Please handle this volume with care. The University of Connecticut Libraries, Storrs hbl, stx PS 2802.S12R6 1870 Romance of the charter oak : mil iiiiiiiiHiilll 3 T1S3 DDmaafli i 00 o 00 o ROMANCE s\ OF THE CHARTER OAK A Picture of Colonial Times By WILLIAM SETON. LL.D. Author of Pride of Lexington, Rachel's Fate, The Pioneer, The Shamrock Gone West, Poor Millionaire, &c. NEW EDITION NEW YORK O'SHEA & COMPANY 10 BARCLAY STREET Notice of the first editioii of Romance of tho Charter Oaky in the Evening Post of April 12th, i8j i.from the pen of Mr, Thompson its Literary Editor, The long neglected field of romance to be found in the colonial history of America has been lately worked anew and with profit by Mr. Wm. Seton, who has woven an interesting plot around the memorable episode in Connecticut annals of the rescue of the charter from the clutches of Sir Edmond Andres, in 1687. Mr. Seton reproduces the social life of that early period in a manner at once vivid and vraisembla72t, and it is abundantly evident that he has carefully studied not only the legislation and political events, but the domestic architecture, the cos- tume, furniture, popular amusements and habitudes of the time. A very stately figure moves through the story in the person of Goffe, the regicide, who was so long concealed in different hiding places in New England from the pursuit of of the re- stored Stuarts, and whose sudden reappearance to repel a foray of Indians at Deerfield is mentioned by Sir Walter Scott. The regicide is in old age when introduced to us by Mr. Seton, and takes no important part in the action of the story, but he is still threatened with the vengeance of the throne, then filled by James II , and the risk of his discovery lends additional interest to the fortunes of his lovely daughter, Lydia Goffe, the heroine of Mr. Seton 's volume. 30615 IV PREFACE. country, to make insurrection, and subvert the government." Palfrey, in his History of New England, Vol. III., page 579, likewise speaks of this conspiracy: — "The author of a piece which I read in the British State Paper Office, 'Ee- tlections on a pamphlet lately come abroad, entitled, Reasons for the Confirmation of the Charters belonging to the Several Colo- nies of New England,' declares that 'the sub- version of kingly government and the re-es- tablishment of their commonwealth in New England was long contrived before they knew anything of the Prince of Orange's arrival or design,' etc. Also, ' that such was their de- sign to rend themselves from the crown of England, will appear from the free and open confession of some well known in that con- spiracy, who have since declared by wit- nesses of undeniable truth, now here in Eng- land, that the design of seizing upon Sir Ed- mund Andros, and subverting kingly govern- ment in New England, had been long con- trived and resolved on, and was to have been PREFACE. V done the beginning of January, 1688, and that those concerned in the late revolution were to have acted the like parts, at which time was no account of the Prince of Orange's in- tention of coming into England known in that land.* In giving the burial-places of the Rever- ends Hooker and Stone, we have not been quite correct. While many of the early set- tlers of Hartford were interred near the first meeting-house, these ministers were buried in a plot bought in 1640, of Eichard Olmsted, which was situated about a hundred yards south of the green, and on the west side of Main street. W^ S. ROMANCE CHAKTEE OAK. CHAPTEE I. It was a January evening in tlie year 1687. The ground was covered witli snoWj which had been falhng steadily for two days, accompanied by a gale from the north-east, so piercing that no living creature could stand against it, and the deer and the wolves had sought refuge in the densest thick- ets. The open landscape seemed to be covered with great white billows, while in front of the cabin where Lydia Goffe and Prudence Garlic dwelt, there was such a huge drift that the entrance to it was quite blocked up. This humble abode stood not far from the right bank of the Connecticut river, but just now the stream was thickly frozen and so hidden beneath the snow that you wotJd not have discovered it except for the air-holes through which, here and there, the blue water peeped out. Around the house eight acres had been cleared and reduced to cultivation, while, as a protection against wild aninialsj the whole was en- 8 ROMANCE OF THE closed by a fence of cedar posts, placed side b^ side, and ten feet liigh. Beyond the stockade lay the primeval forest, stretching for miles and miles, a dismal wilderness, from which strange, unearthly sounds seemed to issue, and it is no wonder that Lydia Goffe and her companion believed it to be the haunt of evil spirits. At the hour when our story opens, the tempest had