The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1911-08-30
An Escape
By SUSAN YOUNG PORTER
Copyright by American Press AssO-
citation, 1911.

Our family has occupied the same
house In London for several centuries
and the upper stories are crowded
with heirlOoms and old papers. This
continued residence Is remarkable, fol
there has never been political dis
turbance I'm the kingdom In which al
least one Of my race did not take part
In nosing over an old letter written
by one of my quarrelsome ancestors
to his mother found the following
story:
Heaven keep you, my dear mother,
and may the JOY Of getting this letter
and the news contained In II not be
too much for you, seeing that your son
Is out of reach of harm in this pleasant
land of France, a land that shall
always love, since its grapes or, rather,
the Wine made from their juice Is at
the bottom Of my escape. Had 1t not
been for an idea put in my head by
the wine had In the cellar Of the
Tower would now be without head.
like the duke (of Monmouth) in whose
stupid effort to take the throne from
his uncle, King James, I was much
mixed.
You know that, being man OF rank.
yet not leader In the rebellion. was
accorded the privileges usually granted
to such persons, being lodged with the
lieutenant Of the Tower himself and
as fine a fellow as ever served his SOW
ereign. From the first l felt sure
would keep my head on my shoulders,
and il / didn't was bound to enjoy
what little time was left me. The
lieutenant and l were kindred spirits,
and many were the cups Of October
ale we drank together, he always CIV
ing the toast, May your head never
roll into q basket, but may you meet
the death of a nobleman, falling before
pike or q sword"
I had the wine you sent me down
In the cellar under the Tower in which
are the lieutenant's quarters, and one
day while drinking with my jailer. we
getting tired of ale, told him that l
had some fine French wine In the Gel
lar and If he would let me send my
man for it l would open a bottle. BE
gave the permission and the cellar key,
and, calling Jacob, gave him the
key and told him to go for a bottle.
l also tipped him knowing look.
It was only a look, and never
dreamed that a look and key would
tell him what l wished to say to him,
but couldn't speak for the presence OF
the lieutenant. But when a man is
waiting to have his head Topped of he
will cling to any straw Of hope, and
80 did 1. Jacob was gone a long
while, but in time came to the door
md instead of handing in a bottle
stood without, his clothes hanging on
MS arm. / knew what this meant,
md quick as a fash moved the key
# the door from the inside to the out
,ide and locked 1t, shutting In the lieu
enant.
1 began at once putting on Jacobs
clothes. and he began putting on mine.
While he was doing SO he told me
Why he had been so long. He had told
The man on guard that he had the key
10 the cellar where the wine was kept
and If he would come with him he
might have all he wished to drink.
When jacob got the guard in the Gel
ar he opened bottle Of the wine and
old him to drink quick because 1 was
waiting for him to come with wine
md he couldn't be too long. The man
frank two bottles as fast as he could
1our their contents down, then fell on
he floor. Jacob locked him in.
was but a few minutes getting on
breeches and doublet and, put
ing on his hat, pulled it down over
ny face. Then, pretending to be drunk
With liquor. staggered out into the
courtyard, and, passing over the spot
where two Of King Harry's wives were
1 walked past the sentry at
he postern, those | met laughing at
ne for a sOt. 1 was obliged to pass
yer Tower hill, where stood a scat
old that had for weeks been used for
such rebels as and, tOtter-
ng down into the freQuented streets,
ost myself in the crowd.
Luck helped me, for no one saw me
o know me, though saw some I
new. Isthought OF going home to
lide, but knew l would be sought
here and pushed on, moving by the
till reached the east side Of
he town, when l pushed or through
he country toward the coast.
But did not so directly east, for
7ished to see my sweetheart at Link
orn manor and give her kiss before
utting the sea between her and me,
esides relieving her mind as to the
nance of still keeping my head and
ody together. It was evening when
came to the manor. and Margaret
7as walking among the flowers. She
7as languid and dropping, for she had
cen told that would be brought to
be block In few days. When she
aw me coming in Jacobs clothes she
new his doublet and gave a cry,
linking he was bringing her news Of
1e. Staggering toward me, she fell
ainting In my arms. kissed her
ack to life, and when she opened her
yes she was looking into mine.
But there was little time, for knew
hey would seek ME where abe was
nd begged her to get me some food
! napkin while l went to the stable
nd got out horse. When one was
added rode out, met her with the
Ictuals, bent down and kissed her,
len, giving the horse the spurs, gal
ped away.
And here am In France. dear moth
:. ready to put my head In jeopardy
gain.
- a.aaf,. wn..A