Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-07-26


atmosphere. Laborers going to their
work mopped their brows and looked
anxiously ut the clear deep blue arch
of the heavens for a glimpse of n cloud
that might perchance grow larger as
the day advanced and spread itself be-
fore the burning sun, but above the
horizon not speck of white could the
eye discover.
Josiah Taunston, his homespun shirt
OF linen thrown open ut the neck and
his broad brinlmed hat pulled down
over his eyes, came through the woods
with quick strides, his feet crunching
down the dry twigs with cracking
sound rs he walked A young robin,
having injured its wing in falling out
of the nest, fluttered and chirped in his
path, and the mother bird, frantic, call
ed sharp, shrill instructions from
tree near by. With an imprecation Jo-
slab kicked the MANNED bird out of his
path, killing 1t, and strobe on without
even backward look. Nor did he ap.
pear to see the mother bird, who in
her pain and anguish swooped up and
down wildly In all directions, or to hear
her shrieks of agonizing sorrow
Matters of Importance having taken
up his time, it was late In the day, al
most at the hour of noon, when Taun-
ston, homeward bound, reached the
spring brook that ran by the door of
old Adam Browdie, the goldsmith. Re
moving his hat and wiping the beads of
Precipitation from his heated face, he
knelt upon the bank and, making re-
ceptacle of the hollow of his hand, pro-
ceeded to quench his thirst. The gold
smith, having observed him from the
window, FASTENED toward him with n
pewter mug.
Good morrow, Master Taunston.
Happen thou'lt not get enough in thy
hand," he said. Hot days make dry
throats."
THANK thee, ADAM"
Taking the mug, Josiah filled it and
raised 1T to his lips, draining the last
drop.
II had tankard of ale at the tavern,
but that papist Of n Frenchman, who
doth intrude himself here a-dangling
after my cousin, Margaret Maryland
with an eye l trow, to the possession
of her estate, lounged about the rooms
with such an air Of insolent effrontery,
walked past me once or twice so close
he fairly trod upon my toes, acting,
forsooth, as If he desired me to take
open offense at his bad manners.
clanked his sword and appeared so
anxious for all to admire his suit of
gaudy finery that l was almost vomit-
ed with disgust, and man, l could
boI
distance between u.s."
The goldsmith, evidently busy, had
resumed his seat on his bench and
was followed closely by Taunston, who
now on the subject Of his favorite
grievance was not inclined to go on
his way until he had unbosomed him
self to his neighbor; so, taking a
lounging position in the doorway, he
prepared to go on with recital of
his wrongs when suddenly he made q
sharp exclamation, his glance having
fallen on finely wrought Chain of gold
from which was suspended small
cross that was being forged together
by the skillful hands of the goldsmith
Adam raised his eyes to his visitors
face in surprise "Hath pain, Joslah?"
anguish for thee, Adam, that thou in
thine ignorance hath been induced to
handle Il charm Of evil magic such as
thou holdst in thy hands"
"This necklet evil?'
The goldsmith, having completed his
task, held up the chain in bewilder-
ment.
''This? Why, it's the property of
thy beauteous cousin, Mistress May
land" he answered, who left it with
me more than n fortnight since; but,
mine arm being stiff with sprain l
received the day it came, l had ne'er
chance before to mend it,
"Ha, hal" Taunston laughed dis
cordantly. 81 truth. tits no wonder
thou hast sprains," he said, with deep
Significance, when thou doth keep
such devils implements about thee.
Thou'lt have worse than sprains an thou
takest not more care, good ncighbor"
AT the Ominous words and manner
of his visitor the goldsmith's face
paled. and his jaw dropped as he
stared ut him. aghast. Almost uncon-
sciously he laid the Chain down.
what meanst tliou!"
Josiah shook Iii; head sadly and let
his long face grow longer as he said:
loft and many time have / reasoned
with Margaret Maryland against the
wearing Of that idolatrous emblem,
urging her that 1t would do her harm,
but she, ever DER headstrong, would
not heed me, which fact much de-
plorc. My mother, Il woman widely
known for her wisdom, asserteth that
from the day our cousin brought that
cross among us we have been sorely
bcset with misfortunes. First the
drought. We have neer had rain since
the big storm. How can planted seed
grow: And then the disease among
the sheep. Our lambs most al! ha' died.
All. lackaday, lis IL great loss to
Woodworking, saving man!'
He sighed drcarily.
AN, Adam. l repeat it, woe to us
all the day that accurst cross was
brought to this village!
The goldsmith. possessing even more
than the customary large amount of su-
perstition held by his neighbors, glanced
fearfully about him, moving farther
aioHS tue DeHcH lfoln lhe cross ana
chain. and Josiah seeing the impress
Sion he was making, continued with
solemn emphasis:
But, mind We, we would not ha' given
blame to our cousins headstrong per-
sistency so readily had | not held con
verse with French peddlcr, n dealer
In magic charms. who told me OH his
onth that crosses Of gold were known
among men o his trade 10 be pos
sessed of devils and to bring harm to
all who touched them"
So gree was the superstition OF that |
period. so firm the belief in charms,
black art and magic. that the gold
smith, almost overcome by the knowl-
edge Of his danger, fairly trembed +
with apprehension.
Lord ha' marcvi pll-J'II rond +ho |