Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-05-18

liz mitchcraft was universal and peo-
III. mud strong superstitions, an event
- 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 If ohnd
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 expiatlon
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-
Ing out Of the way and to 90 extra
baking in anticipation of visitors, for
it was known that many Puritans from
other settlements would ride to Cragen-
stone that day.
Old Elsteth, who had been allowed
to see Margaret just onc-. waen she
took her a change Of clothing. spent her
time weeping, wringlng 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 IAN much can be done with
gold. Cheer thee, good mother, and
keep in readiness, for who knows but
the master III 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. TINT never come"
The host OF the inn of the Sign Of the
Red Heart at this time was the buslest
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 fal
&, tie trial and We're resolved to re
l..ain over to witness the last agonies
of Tie condemned woman filled hi!
| use to overlooking, some of then
u wing four times the value in gold fol
tie privilege Of sleeping on straw II
the barn, and strangers We're coming
aud going constantly.
One man, tall, with extremely dark
swarthy skin, wearing broad Tapping
hat of black felt, long cloak of rougl
homespun that reached down to tn
tops of his hobnailed shoes, with
high collar turned up about his benrde
chin, and who walked as if one kne
were stiff, leaning heavily on shol
cudgel, attracted unusual attention W
on his arrival by the bitter animosit
be entertained toward the. crime {
witchcraft. For an hour after he a
rived he sat slipping his ale. listenin
to the conversation of those about hin
with low angry mutterings. nodding b
head in strong approval and saying u
der his breath occasionally in grul
hoarse whispers: Down with witche
say I. Burn EN-! Burn EN-! They a
accurst Of Cod"
Later, as the nnkeeper was standir
at the doorway Of the barn giving lor
orders to the horse boys who We're a
ranging the straw beds for the nigt
Josiah Taunston approached and. a
dressing the man with the air of o.
who had important information, sal
.'Dost know. good host, whom tn
hath at thy board?"
"N1ean thou the tall man with be
head an lame leg? Who is he, master
the man asked curiously.
"'Tis a certain Ezekial Mason. W
hath come to us from loyal Puritans
Honeyoke, ten miles below Sterndo
having the proper password and be
ing letters of introduction from TIL
to us. The man, it seemeth, hath
vented famous lock that none but
can understand. Once on door 'tv
battle all human skill to get the thi
asunder he hath shown it to
council, who did SO approve Of it Il
they did purchase it at once for {
Jail door, putting the newcomer
charge Of the Jail over Matthew All
who for such events Of Importance
are happening at present, prithee,
too old"
AS the innkeeper's face expressed
terest, Josiah continued with his n
rative:
'The letters state that this Eel
Mason is proficient in the art Of Blu
Ing scaffolds for hanging an hath S
In planting stake and arranging
fagots around it to secure gu
burning They also make mention
the fact that in the several e1ecuti
yonder below on the south side
mountain, from whence he comes,
were under his direction, and as:
that each affair was conducted with
der an dispatch"