come to an end. and in the west a strip of blue sky, Avhich was growing every moment larger and larger, showed that the weather would be clear and bitterly cold. The sun was not far from the liorizon, and Lydia, seated by one of the windows, was watching a flock of snow-l)irds hopping about out- side, picking up a handful of crumbs slie had thrown them. Presently a gust of wind struck the house, making it tremble so, that she half believed it was going to rise and blow away. But the old logs remained firm in their places. Not so the little birds, liowever, who unable to re- sist the might of the blast, were sent whirling off, dear knows where. " Poor things !" she said, " how different is their lot from that of the robins and sparrows which visit us in spring. They now are singing merrily in some warm nook at the South. But 'tis the will of Providence. All cannot be happy alike." Lydia was entering her twentieth year. Tall and CHARTER OAK. 9 gracefully formed, slie was at the same time blest with perfect health, and her slia2>e bordering on embonpoint, was rather that of a Hebe than of a Sylph. She wore a homespun gown of a snuif color, whiv^.li fell low enough partly to conceal, \et not entirely, a neat ankle, and foot wrapped in moccasin. Her n')se was of the Grecian type, her forehead low, au 1 she had a chin marked with a deep dimple ; while her hazel eyes possessed a strange witchery that irresistibly drew you towards her. Lydia's whjle expression was that of a joyful being, one who preferred to look on the bright side of things, but who at the same time might love the turmoil of the world and whose soul was full of ambition. The few freckles which marked her face, did not detract from her beauty, they were rather beauty spots Avhich served to set off the exquisite Avhiteness of her skin, v/hile over her shoulders fell a profusion of auburn curls reach- ing to her waist. The cabin where her home had been since childhood, (save a few months in th;: year 1B80), was situated about thirty miles north of Hartford, in the colony of Connecticut, from which place it was separated by an unbroken wil- derness, with the exception of a dozen houses form- ing the village of Windsor, some twenty miles be- low them. It ;vas a small, yet comfortable abode. Tn no part of the walls was a cranny to be found, 10 llOMANCK OF THE and the roof tliatclied with the tongh native grass, kept out eveiy drop of rain. Communicating with the sonth end was a shed full of dry oak and hickory, split and ready for the fireplace, also a wooden mortar used for pounding corn, a couple of axes, a churn, and one or two other articles of household use. From this shed, you jDassfd by another door into a barn, filled with straw and corn stalks, barely sufiicient to last the half dozen sheep, and the horse and cow, through the winter. The life which Lydia led, was a very monotonous one, and although during childhood she had been contented enough, now that she was grown up her thoughts would often stray beyond the forest, which on every side bounded her vision, and it required all her natural cheerfulness, and no small degree of filial love, to bear her exile from the world, as patiently as she did. Perhaps nothing contributed more to her happi- ness than being constantly emplo3'ed. Every hout of the da}^, she was looking for something to keep her busy. She could bake corn bread even better than goodwife Garlic, and she could churn and jspin. Indeed, nearly every thing she wore was of her own making. Moreover, she was a fair scholar, at least for those days, wheii books were not so easil}- obtained as now. On the shelf, standing between the chimney and CHARTER OAK. 11 the window, was a well-fingered Bible, with many a dog leaf in it, while lying open on her lap was a copy of Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress. This work had only lately appeared, yet she had already read it twice. But Lydia w^as far from being alone in her iJmiration of it. Throughout New England it was highly prized, and soon came to be next in circulation to tlie Holy Scripture. The only per- son, she and Goody Garlic had, to cultivate the clearing and assist them in taking care of the stock and poultry, was an Indian hid, belonging to the once powerful, but now vanquished and scattered trilje of Pequots. They had named him Christian, and a very good fellow he proved himself. Occasionally he might steal off to shoot a deer or spear a salmon, but on the whole they found him industrious and the good- wife declared, he w^as as honest and truth-telling, as many she had known who did nothing but fast and exhort. They had no neighbors, and their only visitor was a man called Simon Adams, a short, thick set individual, with beard covering nearly his whole face, and whom before long we shall introduce to the reader. In