Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1906-01-12

ana sealed, commanding 1nee TO prmg
the prisoner in thy charge-one Mar
garet Maryland, accused of witchcraft
before said councillor and council in
the prison hall. where they will be as
sembled on the morrow ut the hour
of noon"
The jailer took the paper with trem-
bling hands. stammcring his surprise
that so much haste had been deemed
eXpedient.
''The council. as thou dost know
Matthew, is composed Of wise men,"
he observed, "men who fore5ee danger
and anticipate obstacles that might
rise in their paths. Thy prisoner. Jail
er, hath lover abroad known TO have
vast influence at court. AS all the
roads and passes are guarded by good
Puritans heavily armed. his only way
of escape was by the Sterndorf forest,
where he must either die of starvation
or become a prey to the hunger of the
wolves"
He snapped his fingers indifferently,
az if he did not care which. $50 our
good counci!men, knowing the value
of precNution and having fair knowl-
edge that ofttimes evil doth triumph
over good, deemed it eXpedient to set
the trial AT the earliest hour, an 1
warrant thee, Matthew, that if the
prisoner is found guilty and condemn
ed to die her execution will follow
speedily"
Doth fear rescue, maSterT the
jailer asked, alarm written on his
cOuntenance.
Ills hard telling what intention
was in the mans mind when he left"
Taunston replied soberly. "An we
were careless enough to let the priS
Oner lie here month or so mayhap
the popinjay, safely surrounded by
armed followers, would ride back TO
break down the door and bear the
witch away. But" as he saw the
pallor deepen on the old keepers face,
rest easy, Matthew, an have faith
in the council"
Having finished his discourse, he
turned his horse about.
lone moment stay thee" the jailer
cried eagerly. laying OBTAINING hand
on the horses name. "An' should this |
knight find means Of escape through |
A. - all. 10 hi
lady, this old prison would offer but |
poor resistance"
with so much dispatch will the
council seal the Woman's fate" Josiah
answered sternly. that unless La Fa-
bienne hath eagles wings wherewith |
to speed him on his travels he will ar
rive too late. Fare thee well, Mat
thew"
He started to ride away, then, pulling
rein, suddenly brought his animal to
Standstill.
Il Almost forgot to tell thee" he call
ed over his shoulder, that the council
hath under advisement the matter of
sending some other to remain with thee
until the day that thy prisoner hath
been freed or her doom sealed. God be
with thee, Matthew"
Putting spurs to his horse, he rode
away, and the keeper, calling his dog,
turned the great key in the lock and
entered the Jail.
The next morning, despite the fact
hat heavy mist hung over the noun
ain and driyaling rain was falling,
he quiet village of Cragenstone pre-
,ented a scene of unusual activity.
From the various houses people were
ssuing on their way to the council hall,
md at the Sign Of the Red Heart stern |
aced Puritans from far distances were
Lrrving constantly, for the story Of
.largarets arrest had been passed
rom mouth to mouth over the noun
ain, and in those credulous, supersti- |
iOus times such a sensational event
IS the trial Of witch was the signal
or q general holiday Shepherds left ,
heir flOcks, housewives their spinning
wheels, the husbandman laid down his .
low, and. DOMINIC their best attire,
hey walked or rode to the scene of in
crest So all the morning along the
Oadways and before the various shops q
4 the village groups of newcomers adj
anced or stood listening with mouths :
cape to the startling and fearful tales
I'D them by the townspeOple of ''the q
ccurst wOmans dOings" and the suf
ering she had caused those that had :
ONE under her evil spell. Il
Precisely at the hour Of noon, as the
lsty iron bell at the prison changed
ut the tidings that the time of Marga- :
It's trial had arrived, the chief coun-
lOr and council, accompanied by two :"
ldges from Sterndorf renowned on the ! -
for their knowledge Of the
W, made their way through the great :,
,ncourse Of people gathered before the y
i'll. Trembling with excitement, old y
atthew threw open the door, and p
ey entered, walking slowly to the
'uncil chamber, followed at respect :,
Il distance by the assembled people, ~
no took seats quietly on the rough -
OGDEN benches prepared for them. y.
When all were seated and the clang- -
G Of the bell had ceased, the chief
uncilor rose and called loudly the
lme of Matthew Allen.
the jailer appeared at
e door.
Matthew Allen" he said in solemn
mes, Il call on thee in the name of the OF
NO TO DrOlucp the woman IN INV | hi