Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1905-11-17

manu-, ne Sdid. not udJS huhc Wy
throats."
"Thank thee, Adam"
Taking the mug, Josiah filed 1t and
raised it to his lips, draining the last
drop.
81 had a tankard of ale at the tavern,
but that papist Of Frenchman, who
doth intrude himself here a-dangling
after my cousin, Margaret Maryland,
with an eye, I 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 or
gaudy flnery that was Almost vomit-
ed with disgust, and man, l could
scarce get breath until ! had put
distance between u.s."
The goldsmith, evidently busy, mad
resumed his seat on his bench and
wa 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
lounging position in the doorway, ne
prepared to go on with a recital OF
his wrongs when suddenly he made
sharp exclamation, his glance having
fallen ON finely wrought chain OF gold
from which was suspended a small
cross that was being forged together
by tie skillful hands of the goldsmith.
Adam raised his eyes to his visitors
face in surprise Hath pain, Josiah"
"Nay," he answered sternly, "but
anguish for thee, Adam, that thou In
thine ignorance hath been induced to
handle 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, tits 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 !
received the day 1t came, / had ne'er
chance before to mend it."
"Ha, har TaunstOn laughed dis
cordantly. "P truth, tits no wonder
thou hast sprains,' he said, with deep
significance, "when thou doth keep
such devils implements about thee.
fhou'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-
sciously he laid the chain down.
"What meanst thou?"
Josiah shook his 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 idoiatrous emblem,
urging her that it would do her harm,
but she. ever DER headstrong, would
not heed me, which fact l much de-
plore. My mother, 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 great loss to
Woodworking, saving man"
He sighed drearily.
"An, Adam, l repeat it, woe to us
all the day that accurst cross was
brought to this village!' ca
The goldsmith, possessing even more
than the customary large amount of su-
perstitiop held by his neighbors, 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 We, we would not ha' given
blame to our cousins headstrong per-
sistency so readily had I not held con-
verse with 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-Tll send the
wicked gewgaw home by Christopher"
he said, IAN 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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