the settlements he was known as Mad Adams. Of a roving disposition, he used to travel from place to place, earning a livelihood in all sorts of ways, noAV chopping wood, now hunt- 12 KOMANCE OF THE iijg wolves to obtain the twenty shillings reward offered for their ears. On his right cheek was an ugly scar — the mark of an arrow wound received during the war with King Philip, in which struggle he had fought bravely, and he was one of the few survivors of the massacre at Bloody Brook. Lvdia and he were great friends, he never came to the cabin without bringing her a present of some kind, and it was at his last visit he had given her the Pilgrim's Progress. From him she obtained news of what was going on in the settlements, and as he was fond of talking, she had learnt more than she might from ten other people. They perfectl;} agreed in their dislike of monarchical government , and he never looked so pleased as when he heard her expressing republican ideas. But Lydia's political o})inions need not surprise us, whrn we learn that her father was one of those v/ho had signed the death warrant of Charles J. William Goffe was a son of the reverend Stephen Goffe, rector of Stanmar, Sussex. He had married the daughter of Edward Whaley, whose wife was a sister of Sir George Middleton, and who belonged to a family of great antiquity. Like his father-in- law, Goffe had early distinguished himself in the civil war, had become a Colonel of Foot and com- manded Cromwell's regiment, at tlie battle of CHAllTEn OAK. 13 Dunbcir. [lo aftorwanls rose to the rank of Gen- eral, and was created a member of Cromwell's House of Lords. At Oliver's death he remained faithful to the interests of the Protectorate and signed the order proclaiming Eichard as his suc- cessor. Possessed of great disinterestedness and courage, and gifted with a comprehensive intellect, he was a man whom England could ill afford to lose. But the active part he had taken in the re- bellion was an unpardonable offence, and when Charles II. mounted the throne it was necessary for him and Wh^iley to flee to xVmerica, w^here they arrived in July, 1660. The people of Boston, headed by old Governor Endicott, accorded them a hearty welcome, and during the first few months which they spent in that City they made no attempt at concealment, but walked freely about the streets where even the children knew them, and would say to one another as they passed : "There, look, those are two of Cromwell's men." Lydia's parent became especially liked on ac- count of his religious turn of mind. He never ab- sented himself from meeting on the Sabbath, and edified every body by his prayers and exhortations. But at length intelligence arrived from England which caused him and Colonel Wlialey to believe khey were not safe remaining where tliey were. The Act of Indemnity liad not iiK-h.xled themj 14 ROMANCE OF THE and some persons, among whom were several lead- ing men of the city, began to question whether the magistrates were not bound to have them arrested. In order, therefore, to insure their own safety, as w ell as not to bring trouble upon those who had shown them so much kindness, the regicides, on the 26th of February, 1661, departed for New Ha- ven, which they reached after a fortnight's great suffering, for the w^eather ^vas very severe. In New [laven they were welcomed by the Eeverend Mr. Davenport and the citizens, who believed they had performed a righteous act in passing sentence of deatli on King Charles. But word of a proclama- tion for their arrest soon arrived, and then many worth}' people grew timorous. In order, therefore, to free the Townsfolk from cause of anxiety, they fled a second time. But where they went to re- mained for years a mystery. Thomas Kelloiul and Thomas Kirk, zealous young royalists, were commis- sioned to scour the country in search of them. They offered rewards, hired Indians to assist in the pur- suit, but no trace could be obtained of the fugitives. As we are only interested in Lydia's parent, let us ^ay, that after several hairbreadth escapes (having at one time been hidden under a bridge when his pursuers spurred over it), he came back in 1666 to the Reverend Mr. Davenport's abode, where, for ten months he remained safely concoaled,^ and CHAJtTER OAK. 15 wlienc(^ lie kept up a correspoudeiice with liis wife in England. This estimable woman wrote to him under an assumed name, and he used to address her as Mother Goldsmith. Some of Mrs. Goffe's letters are exceedingly beautiful. In one of them she says : " Let us console ourselves with this, though we may never meet in this world again, yet I hope, through Grace, we shall meet in Heaven." She did, however, enjoy the happiness of seeing him once more, for she came to America in the autumn of 1667, and passed a twelvemonth with him, under the good