrs. Swaffham.
She had need to be- we'll. Her
house is as full as the ark. Mrs.
Elizabeth Hampden is there. and
daughter Flambord, and daughter
Clayton, and all their children and
retainers. 1t is their last gathering
before they go away. Do you wish
to know where they are going? To
london. of Course
And they are going to London? Is
it really so?'' asked Jane.
Ills not very civil to doubt it. But
chat is not all of my news-I heard
also that Jane Swaffham was going
to London-a thing / would not be-
licve without James assurance"
1T is very uncertain" replied Mrs.
Swaffham. Jane has an invitation
from Mary Cromwell, and If Doctor
Verify comes here soon, he may find
the time to take her to London with
him. We know not assuredly, as
YET
Jane must move mountains to 60.
The Cromwells are now living In the
stately Cockpit. They will hold court
there, and Jane swaffhams viii be Of
iit.p ss9g ,;5 b
[ Il am sure OF one thing" answered;
Jane. Public honors please not Gen.
! t I.riE =