Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1905-08-17

pie had strong superstitions, an event
such as the arrest of Margaret May
land, followed by her trial and convic-
ton. gave food for much interesting
conversation. In the long twilight and
after the candles were lighted these
simple folk sat about their hearth
stones speaking the condemned wom-
ans name in whispers, and il blind
ratified or the wind rose they sat erect,
listening nervously, the more timid
covering down in their seats and COW
ering up their faces with their hands.
Every movement of the prisoner dur
Ing the trial, her words, also those Of
the councillor, were repeatedly discuss
ed, and they spoke of her suffering at
the stake, that was to be the expiation
of her sins, with grewsome exultation
in their voices and gestures. The men
killed lambs and fowl and the women
rose at an earlier hour to get the churn-
lag out of the way and to do extra
baking In anticipation of visitors, for
1t was known that many Puritans from
other settlements would ride to Cragen-
stone that day.
Old Elsbeth, who had been allowed
to see Margaret just once, when she
took her change of clothing, spent her
time weeping, wringing her hands and
praying to God to save her young mis-
tress from the horrible fate that await
ed her.
"Sir Godfrey had gold," CASTOR
would say to her comfortingly, al
though his own face was downcast and
troubled, san much can be done with
gold. Cheer thee, good mother, and
keep in readiness, for who knows but
the master II return at the head of
great army and carry us all away in
triumph from this accurst mountain"
"Ah, lackaday, mine ears are strain
ed wi listening for the sounds Of
horses hoofs," she responded disconso-
lately, ''that never come-oh, woe is
me, that never Gomez
| The host of the inn OF the Sign of the
| RED Heart at Inls time was the busiest
man in the village. Men eager to dis
cuss the sensational and tragic events
filed his drinking rooms, and greater
number of idlers than usual loitered in
the hallway or hung about the door
step. Newcomers who had ridden far
! to the trial and were resolved to re-
main over to witness the last agonies
of the condemned woman filled his
house to overfowing, some of them
paying four times the value in gold for
the privilege of sleeping on straw in
the barn, and strangers were coming
and going constantly.
One man, tall, with extremely dark,
swarthy skin, wearing broad Tapping
] hat of black felt, long cloak of rough
homcspun that reached down to the
tops Of his hobnailed shoes, with a
high collar turned up about his bearded
chin, and who walked as IL one knee
We're stiff, leaning heavily on short
cudgel, attracted unusual attention up
on his arrival by the bitter animosity
| he entertained toward the crime of
| witchcraft. For an hour after he ar
rived he sat slipping his ale, listening
to the conversation of those about him,
| with low angry mutterings, nodding his
head in strong approval and saying un-
der his breath occasionally in gruff,
hoarse whispers: Down with witches,
say |. Burn 'em. Burn 'em! They are
accurst of Godr'
Later, as the innkeeper was standing
at the doorway Of the barn giving loud
orders to the horse boys who were ar
ranging the straw beds for the night
Josiah Taunston approached and, ad
dressing the man with the air Of one
who had important information, said
''Dost know, good host, whom thor
hath at thy board?'
MEAN thou the tall man with BEN
head an lame leg? Who is he, masterT
the man asked curiously.
"'Tis a certain Ezekial Mason, wh'
hath come to us from loyal Puritans a
Honeyoke, ten miles below Sterndorf
having the proper password and bear
ing letters of introduction from then
to us. The man, it seemeth, hath in
vented famous lock that none but IN
can understand. Once on door twill
battle all human skill to get the thini
asunder He hath shown it to tn
council, who did so approve of it tina
they did purchase it at once for ou
Jail door, putting the newcomer IL
charge of the jail over Matthew Allen
who for such events of Importance a
are happening at present, prithee, i
too DID,"
As the innkeeper's face expressed in
terest, Josiah continued with his mar
ratlve:
1.-THE letters state that this Ezekia
Mason is proficient in the art of build
ing scaffolds for hanging an hath ski
in planting a stake and arranging DIR.
fagots around it to secure quicl
burning They also make mention o
the fact that in the several execution
yonder below on the south side tn
mountain, from whence he comes, al
were under his direction, and asser
that each affair was conducted with OF
der an dispatch"
by my faith, methought the stran
ger had a menacing look an a cruel, re
lentless manner" answered the inn
keeper, with a shrug. 'At the frs
when he appeared, dust covered an
mud stained, the village lads loiterini
i the hallway sprang away and ran ou
Of doors in fear of him. But happel
he'll serve the councilmen for their pun
, poses right suitably" he added.
Taunston strode toward him angrily
Call not this Ezekial Mason crue
man." he cried, ''or a fearsome one
but rather with low voice an reveren
/ ] manner assert that he is a holy man
chosen by the LORD to do his work.
give thee good day, john"
Taunston walked off with rapi'
strides, then halted abruptly.
Thou hadst best come an settle hi
reckoning, for l am here to take thi
good man to the prison"
The innkeeper, laying down larg
bundle of straw that he held in hi
arms, shouted an order to passing
horse boy, then hurriedly followed
Taunston into the house.