minister's roof. At the end of that time she died giving birth to a daughter, who was named Lydia. Soon after this bereavement, Goffe was again obliged to flee ; his host's zeal in behalf of the Commonwealth having excited the suspicions of those wdio were friendly to King James, and it having become whispered about that the dwelling might be searched. A year after this a man arrived one night at Mr. Daven- port's, bringing tidings of the fugitive, and saying it w^as the wash of Colonel Goffe that his child should be brought to him. The messenger was Simon Adams. Accordingly, at day break the next morn- ing little Lydia, half smothered in blankets, and in the arms of Prudence Garlic, a faithful domestic in the clergyman's family, set out for the wilderness. The nurse was mounted on a pillion, behind Adams. ir> I^OMANCl': OF THE and, althongli tlie joui'iiej was tiresome, the weather proved fine, and thej reached their destination at the end of the third day after leaving New Haven. How Adams had fallen in with the regicide we will now briefly narrate. It happened one day when he- was out hunting wolves that he came to a rock, close by the bank of the Connecticut river, in which there was a cave. The mouth was partly concealed by laurel bushes and ivy, but his practised eye told him that these were often brushed aside, perha]3S by Indians, or .some wild animal whose den it was. While he was cautiously examining the entrance, he was startled by the sound of a human voice, and in another moment an emaciated being emerged from the dark recess. In his distress. Colonel Goffe re- vealed to him wlio he was, and when Simon had heard his story through, he vowed that he would neither be'tray him nor let him remain longer in such a wretched spot, wdth nothing to eat but roots and berries. " 'Tis a special Providence," said ho, " whicli has brought me here. One who has served so well the cause of liberty was not to be left for bears and wolves to devour." Then, after giving the regicide the small supply of bread and bacon he had provided himself with for his hunting tour, he hastened to Hartford, and soon returned with a cou[)h^. of axes and a liorse laden with pro- ciiAiri^Eii OAK. 17 visions. Not many weeks elapsed before a log cabin was erected about half a mile liiglier up the river than where the cave- was, and, after the hard- ships he had undergone, its mud plastered walls and thatched roof seemed like a Palace to Colonel Goife ; and it is by one of its windows that his daughter is seated, this January evening, twenty years afterwards, gazing out upon the bleak land- scape and wondering how long before Adams would come to see them again. The regicide is now advanced in years, and a great sufferer from rheumatism, so that, of late, he has been of no assistance in taking care of the homestead. But the young Pequot, whom Adams had induced to enter their service, was, as we have already said, tolerably industrious, and under his man- agement the few acres which had been cleared yielded enough to supply their wants, and, all things considered, the old soldier had little to complain of. He had never been disturbed in his retreat. Indeed, so confident had he at one time become that the search for him was aban- doned, that he ventured to show himself in Hart- ford. This was in the spring of 1680, seven years before our story opens. Adams had secured fi home for him there in the family of a Sea Captain named Bull, whose wife received little Lydia, then thirteen years of age, with a kindness 8 ROMANCE OF THE which few accord to those; not of their own flesh and blood. But iu spite of the precaution taien, the presence of the regicide, (who had assumed the name of Cooke), became whispered about, and news of it soon reached Sir Edmund Andros, then Governor of New York. In less than a month the latter wrote as follows to the Governor of Connec- ticut. "To Governor Leete and the Assistants : Honorable Sirs : — Bsiug mformecl hj depositions here taken upon oath that Colonel Gofle huth been, and is still, kept and concealed by Captain Joseph Bull in the Town of Hartford, under the name of Mr. Cooke, the said Goffe and Colonel Whaley, (who is since dead in your parts), having been pursued as ti-aitors — that I may not be wanting in my dutj^ do hereby give you the above information, no waj^s doubting of your loyalty in every respect, I remain, Honorable sirs, Your affectionate neighbor, and humble servant, "New York, May 18, 1680. E. ANimos. To tliis communication Governor Leete rtplied as follows : Hartford, June 11, 1680. Honorable Sir —Although we must acknov.ledge our engage- ment unto your honor for giving us infonnation of what had been offered to yourself respecting His Majesty's service, we should have taken it well had your honor been pleased to have given u:; an account of the