The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-03-06
Saved on the
Gallows
By LOUISE B. CUMMINGS

Duke or tlOuCeSteF WHO huiuSiVu 80
two nephews in the Tower Of London
one of whom was the rightful helr 10
the throne, and made himself king or
England in the princes stead.
At that time there lived in England
Robert Percy, a young man oil the
most admirable qualities. 1t was some
time before the secret of the murder
of the young princes began 10 leak
out, and when 1t did there were low
mutterings on the part of the people.
Percy, who was familiar with the
kings treachery, was moe loud spoken
than others, and Richard, aware OF
the young mans influence with the
masses and fearing that he would
bring about revolt, ordered his arrest
on a charge of high treason.
On the day that Percy was conduct
ed along a street leading to the Tower,
surrounded by men at arms, the GURUS
were lined with sympathizers, who
breathed prayers that he might escape
the danger threatening him and NUT
tered maledictions on the head of the
tyrant.
At an upper window stood Lady
Gwendolen Bickford, a younger daugh-
ter of the Earl of Clarendon, She
looked down on young Percy, walking
erect between his guards, his bearing
indicating that he was ready and Will
ing to lay down his life in contendlng
against crime Every one believed
that he was going to his death. his
manly beauty, his noble bearing ana
the crown of martyrdom rendered him
an object of pity to all. But to Lady
Gwendolen he was more than this.
Within those few minutes during
which he was passing her heart left
her bosom and settled upon him. Per-
cy, happening to look in her direction,
saw the lovelight in her eyes, and his
load was lightened.
Richard, fearing to order Percy TO
execution without trial, lest 1t excite
the people to revolt, directed attorneys
TO prepare case against him. Ter
sons were bribed to swear that he had
been heard advocating the kings as
sassination and placing the Duke or
Richmond on the throne Lady Gwen
dolen, hearing OF this, begged her Ia
Their to induce lawyers TO defend the
accused. The earl not only knew that
the case was hopeless, but did not dare
to oppose the king: consequently he
refused to have anything TO do with H.
One day Lady GwendOlen went to
that quarter of London given over to
lawyers and found Roger Moore, an
old attorney who had served her ia
Their. and consulted him as 10 what
might be done to save young Percy.
After listening to what the girl had to
say he replied that Percy's case was
hopeless because the king had decreed
that he should die HE will surely be
convicted" said the old man. After
his conviction there is but one way by
which he may legally escape the gal
lows. But should he go free under this
statute the king would doubtless find
some other way to get rid OF him"
Lady Gwendolen asked the attorney
10 what law he referred, and be re-
piled that 1t was decree OF King Ed
ward ~, naming u condition on which
n man about to be hanged should 90
free. As soon as the girl heard the
condition her face lighted with hope.
TO fulfil it was possible, but would 1t
avail in the endI
Percy was convicted Of high treason
against the king and sentenced to be
hanged and quartered on a certain
date. At the time an army was gath
ering under the Duke OF Richmond TO
depose the king, and Richard was gath
ering his forces 10 meet IL. There had
been former attempt TO put the duke
on the throne in the kings place. but
Richard was as bold aud energetic as
he was wicked and had defeated all
attempts against his authority.
There was no one be feared 10 leave
IN his rear so much as Robert Percy.
and when he had made all prepare
tions TO march against his opponents
be delayed a day TO make sure that
this dangerous enemy was dead.
The day before the one set for the
execution Lady Gwendolen Bickford
was closeted with Roger Moore, and
on the following morning, when the
crowd went 10 Tyburn TO witness the
hanging. these two were 81 the num-
Der. aud when the prisoner arrived
they occupied seats near the scadold.
When all was ready and the con.
demned man was about TO be swung
OF Roger Moore arose and said:
aMr. sheriff. a. counsel for the pris.
oner claim his body under an edict
81 King Edward ", who decreed that
whenever n man is convicted Of crime
and Il about to be hanged. n there be
o woman willing 20 marry him. he
shall 20 free. This woman beside me Is
willing and ready 70 marry the pris.
oner
This speech naturally Disconnected
the sheriff. who bad never beard q
the statute The judge who bad con.
vieted the prisoner was present 81 The
hanging. and The matter was referred
r. him. lie ~ once confirmed Roger
Moors's statement. whereupon Percy
vas unbound. the black cap taken
from rs bead. and BE- booked down
uron the urturnad face q lady Gwen
t5len Hictfari
TIE king waited fi1 ire hour for he
ererur1n. then. supposiug Percy % -
dead. rnn9eH - 70 Bosworth Geld
- q 60 rara rrfnr - u-na a..