Amador ledger., 1905-04-07
A Skirfed
HiSbsOoyman
[Original.l

1du not our FAMILY lOSt that proud
position we occupied before our King
Charles 1. lost his head doubtless
should have been one of the maddest.
merriest maidens in the revelries in
the houses of the country gentry. MY
father was killed at Marston Moor
fighting for his sovereign, our estates
were confiscated, and the family was
doomed. At twenty I was without the
Wherewithal to buy my bread Then
one day a gentleman to whom my ia.
ther had lent EGO sought me out and
paid me the amount as his creditors
only living descendant.
My heart was full of rancor, espe.
cially toward the Roundheads, who
had taken our estates. was tall and
strong, with a heart devoid of fear.
Had 1 been man would have gone
for soldier, but my sex would soon
be unmasked, and 1 preferred some
scene of action wherein I could work
alone. 1 resolved to take to the road.
With the EGO paid me purchased
horse equipments and arms. 1 would
not don mans attire, preferring
short, close fitting habit, and instead
of a mask 1 wore a thick veil. wish
ed for my first victims those shave
pate Puritans who lived near my
former home and to whom we owed
our downfall.
So one night as the darkness was fall
ing l spurred along the road 1 had Of
ten trudged to school bent on plunder.
Fearing to falter in my work and put it
off till l should meet some defenseless
creature whose weakness would shame
me, 1 resolved to attack the first way
farer met. Hearing horses hoofs
on the road and seeing the dim out
line of his rider, 1 drew a pistol, and
when he came near enough to see me
it's muzzle stared him in the face. I
was so frightened that did not take
notice whether the man was one Of
ours or Roundhead. His raising his
hat gallantly as to a woman of quality
told me that he was Cavalier.
81 am pleased" he said, "to surren-
der to a highwayman of your sex,
though it Jars my pride to do so. Here
is my wallet with f10 in it. Take it
and get away with 1t as quickly as pos
sible. There be those coming who
might interfere with your keeping it."
NO." replied You are royalist
rob no royalist."
'Then take the purse for q loan"
This is too much. I purpose to rob
you, and you generously offer that with
which to meet my necessities"
My voice trembleq, and 1 felt that 1
would fain rest my head on his breast,
for there was something familiar In
his voice, and withal tone of kindli-
ness.
Take it." he said, with deep sad
ness in his manner. 'I would had
more with me-"
''To whom shall return it?"
''Sir George Hilditch.''
He had placed his purse in my hand,
and 1 would have tossed it back to
him but for the sound of horsemen
coming. Under my veil my cheek was
agone carried my books to school for
me, and of all the boys 1 had pined for
him for my sweetheart. In a twinkling
he had left me, and sat like an image
Of stone till the horsemen, coming near
er, warned me to be gone.
This was my first robbery. The next
was a fat old psalm singer who had
succeeded to our homestead and was
then living in it. 1 took nearly 1900
from him, and on this resolved to sub
sist without further depreciation till
my funds were all gone. Hearing that
Sir George Hilditch was to give
masked ball, determined to attend.
In the costume of a Spanish dancer I
entered the house by rear door and
not long after was treading measure
with Sir George himself. After the
dance he led me to a secluded corner,
where we sat and chatted. He seemed
to mistake me for another, who, from
what lie said, gathered had hoped to
be mistress Of his household. took
up with this and made love to him.
"No," be said, II shall never marry
When a boy 1 gave my heart to little
girl who has been my dream ever since.
Had not her family gone down in the
struggle that lost us our king might
have wooed her for my wife As it is, 1
have no temptation for marriage"
''Will you give me her nameT
II care not who knows her name. 1t
is Margery st. John"
Thrusting my hand In my pocket, I
drew forth wallet in which had
placed 91O and put it in his hand.
WHATS this2" he asked
made no answer, for 1 could not
My heart was wild with strange emo
tions. He opened the purse and took
out the money.
II have guessed Alright" he said. "T
knew you, Margery, the night you rob-
bed me, the moment heard the sound
of your voice, and tonight I knew you
as Soon as 1 caught sight of that figure,
fit for queen. Ny heart has bled for
you, Margery, and am resolved that
the differences the civil war has made
between US shall not separate me from
my love-"
I started up to leave, but he put bis
arm about me and held me till I had
promised to be his wife.
That was just before the restoration
Of King Charles, and before 1 became
I Lady HildtteA the fat Roupdhead who
occupied our homestead was forced to
leave IT, and our wedding was celebrat-
ed there. Being the only heir to the re-
stored estate, certain parts Of which
/ hnd ornafl1r innronand In 1-al11o I ..-ns