names of the informers, (which yet we desire you would be pleased to do speedily), and we doubt not but to give you sufficient satisfaction to clear it up, that we are much abused by these false reports concerning the good people of this place For the present, we know not how to acknowledge any (hanks to the informers, who (by the effect) seem to have icted under gross mistakes, (possibly) to delude j-our honor, and cast reproach upon ourselves of this place ; for that we being upon a solcuiu occasion log^■tlicr when Vve received your letter, and CHARTER OAK. 19 iiifonnation therein, we forthwith dispatched a special warrant to our Constable and Marshal to make a diligent search after the person mentioned, who, being upon oath, returned they had with all care and diHgence made the said search, but could find no such person as was mentioned, nor any stranger that in the least could be suspected to be any such person. After the search, our people were amazed that any such thing could be suspected at Hartford, But the Father of Lies is our enemy, and doth instigate his instruments to malign this poor colony; but we ■ 'oi^e the Father of Lights will vindicate us in His due time ; and we pray your honor's neighborly charity in the mean space, with due witness bearing against all that endeavor to abuse with false news and stories ; as is done by ourselves in such cases. Other- wise enough of such matter had not been wanting against neigh- bors to raise bad blood, by ill persons, bet^vixt such as desire to maintain good correspondence with our professed friends, that are nearly situated to us in this wilderness. We have nought to add but our respects to your honor and that we are, Honorable sir, your affectionate friends and humble servants. The Governor and Assistants present. Per their order signed, John Allyn, Secretary. . These for the Honorable Sir Edmund Andros, Knight and Gov- ernor of His Royal Highness' Territories in America, etc. * Here the matter miglit have ended, and Colonel Goffe have dwelt peacefully in his new home, had not the watchful Simon Adams discovered a plot to carry him off and deliver him into the hands of Andros. To avert such a fate, the regicide once more fled into the wildernes?5, accompanied by his daughter who had refused to remain in Hartford without him, and by the ever faithful Prudence Gar- lic. Since their return to the log house. Colonel Goffe * For above see Colonial Becords of Connecticut, by J. Ham- mond Trumbull. 20 ROMANCE OF THE had devoted a great deal of his time to L3Tlia'8 el ligation, storing lier mind with a knowledge of history, especially that of England. But it sur- prised him to see the little interest she took in the affairs of the old w^orld, where his own hopes and affections centered, and she had more than once declared that it was here in America the Common- wealth would live again. The state of the country at this period ( 1686-87 \ was w^ell calculated to excite interest. James ■ II. had not long since mounted the throne, and the people of New England Avere very depressed. Only a few ignoble spirits, wei'e rejoicing at "what they conceived to be a favorable opportunity for promoting their own schemes. Conspicuous among these were Joseph Dudle}' and Edward Randolph. The former was the son of Thomas Dndley, who had been Governor of Massachusetts in 1631, and had proved himself an honest, high-minded man. Unfortunately, he died wdien Joseph was but five years of age, and too soon, therefore, to exert any influence over him In the spring of the year preceding the one when our tale commences, a frigate had arrived in Bost ^n harbor, bearing Edward Eau'lolph, whom the king had entrusted with commissions f(n* func- tionaries of a new government over New England. It was to consist of a president, deputy president, and sixteen counsellors. Dudley had been ap- CPAETEK OAK. 21 poiiitod the president. Two diiys afterwards llan- (lolpli liad written to the Governor and magistrates of Connecticut, informing them that lie iiehl a writ of quo-Avarranto against the coh)ny. " His Ma- jest^'," he wrote, " intends to bring all New England under one government, and nothing is now remain- ing on your part but to think of an humble sub- mission and a dutiful resignatit^n of your charter, which, if you are so hardy as to offer to defend at hiw, whilst jou are contending for a shadow, you will, in tli^ fi^st place, lose all that part of your Colony from 'ihe Connecticut to New York, and have it a^.^-'.