Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1905-06-22

of linen thrown open at the neck and
his broad brimmed hat pulled down
over his eyes, came through the woods
with quick strides, his feet crunchlng
down the dry twigs with cracking
sound as 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 q
tree near by. With an imprecation Jo-
siah kicked the MANNED bird out of his
path, killing it, and strode on without
even a 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
perspiration 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, hastened toward him with
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 filed it and
raised it to his lips, draining the last
drop.
Il had tankard of ale at the tavern,
but that papist of a 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 fnery that l was Almost vomit-
ed with disgust, and man, l could
scarce get breath until l had put a
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 90 ON with n recital of
his wrongs when suddenly he made a
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 visitor S
face in surprise. Hath pain, Josiahg''
"Nay," he answered sternly, "but
anguish for thee, Adam, that thou in
| thine ignorance hath been induced to
handle a 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, tbs the property of
| thy beauteous cousin, Mistress May
| land" he answered, "who left it with
me more than a fortnight since; but,
mine arm being stiff with sprain l
| received the day it came, 1 had ne'er
! a chance before to mend it."
'Ha, ha!' Taunston laughed dis
cordantly ~ truth, tits no wonder
| thou hast sprains,'' he 50. -i'-' deep
significance, "when thou doth keep
such devils implements about thee.
Thou'lt have worse than sprains an thou
| takest not more care, good neighbor." /"
At the ominous words and manner
of his visitor the goldsmith's face
paled, and his jaw dropped as he
stared at him, aghast Almost uncon-
tciously he laid the chain down.
| "What meanst thou?"
| Josiah shook his head sadly and LET
,lis long face grow longer as he said:
loft and many a time have reasoned
With Margaret Maryland against the
| wearing of that idolatrous emblem,
lrging her that 1t would do her harm,
| ,ut she. ever DER headstrong, would
| not heed me, which fact l much de-
plore. My mother, n woman widely
| known for her wisdom, asserteth that
| from the day our cousin brought that
cross among us we have been sorely
beset with misfortunes. First the
| drought. We have ne'er had rain since
the big storm. How can planted seed
grow? And then the disease among
| the sheep Our lambs most all ha' died
All, lackaday, It's Il great loss to a
hardworking, saving man"
he sighed drearily.
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 neighb0rs, glanced
| fearfully about him. moving farther
| along the bench from the cross and
| chain, and Josiah, seeing the impress
sion he was making, continued with
solemn emphasis:
"But, mind ye, we would not ha' given
blame to our cousins headstrong per
sstency so readily had not held con-
verse with n French peddler, dealer
In magic charms, who told me on his
oath that crosses of gold were known
among men o. his trade to be pos
sessed of devils and to bring harm to
all who touched them"
SO great 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 trembled
with apprehension.
lord, ha' mercy! Tll-Pll send the
wicked gewgaw home by Christopher, +"
he said, can he comes in from the
wedding"
After an interchange OF few more
words Josiah proceeded on his way,
and old Adam was left alone in his
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