Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1905-08-10

anu HlSu trees, SlOOu TIE pIlSOA WhCLc
Margaret Maryland was confined.
1t was primitive affair built rough
ly of logs, the interior comprising q
row Of dark cells, long narrow pas
sageway aad a room for the keeper;
also large assembly hall where the
village tribunal or council held its ses-
sions. Here 1t was that they heard
llsputants, punished offenders and
otherwise sat In judgment So quiet
were the nhabitants of this obscure
mountain village, so regular in their
manner Of living, peaceable and law
abiding that the Jail for lack OF serv-
ing any use of great Importance had
long since fallen into state Of neg
lect The heavy wooden shutters hung
loosely on broken hinges; the aper-
lures that emitted air and light into
the building were covered with q rusty,
iron grating, and the plain, wooden
furniture was dilapidated to an ex-
traordinary degree. In fact, the only
part of the old prison that gave evil.
dence of strength or resistance was the
huge front door of rough oak beams
riveted together with iron bands that
reached from floor to roof,
Before this door on the afternoon
Of the day following Margarets ar
rest the old jailor, Matthew Allen,
sat on three legged stool sleepily
watching the suns gradual descent
toward the horizon line. His good dog
slept quietly at his side, and inside the
prison the silence was intense.
Sounds Of horses hoofs pounding the
roadway fell on the dull ears of the
jaIler, who raised his head expectantly,
for watching alone before the jail In
On isolated part of the village was
monotonous existence even for pious
old man whose thoughts were wont to
be nearer heaven than earth, and so
the hope OF a chance visitor with whom
TO discuss the exciting events Of the
previous day caused an expression OF
unusual intentnsss to spread over Mat
thews countenance as he looked to-
ward the turn. Apparently the sight
of the old man was failing, for the
rider had appeared before bis vision
and approached quite a few yards In
his direction before he recognized the
tall, gray clad form Of Josiah Taunston.
With noisy clatter the horse and rider
advanced, the latter pulling rein in
cloud OF dust before the huge door 90
the jail.
II give thee good day, Matthew" he
said. ''How doth fare thy prisoner, the
DEVILS young accompllce2 Is she still
with theeT'
"Yea, MASTER" the man responded
seriously "She is here"
"Thy news Is good" Josiah observed.
'Methought, perchance, to hear that she
had disappeared. Gone up 4 the air on
q stroak o. lightning OF In cloud Of
smoke, 10 join the revels OF her evil
companions"
At this sally ho laughed loud laugh
OF cruel enjoyment. The jailer looked
about him fearfully, calling under his
breath for the intercessiqn of the
saints.
"How doth thy prisoner conduct her
self, Matthew Allenr Taunston In
qulred, with curious gloating Doth she
rave an curse, tear down her hair an
call on that white llvered coxcomb,
that quondam lover OF hers, TO come to
aave herr"
"My son, her behavior Is unusual"
he answered, shaking his head from
sldo TO side In way that implied his
Inability to understand. ''The maid
doth sit on the stool quietly, with head
bowed an hands pressed together o'er
her heart, or else doth kncel on the floor
and rest her head on the side Of her
hard pallet"
ghe ja,ieC sighed.
"'Twere q sin. good sir, TO feel
sympathy for such?" he asked In q
trembling voice, uncertainty.
Josiah, who had been leaning over to-
ward the old man Familiarity. now sat
erect with sudden motion,
GMatthew Allen" he cried sternly,
"keep In mind always that thou doth
come under the spell of this woman.
under the snare OF her devilish wiles.
Her tricks are many, / tell thee. an
deep II her art She doth but play u
part 20 lure thee on! Hast already had
q feeling Of pity for her7 Then beware,
Matthew! Keep distant from the charm
OF her spell, and pray-pray constantly
for speedy dellverance from the sore
nfIilctlon that hath been visited upon
this village"
The Jailer palod yisibiy, and his jaw
dropped as with eyes wide open In ter
ror he looked into the dark and men
acing countcnance OF his visitor who
now pompously drew n paper from his
belt and with stern majesty proceeded
to address the old man.
Matthew Allen, keeper OF Cragen-
stone jail. | have here an order from
tho chief councillor, herewith signed
and sealed, commanding thee TO bring
the prisoner in thy charge--ono Mar
garot Maryland, accused OF wItchcraft
'-beforo said councillor and council In
the prison hall, where they will be as
scmbled on the morrow Mt tho hour
Of noon"
The jailsr took the paper with trem-
bling hands, stamnering his surprise
that NO much haste had been deemed
expedisnt
Matthew, is composed OF wise men,"
he observed, "mon who foresee danger
and anticipate obstacles that might
rise In their paths. Thy prisoner, jail
Or, hath lover abroad known 20 have
vast influence at court Az all the
roads and passes are guarded by good
Puritans heavily armed, his only way
or escape was by the Stcrndorf forest,
whero he must either die OF starvation
or become prey 10 the hunger OF the
wolves"
lie snapped his fingers indifferently,
aB if he did not caro- which. 80 our
good councilmen. knowing the value
OF precaution and having fair knowl-
edge that ofttimes evil doth triumph
over good, deemed II erpedient 10 set
tho trial at the earliest hour, an 1
warrant thee, Matthew, that II the
prisoner Is found guilty and condemn
cd to die her execution will follow
speedily"
Doth fear rescue, masterF the
Jailer asked, alarm written on his
countenance.
"'Tis hard telling what intention
was IN the mans mind when he left"
Taunston replied sobcrly. AN we
were careless enough 10 let the prls-
oner lie here a month or so mayhap
the popiniay. safely surrounded by