-xed to that £2fovernment, a thine: vou are ceicii,inly infoi med of already ; and nothing will prevent, but your obviating so general a calamity to all New England by an humble sub- mission. Sirs, bless not 3'ourselves with vain expec- tations of advantage and spinning out of time by my delay. I Avill engage, though the weather be warm, the writ will keep sound and as good as when first landed." This letter had beea shortly followed by another^ and a confidential one, from President Dudley to the Governor, urging Connecticut to seek a union with Massachusetts rather than with New York. But to this, Connecticut had paid no heed, pre- ferring to remain independent. Shice then Ran- dolph, who was by nature a tale-bearer, had written 22 ROMANCE OF THE to England that Dudley was becoming partial to the Puritans, and that only himself and one other member of the new government belonged to the {•Established Church. Such being the state, of affairs when Lydia had '.ist heard from the settlements, we may easily un- derstand her anxiety to get further news, and how she longed for Adams to arrive. After the gust of wind had blown the flock of snow birds away, she turned her eyes in the direction of the forest, which, even at noontime, presented in the winter season a dark, forbidding aspect ; but it appeared doubly so, now that the sun was down and night approaching. While she was thus gazing towards the west, she suddenly heard a voice calling out for a spade. " That sounds like Adams," she exclaimed, jump- ing up. " Yes," said Mother Garlic, wiping her hands on her apron ; " he's not been here in a good while ; it must be he.*' In another moment the goodwife had opened the door. But lo ! she could see nothing except the high bank of snow, which rose before her like a marble wall. As she was staring at it, wondering what to do, she heard a strange, puffing sound, and presently there appeared through the drift a pair of bands, tlieu two arms, and in another moment CHARTER OAK. 2ii iidams, looking as if he were Santa Clans himself, stood before her. " If ever I was glad to get here," he exclaimed, gasping and stamping his feet, " 'tis this evening. Why, the snow has been above my knees the whole way from Hartford. But the worst drift of all is right in front of your door. Where's Christian ? why isn't he at work clearing it away and making a path, where Miss Lydia might walk up and down and take some exercise ? Tut ! this fashion of get- ting to barns bj passing through sheds won't do. Itll take all the color out of our young folks' cheekp afore another generation. Christian, Christian !" But the Pequot had little relish for such kind of labor, and during the past two hours, that is, since the storm had ceased and the blue sky told him the morrow would be fine, he had been perched upon a heap of corn stalks fastening on a new set of arrow-heads, for he was determined to enjoy a day's Moose hunting. He heard Simon calling, how- ever, and presently his broad face appeared all in a grin. But whether it was pleasure at seeing his old friend or the ludicrous aspect the latter present- ed, which caused his mirth, we cannot tell. Certain it is, however, that Adams was the only person ever could make him laugh, and at this moment the new comer presented, indeed, a comic appearance — his shaggy beard covered with icicles, and his pulpy 24 HoM..IsO£ OF THE iiosc, usu-iUy red as a beet, now vvliite as wax, for il was frostbitten. " You out of breath," exclaimed the lad. " Ha ! no wise, me glide on top snow, jou, like deer, push straight through." For an instant Simon frowned, but the truth of the Indian's words made him only angry with him- self for not having made use of snow shoes. He was on the point of answering when Lydia seized his arm and pulled him towards the fire. " Now dry yourself," she said, " and give me the news." " Humph ! I've enough to tell, Miss," replied the honest fellow, rubbing his px'oboscis with a handful of snow ; '' but I must get supper first. O, dear, how my nose begins to prick." " Well, is it good news or bad ?" not thinking, in her impatience, aught about his suffering. "Bad, and I'm glad!" Here she let go his arm and gazed at him in won- der. She knew him too well, however, to believe he wished the colonies ill ; wiiat then could he mean ? "How's the colonel?" he asked, after o^iving a groan and shutting, for a moment, his twinkling eyes. " Father's rheumatism is about the same ; he'll be delighted to see you ; and since you won't tell CHALTFJ5 OAK. 25 me whiit has taken place ir the settlements, go u[) stands and tell him." But instead of pulling off his deer skin coat and doing as she suggested, he began to stare at her. " You're just a mite paler," he said, presently, " than when I was here last. The long winter has kept YOU too much in-doors. To-morrow I'll clear a good piece of snow away and then you can take your regular walk. I have great plans laid uui. Miss Lydia, and I don't want you to fall sick and die. You must live, and a long time too." While he was speaking, his fingers kept tearing the icicles out of his beard, Christian continued to grin, and Mother Garlic stamped her