The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1911-04-11

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sssss seees sesssss
Now that bonny King Charlie has
returned to US. already We are begin
ming 10 forget the trials through which
we have passed since the parliamen
iary forces secured full control and
led their lawful sovereign to the block.
The confscatiou of our estates not
only turned us out of our homes, but
we found ourselves without the where
withal to live. was a girl of twenty
when a psalm singing colonel in the
Roundhead army who had done some
service to the rebel cause was put III
possession of our homestead. My ia.
Their had fallen in the kings defense
at Marston Moor and my brother at
Naseby.
And now since my mother had died
when | was little girl | was left to
bear this great load alone, and when
| walked out of the place where
and my ancestors for generations had
been born there was no other on earth
for me to walk into. Relatives | had,
but they were in no condition to re-
ceive me, having lost their all. as
had lost mine. My father had fore
seen that this trouble might befall us
and had placed a hundred pounds in
gold pieces under an eve of the roof
as a last resort when the blow should
fall. |, the last of my lineage, now
had this money in my purse, but what
to do with it | knew not. walked
on a road leading from my home.
weeping as | walked. though | admit
my tears were rather of rage than of
submission to an adverse fate. had
wished when a child that | had been
born a boy. for | preferred boys
sports to those of girls. and when the
war came on | wished to be man
! that | might fight for my sovereign.
! But | was still a woman, without
mans advantages.
/ would not stop till | had reached
/ o point where | would not be known.
/ for | could not bear that persons who
! had long been familiar with the glory
of our house should see me disposSeSs-
ed and an outcast. | put ten leagues
between me and my home: then. tired
and footsore, coming to an inn. |
stopped to rest | would have con
cealed the fact that | was lady. but
I ! could not The landlady. knowing
my estate took me up to room and
brought me little broth. of which !
partook but sparingly: then she in
sisted that should rest on couch.
''You are the Lady Madge Clover
leigh" she said Il have seen you of
ten pass our inn in your coach. and
once you stopped here with your ia
Their to sup Alas, that you should
come to this. Our gentry are ruined
| hear our young men, having naught
with which to keep body and soul to
gether. are taking to the road. Only
last night a young captain who has
fought with Prince Rupert left this
inn. and ten minutes later rich Round
head was robbed of his purse"
Burning with rancor as was, thi:
put an idea into my crazy brain. Nov
that these times are passed it fills m'
with wonder that could have though
of such means to make a living
| / resolved to take to the road myself
Telling the landlady that | would fail
| hide myself and my condition under
] disguise, | bought from her suit be
longing to one of her sons who hat
been killed in the war; also his weap
ons. | had entered the inn as a maid
| left it as man. | had only to &c
me a horse and was ready for til
highway This | bought from a farm
err, and. once mounted. booted an
spurred, felt the first return of spil
it since the happening of my misfol
tunes
well remember my feelings on m
first robbery. | heard man swear
ing at and lashing horses to get theI
through a bog, for the road was ba
and the night was dark and misty.
rode OH until | saw coach and pal
numbering through the mud. Reinin
up at the coach window. drew PHI
toll on some one-l could not Sc
whether man or. woman-and deman;
ed the travellers purse. was tren
bling from head to foot
Money | have not" said man
= voice Il give you all have" And
n handed me ring. l slipped it on n
finger and rode on. overpowered wit
O sense of guilt and shame. So di
concerted was | that forgot the rir
| on my finger till the next mornin
/ when | noticed that it was gem I
great beauty-a sapphire set in chase
gold distaste for the way 1t hs
been acquired struggled in me with
. woman's love for a gewgaw. Thrice
essayed to throw it away. and thri
. it's beauty forbade me. Then thong
would keep it. hoping that ! mig
again meet its owner and restore
. I to him.
| made but poor success as big
wayman l struck a rich Roundhea
: j h,,f ho G vora hn had but one gold ME