Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1912-06-14
The Redemptioner
A Story Of American Colo.
nial Times.
By r. A. mitchell

WONT marry nln, ana tnhLb all
there II about it"
The words were spoken $50 years ago
by lass to her stepmother In a sea-
port town In England. The family to
which she belonged was large and
lts income small. A rich man strlck-
en In years had taken a fancy to the
girl, and In those days children were
not expected to refuse to marry one
whom their parents provided for them.
Anne Yeomans spoke the words with a
hot cheek and flashing eye and at the
same time flung herself out OF the
house and down the street
Now, don't you 20 and do anything
foolish" her stepmother called after
her. but she paid no attention to the
warning. moving on rapidly, as II her
only hope to get away from the hated
connection was to put space between
her and her home.
itSSown was built on a side hill
and eFerlooked the harbor. A brisk
wind was blowing. and below ships at
anchor were rocking. the sails OF one
pointing to windward Tapping ready to
make suil.
Whittier away, my lassT came a
voice. and the hand Of woman was
ind upon her arm.
I'm running away" cried Anne pas
sionately. They're going to make me
marry an ugly old man that I hate,
and ! won't"
And where are you going?" asked
the woman.
How do know where I'm going
since have no place to Eor
The woman soothed her, won her
confidence and 6nally said to her:
There's One opportunity for such
a maid rs you to go across the sea to
the new country they call Virginia.
Once ont on the water you will leave
your stepmother and the Cd man they
intend to force you to marry, and
doubtless among the sturdy young men
Of jamestown you will find husband
worthy OF you. Why, not long ago a
shipIoad OF young women were sent
over there. and all were married at
once aud cach to the man Of her choice.
DO you see that ship down In the har-
bort She sails this afternoon for the
new country. and II you like you can
90 on her"
Alas. / have no money to pay the
passage"
u can arrange that for you. You
can 90 as n redemptioner."
whats thnt2" asked the girl.
You contract TO work out your pas
sage money after you get to Virginia.
l will pay the amount to the captain
OF the ship. who will see that you get a
good mistress when you reach James.
town. After you have earned the
money TINT hns been spent for your
taking over you will be free to do as
you like"
And Is tho work hardT
mot at all In summer you will
have to work but Ave days and bali,
ana for two months. when the sun IL
IN the highest pitch OF his heat. you
will he permitted to repose yourself
three hours 10 the day 10 winter
luctc N IHllc ioi tiie WOhitu " w puS
build Gres
The woman. dominating the girl, was
meanwhile lending her on. directing
her steps toward dock. Anne suffer
ing herself to be led without resist.
0nce When they reuched the verge
the woman waved to the ship In the
citing. and boat was sent ashore
I've redemptioner for YOU" said
the woman. Here are 20 guineas for
the passage money. and see that the
captain returns them with a goodly
profit"
Whereupon the men IN the boat beck.
oned Anne to get In with them, and
when she drew back two of them got
out. and. one taking her by each arm,
they forced her into the boat, she not
being decided whether to go with them
Willingly But II was now too late, for
she had fallen into the hands Of those
who were looking out for persons to
take to the American colony to sell
into bondage
So Anne was rowed to the ship and
placed below deck with others, some
OF whom had been kidnapped for the
same purpose as she There were also
persons who had been sentenced for
crime. the penalty having been chang
ed to transports ton to Virginia. One
OF these was woman who had been
sentenced to death for stealing 81. Cd.
For forty days the little craft which
hona fhla human earOn doattuad for