foot. The dame felt vexed both at Adams and Lydia. The latter, in her opinion, cared a great deal too much about the gossip from Hai-tford, and during the last five minutes had kept their visitor stand- ing on the edge of the hearth, until now there wavS a puddle of water at his feet, instead of helping get ready the supper. " Come, child," she exclaimed, " have an eye to the corn cake ; it'll be dark afore we can cook enough for him to eat. Come, to work." "Well, indeed, I have an uncommon appetite, and I'm glad you know it," said Adams, turning his eyes on the goodwife ; at the same time he be- gan pulling off his coat. Lydia helped him get his 26 UOMAIS (Jl"; OF THE arms out of the sleeves, then hung it up on a peg. As she did so she remarked that tlie pock- ets seemed well stuffed. " Humj)h !" said Simon, " wouldn't I be a queer fellow not to bring any thing with me when I come? I only see you three or four times a jear. When you were a babe I brought you to this spot, and I'm not going to let you groAV into a weed if I can help it. This is a lonesome home for any body, especially for a lass such as you. I only wish I had brought you more books." " Do not pity me, Adams ; I might go off and not be as happy as I am here, even if duty to my father did not keep me." " True !" ejaculated Mother Garlic, who, while she was busy taking the cups and saucers out of the cupboard, still had her ears wide open ; " Ah, Simon ! I fear you're a tempter ; talking about having great plans laid out ! Child, beware of what he says. Beyond these woods is th3 world, the flesh, and the devil." " Indeed ! ha ! I guess you feel as 1 do when I have eaten my fill, that nobody else can be liuiigi} . You had your fun once on a time, and now you want this girl to stay here until her pretty face '11 be all wrinkled. Although Miss Goffe is too good IP to complain, I know she longs to see what you call the world, the flesh, and the devil. A thousand CHARTER OAK. 27 pities she left Hartford to come back to this wilder- ness seven years ago ! Mrs. Bull would have taken as good care of her as if she had been he/ own child." These words bronght a blush to Lydia's cheek, for he was speaking exactly the truth. Although, as before remarked, she was of a happy disposition, there were times when she could not help chaffing in this cage of a home, and her thoughts of late had more than once soared beyond the pines which sur- rounded the clearing ; while Adam's visits, and his accounts of what was going on in the Cjlonies had awakned an ambition she had not been conscious of before. But now let us see what she is pulling out of the honest fellow's pocket. First came a paper of tobacco. " Oh ! won't father be glad to <^et this," she ex- claimed, " and what a nice pipe too, so different from the corn-cob one he has been using. Really, Adams, 'twas very kind in you to think of him." He nodded, then turned and- gave Prudence a triumphant look. " And what is this ?" thrusting her hand in again and producing a pack of cards. She stared at them a moment, for they were the first she had ever seen ; then looked inquiringly at the goodwife. " Beware, beware child !" cried the latter, with a slight shriek, " touch not what the church forbids 28 KOM NCE OF THE Drop those poisonous tilings as jou value jour soul's salvation." " Then they're not the first you've seen !" growle.l Adams. " If these pieces of pasteboard with strang ^ devices are meant for any unholy amusement, 1 cannot accept the in," said Lydia, re-toring them to the pocket ; "the church knows what is best." " Well, do as you like," said Adams ; " they'll be a gift for the Colonel. He's as good a christian as Increase Mather, yet I'm sure he won't scream and make a fuss when he sees tlitmi." But his irown quickly disappeared, as Lydia produced gift num- ber three, which seemed to puzzle her full as much as the cards ; this was a jew's-harp. " Well, that you won't refuse, nor Goody Garlic either," he exclaimed ; " 'twill mellow her crabbed spirit and make the praj-ers flow from her mouth, like sap out of a young maple when it's first tapped." " Oh, how you talk," said the girl, looking re- proachfully at him. " I mean, that that 'ere article is for making music, and music comes nearer to whnt I con- ceive heaven's delights to be than anything else Wliy, when I used to go to meeting (I say used to go for I ain't been often of late) I Jiever felt a mite of religion till they had struck up a psalm. Now, Miss Goffe, I see you're laughing; 'taint right, I'm a groat sinner, I know, and it'll take a deal of (■[iVKJ'Ki; i»AK. 29 liiusic to carij me tlirougli to Zion ; l)ut don't hiiigh, if all were like yourself meeting houses wouldn't be m eded. But to come back to the subject of card playing, I really cannot see how it is sinful. Wliy ain't I as good a judge