The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-03-27
Lord BerkIy Plays at Blind
Mans Bluff.

around nlIQ, ana tipOI IdiSi AC
could even tolsTate a little Joking upon
himself; but the joking upon him was
ever of q mild and harmless nature even
as his own upon others was seasoned
highly land far too highly for the lik-
ing of any but his own strong palate)
with buccaneer spice. Thus for my
lords likes. There We're others; (Marian
Tlegellis) and dislikes. too; and chief
among these was my lords hatred of a
dissenter
The first time l ever saw Lord Berkeley
was through the frosty panes of a front
window in Will Wallwood's ordinary;
and MY look at him then was not a good
one because lady was standing before
the window looking out too, at his lord
ship coming in; and being seated before
the fire across the room from her / could
but careen my neck for romentary
peep between the little space made by
the curve in her waist and her arm by
her side. And whilst / listened for the
grind of my lords boot heels upon the
step my gaze fell on the fairest, daintiest
little wrist from which dangled by sill
yer chain riding crop. 1t was the fair
est, daintiest little wrist that had ever
before blest my eyesight out there in that
wilderness of the kings possessions.
Small wonder it is that fresher hearts
and lustier than Lord Berkeley's should
have kindled up along with his at sight
of Moll Tregellis' beauty.
How | came to be sitting there that
morning by WalWoods fire was an Incl
dent, the result of a series of events that
began back in the year 164S, in Nanse
mond county when Lord Berkeley fell
upon q settlement of conformists
scattered them before his wrath like a
flock of trighted birds. Soma of them
fed across the border into Carolina and
were swallowed UP by its kindly forest;
while others made their way 10 Mary
land and settled there. Among those
who had gone into Maryland was one
William Durant. Lord Berkeley knew that
Durant's son was in Carolina; and he
knew also that non-conformity was rife
there and he believed that Durants son
was helping non-conformity to grow. As
an excuse to get his hands on Durant he
had sent Durant word to come over into
Virginia and pay his quitrents. Durant
suspected Lord Berkley's design and had
asked me to go in his stead.
The waiting for Lord Berkeley to come
in was but momentary even as my glimpse
ar the lady was fleeting. The door pres
emily swung open and his lordship enter
ed, whereupon the lady turned and made
hu a courtesy as graceful as when u
festo on of moss that hangs from the tree
limbs down by the river sways before
a little puff of summer wind; and She
smiled in that sweet manner that l
think Springtime must smile when she
thrills all the barren stems and sets
them adjoining
MY Lord, see how industrious am L?
The first to be ready by ten minutes"
she exclaimed
''Ay, and in beauty the very first by as
many times IS there are seconds in ten
minutes" replied his lordship, bowling
lew. but am i so late?" he asked,
catching sight OF me, who taken up with
looking ON beauty and nobility sat gazing
like a clout.
Your honor ard lordship please
said, rising, Il am Samuel Spencer, OF
Albemarle county, Carolina, and I am
come to answer and satisfy the summons
to George Durant, of Perquimans pre-
circt, to pay his quitrents.''
20, SO you are!" said his lordship
Il am, and, please your lordship, |
would like to dispatch this business and
get back to Carolina as soon as | may
I have with me Durant's receipts for ais
utrents which he paid in Carolina. I
presume that to show these will be suf-
ficient"
Are you tenant of Durant's?" asked
Lord Berkeley. ignoring my statement.
NO, your lordship.''
why did Durant send you in his
stead?"
He was very busy about his affairs
and thought that the matter would be at
an end when should show his receipts
for his cuitrentS.'
Spencer, are you Quaker?" asked
Lord Berkeley.
No, please your lordship.
"A-Well, it does not matter. You are
the emissary of a dissenter, and whatever
you may be you are in bad company
These who pipe for the Devil must
dance for the Devil. Seat yourself and
tell me of affairs in your colony. There
are many of my acquaintances within
your borders. The father of the man you
represent took Frenchmans leave of me
once and as the trappers say of escaped
quarry, l have seen neither hair nor
hide OF him since. l should be glad to
have news of his son. Are there many
dissenters in Carolina?''
"A few, your lordship"
| do you like them. Spencer?"
My Lord. the King allows non-con-
formity in Carolina and it is not for me
to forbid what the King sanctions. Many
| OF these men are good fellows, often
| drinking freely nor stopping at a little
hazard of chance"
AHA! I thought you had a sneaking
fondness for them. Do you know how
We serve dissenter In Virginia?"
Il have heard
eff he is mild we may whip him or
brand him; but if he is rabd we cut his
tongue out or cut off his ears. But I
cannot talk longer with you now for l
am off for hunt. ! will return and we
can finish your business, and he laughed
eyiily.
"Mv Lord ~ Soid Micfrncc Marian 49,