The White Pine news. [volume] (Ely, Nev.) 1906-1910, 1907-04-18
CHAPTER /.
swaffham and De Wick.


the most picturesque dwellings in
Cambridgeshire 1t was so old that 1t
had sort of personality. 1t was the
history of the Swaffham family in
stone and timber.
The central tower-built of the
white stone of the Observation-Disclosures
the fortress which Tonbert Swaffham
erected A. d. so, to defend his lands
from an invasion of the Danes; and
five generations of Tonbert's descen-
dants dwelt in that tower, before Will
liam of Normandy tool! possession of
the crown of England. The Swaffham
Of that date became friend of the
C'Hdueror; and the Manor House had
tie singular fortune to be Identified
with the stirring events of every
dynasty.
In the middle of the seventeenth
century it still retained this character.
Puritan councils OF offense and de-
Tense had been held in it's great hall.
and parliamentary soldiers drilled i'll
its meadows. For Capt Israel Swaff-
ham was the friend of Gen. Cromwell.
and at the time this story opens was
with Cromwell in Scotland
A great fighter he had no parlia-
mentary talent, and no respect for
parliaments He believed Englands
religious and civil liberties were to be
saved by the sword, and when tho
Kings fastand-loose proposals had
been discussed by the men of Cam
bridgeshire, in SwafIham, he had
closed the argument with tins passion
ate declaration:
There is 10 longer disputng with
such double mind as the mind OF
Charles StGatt The very oath of God
would not bind him. out. instantly.
all of you VITO ean!'
His three sons reese at his words and
the rest # the council followed, for
all felt Cat the work was but half
done-thefe was to be a Second Civil
War. Then home was again deserted
for the battlefield, and Capt. Swan
hams wife ard daughter were once
more left alone in the old Manor
House
Mrs. SWaIfham was the child of
Puritan minister. and she had strong
principles but there We're hours when
she had pitied the late klng. excused
his inexcusable treacheries, and re-
GREETED the pomps anu ceremonies of
royal state.
Jane Swaffham was of a different
spirit. She had soul of the highest
mettle; and she had listened to those
English mystics. who came out of the
steel ranks or triumphant Puritanism.
until she had caught their spirit and
been filed through and through with
their faith.
This was the maiden who was sit
ting, one sunny afternoon. at the open
window of the household parlor In
Swaifham She was thinning of her
father and brothers. of the unhappy
condition Of England and of the un.
rest in their own household. For she
knew that her mother was worried
about many things, and the fret that
was bred in the kitchen and the farm
ofices-in spite OF all her efforts
insinuated itself into the still order
of the handsome room in which she
was sitting.
AZ lulS llloIlcHL lHGTe WIS llt
sound of wheels and the tramp of
horses, and Jane said, 1T is Matilda
de Wick. | know the roll OF the car
rage" Then Jane lifted her sewing,
and the wheel began 10 hum, and the
door opened swiftly and Matilda de
Wick entered.
81 have just been at Ely" she said,
nd
longer in this sinful worll !. | shS not
forget the visit | hay on visiting
Lady Heneage, and | h e heard so
much of the Cromwell's full cup that,
in faith, | think ii has gone to my
head"
81 trust Lady Heneage is we'll"
said Mrs. SWaffham.
''She had need to be well. Her
house is as full as the ark Mrs.
Elizabeth Hampden is there. and
daughter Flambord, and daughter
Clayton, and all their children and
retainers. 1t is their t gathering
before they go away, Do you wish
to know whore they are going? To
London, of Course.
And they are going t. London? Is
it really so?" asked Jane.
'Tis not very civil to doubt it. But
that is not all of my news-I heard
also that Jane Swafhar2 was going
to Iondon-a taing would not be-
liesc without James assurance
"lt t. very IT, rtaln,' replied Mrs.
6w-i4ta an. jale Gaa M Invitation
1rc.d .@f} .GlnWell ala il Doctor