Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1905-07-13

mainStay of his old age cruelty taken
from him, and all because we have too
long dallied with the evil influences
that have of late been so strongly
brought to bear upon US. Look on this
man, say. Dost want the same to
happen TO We all? Matthew Clines''-
he singled out one man with his finger
how knowest thou that thy turn
may not come next? Wilt wait, refus-
ing TO believe until thou seest thy maid
Dorothy riding away in a cloud of
smoke on witchs broomstickT'
NAY, nay" groaned the man sullen-
ly.
Il call on We not to be deceived by
fair face, rich dress and a kindly
manner! Such deep arts are ever en-
plOyed by our worst enemy, Satan, when
lie hath his blackest crimes In medita-
ton. Thou. knowest, men, to whom /
make Inference? 'Tis the woman Mar
garet Maryland that I do publicly ac-
cuse!'
He paused for a moment to empha
size his words, then continued with
great seriousness, shaking his head In
all hope. with prayer and protesta
tions my good mother and have urged
this woman to change her ways, to de-
stroy the evil cross that is but a witch
mark invented by the devil for his pur
poses, one touch of which will bring
man to fell disaster. Men and broth
ers," he cried, 'she would not hear u.s.
She coldly turned us from her door
and then in her wickedness set our
sheep a-dying; but, being our kins-
woman. we bore all patiently and said
naught Now. my judgment tells me
that too much harm hath been done al
ready. Here before We all l repudiate
this woman. l renounce kinship to
her!"
The crowd, now having assumed
much larger proportions, took up the
cry of hate and bitterness.
Good man! Good man Josiah! He
doth renounce his cousinr' one cried.
"Down, down with the woman who
weareth Satan's crossr said another.
1--WE ha' borne too much a'ready!'
Hanging is the only way to put an
end on it." cried old Adam tearfully,
wiping his eyes.
"Witchcraft is the very blackest
crime against God, the saints and the
peoplew proclaimed Josiah Tadnston
dramatically "Such wickedness can
not be choked out Burning-burning
ut tlse stake-is the punishment our
| clergy and elders have ever meted out
as OF sufficient suffering to expiate
| this hideous crime"
Then, seeing his listeners were
| reused to an unusual height of fury, he
| cried in louder voice: my men, to
the town house! Call the council for a
meeting, We must act ere our own
| souls, caught in the talons Of the dev-
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. incapable TO In
woke Gods Vengeance"
Turning his horses head, he led the
way, followed by an excited throng OF
angry men.
In the meantime Mistress Taunston,
whose reputation for piety and her
well known willingness to offer spirit
ual consolation to the afflicted brought
her to many bedsides OF both sick and
dying, had been at the cabin OF the
Widow Dawson, and as the sun was
slowly sinking down below the hill
tops. she came through the forest on
her way home. Hearing the sounds Of
approaching footsteps, she raised her
head and saw approaching Margaret's
woman Elsbeth, who when she had ad-
vanced few steps paused and, glanc-
| Ing about in all directions, called In
shrlll tones the little dog Blddy, that
had evidently strayed away. II she
saw Margaret's aunt coming toward
| her Elsbeth gave no sign of 1t. With
| out ever having had an interchange Of
hard words there was deep feeling Of
hatred lying in the hearts Of these two
women for each other, and, although on
occasions they had met with civil
| greetings, an underlying spirit of en-
nifty between them was apparent and
had grown lately into such proportions
that at their last meeting the women
had passed without recognition.
SO today, with her head held high and
u forbidding' expression on her grim
countenance, Mistress Taunston ap-
preached. The path at that point was
rocky and narrow, SO that in order to
gerously. near the edge to let the other
pass. Elsbeth, walking slowly, contin-
ued to look as II she saw no person In
her way and called the lost dogs name
with great show of anxiety. Bristiing
with defiance and wearing her most
scornful bearing, the Puritan woman.
came on until, reaching Elsbeth,, who.
still refused to see her, she paused and,
| drawing her scant skirt OF gray home
spun very close about her, with an ap-
pearance Of making a great effort not
| to let her clothing touch the others. en-
| deavored to pass.
Turning suddenly. Elsbeth confronted
her 80 unexpectedly that the stern faced
dame lost her balance and would have
fallen had she not clutched' the trunk of
a tree for support. All the hatred in
Elsbeth's heart for her companion
blazed forth in her eyes as she looked
at her.
Fear not for thy clothing" she cried
angrily, "or that contact with me shall
harm thee Lid! Fen l were pitch
an thou vert covered with me, 1t
would not show on thee, thou art so
black In wiles and wickedness"
Beware, woman, how thou talkest to
thy bettersr' falrly shrieked the other
In outraged tones.
l. 'Forsooth, I'll ha' my say, now / have
thee cornered" d"-Elsbeth's black eyes
snapped dangerously-"an' for once
thou'lt hear the truth. Fool that thou
art TO think our Margaret hath no pro-
tectorsr' she exclaimed derisively
"Dost think, dullard, that Sir Godfrey
La Fablennc suspects not thy sons
vile schemes to get his cousins estate,
his deep laid plots to sforceAher from
the village. as n polluted thing. 80 that
he-her next OF kin-may ride In and
take possession"
'Tis falser shrieked Mistress Taun-
ston In Wild anger Make way,
woman, or 1t Will be worse for theev'
Elsbeth did not move.
"Methinks. ,twcre well to warn thee"
she continued; else in thy greed and
ignorance thou'lt go too far. Sir God
frey La Fabicnne IL a@nobleman OF
much wealth, hath influence at the
French and English courts, and with
both Puritans and papists his wishes
have great weight"