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

IS his name was spoken thus loud
"a ly and suddenly Taunston turn
"a ed deathly white, and great
beads Of perspiration stood out
on his forehead. He attempted to rise,
but, feeling his legs unsteady under
him, resumed his seat then, control
ling himself by strong effort, again
rose and walked with his accustomed
air OF calm seriousness TO the bench
set apart for the witnesses. The chief
councillor addressed him solemnly:
Josiah Taunston. doth thou promise,
knowing that just and revengeful
God heareth all thou wilt say, to speak
TRUTH"
81 do so solemnly promise"
Then young attorney. who had been
appointed by the council to question
witnesses, stepped forward, taking
place just before Margaret, who IL she
needed what was going on gave no
evidence OF II, but sat motlonless. with
lowered head and eyes downcast.
Josiah Taunston," he commenced
rapidly. addressing the witness, "as
the accused hath secured no person to
defend her or to parley questions with
witnesses 1t will be proper for thee to
give thy evidence directly and with as
much speed as possible. Witness, what
occurrence between thee and the pris-
oncr first caused thee to think she was
In connlvance with the devllr
After mopping his brow with his
handkerchief and wetting his pale lips
with his tongue Josiah spoke:
"'Twas on II day soon after Marga-
ret Mayland's return to her estate that
/ went one morning TO fetch my sister,
who had been detained by the storm a
few days at the house. AS l approach
cd from the roadway mine astonished
gaze fell upon my sister, usually a
maiden OF great decorum, running like
o wild thing along the top OF the pas
ture wall. whilst the prisoner, with her
hair unbound an streaming 4 the wind,
swung from tree to tree, laughing an
chatterlng glecfully as one bewitched.
My sharp cry OF rcbuke brought them
TO their senses, and. greatly abashed
and crestfallen, they advanced quietly
TO meet me. Hoping for some good In
fuepce with my cousin. entered the
house and stopped n short time to re-
monstrats with her for her unhecoming
behavior.
II also took occasion. ns | felt II my
duty. TO rehuke her for wearing for
ornament II papist cross that always,
no matter how frequent the changes In
hor dress, hung about her neck on
gold chain. | urged upon her the fact
that such n decoration was distasteful
TO all good Purltans and warned her
that IL she persisted In her headstrong
foollshness she would bring upon her
self much suspicion an dlstrust. Sud
denly, as uttered the words. the chain
parted an fell 10 the floor. where, In
my righteous anger, ! grasped II and
but for the woman's he0rtrending
shrieks an shrill screams OF agony.
fhat / confess disarmcd me, | would
have thrown IL into the firc1
Hero his narrative was interrupted
by loud murmurs Of approval from the
audience.
FOR the nonce, under her spell. l
returned the emblem 10 her with UNI
willingness, an thereupon, greatly dis
couraged and dlsheartcned In mine
cndeavors 10 lead tho woman into bot
ter ways, / left the house"
lie paused u moment for greater Of.
feet; then, throwing up his head sud
denly, said. with slow emphasis. eat
tbsA hat
that held that cross, being innocent of
harm and having no thought OF evil.
fed my sheep, and before sundown
many OF tho animals were lying sick
OF an unknown dlseasew
Doth mako u charge. witnegsY
asked the attorney.
II charge that tho woman In nc
cursti that tho cross she weareth even
now 80 brazenly ON her bosom is "a
witch mark that containeth magic 10
wreak harm 10 living creatures" he
answered harshly.
All glanccs were fixed ON Margaret,
who neither moved nor spoke.
Continue. witness. IN thou hast
more 10 say" tho chief councillor here
interposed.
Josiah again moistened his lips and,
with II nervous motion. adjusted tho
plain starchcd run nt his throat.
zone evening somewhat later L the
month nj the time OF the setting OF the
sun / was walking through the forest
on my way 90 my home from the VII
lage when | encountered this woman
most boldly dressed In n gay eolorcd
frock cut In an unHeemly fashion 10
expose her arms an' neck. made thus.
wot, 10 lure men 10 their destruction.
and. pauslng before her, with only
thoqghts Tor her good 10 my heart, !