about it as Increase Mather, *vho blows such a loud horn !" Lydia did not reply, as he seemed inclined to be disrespectful in speaking of the clergy. Present- ly he took the jew's-harp from her and began playing upon it with such skill that in less than a minute dame Garlic's head, then her whole bod}^, was swaying from side to side, wdiile one of her lingers beat time on the bottom of a plate. Perceiving the effect which the melody produced, he continued to play harder and harder, and would perhaps have ke2:>t on for half an hour, had he not heard the Colonel calling him. At once he took the instrument from his lips, returned it to Lydia, then drawing fi'om his pocket the pack of cards, 1- listened up the sfair-eape. He found the old soldier abed, and a good deal jdtered since the last time he had seen him. His face was thinner, while so much hair had fallen out that the crown of his head was quite bald. But liis eye shone as bright and his voice sounded as cheery as ever. After a hearty shake of the hand, Adams drew up a bench and sat down close by th« bed. :)0 ROMANCE OF TnE " I thought you might be here soon," said the Ccjlouel ; "but I diJn't expect you right after such a storm. Why, it snowed all to-day and all yester day, and only stopped a couple of hours ago." " And cleared up awful cold," said Simon, feeling his nose, which was regaining a little of its natural color. " Well, I had snug quarters in [lartford and jolly fun at the Bunch of Grapes tavern, which you must know, sir, I've got a license to keep , but sud- denly I began thinking of you and Miss Lydia ; queer notions came into my head. Wolves had broken through the stockade and eaten you up - you were burnt out — provisions had failed — you were starving. In fact I grew so nervous that with- out waiting for the y>^eather to clear, I started olf to see how you were." "It was very kind, Simon, very kind. But you've got frost-bitten. Be sure now and keep away from the fire." "Yes, I wasn't aware of it till I reached the hoB-se. Lord how it does prick ! It feels as if somebody was making a pincushion of my m^se." After giving a groan, for the pain was really sharp, he produced the pack of cards. " Here, sir, is something I brought your daughter, hoping to please, but that crotchetty nurse told her not to touch them as they'd poison her soul, therefore I concluded to make "em a ])resent to CHAHTKII OAK. 31 jou, wlio no doubt have overcome your ancient scruples and yet say fall as many prayers as ever." " Well, I'm not quite as particular about some things as I was once upon a time " — here tho Colonel smiled — " but let me see what you have.' Adams unrolled the paper and showed him its contents. " Why, no, I don't believe there is any harm in these," said the Colonel. " The people of New England go too far in their religious notions. However, that is better perhaps than going to the other extreme, as I've known many do in Europe, and having no scrui)les about anything," He now took the cards and placed them for safe- keeping under his pillow ; we say for safe-keeping, as he knew the goodwife would not hesitate to de- stroy them if she found them within her reach when she came to sweep next morning. Having done this he asked Simon to begin and tell the news. He felt especially anxious to hear what had oc- curred in England. x4.t once Adams commenced, and Colonel Goffe listened with the deepest interest, " I half believe," he exclaimed, when the tavern keeper had finished, " that Lydia is right. The King will force the best people in the Mother Country to come over here ; yes, she has often de- clared her faith in the commonwealth living again in America. Now, one of my chief reasons for 32 KOMANCE OF THE ^vislling these colonies justly treated, is to preveni tliat restless craving for independence, which, you say, is begining to show itself. Let them as far as possible manage their own affaii^, yet never cut adrift from England. But, Adams, you ought to hear Lydia talking on this subject. Oh, how en- thusiastic she becomes!" " She and I have often spoken about it, sir ; she has a broad mind, a great soul." " Dear child !" pursued the Colonel, " anywhere else but in this lonely forest, she'd make a mark, I'm sure of it." " True as Gospel !" muttered Adams, folding his arms and staring at the floor. During the next few minutes he did not speak another word, but seemed to be meditating deeply on something. The room was grov/ing dark. " God grant," he exclaimed, suddenly looking up, " that my plans may succeed !" " Pray what are they, Adams ?" " Never mind, sir — by and by — here she comes." Lydia appeared just then at the top of the stair- case, carrying in one hand a flipding (a hollow dish filled with hog's grease, with a twisted rag hi it, which being lighted, served for a candle,) and in the other a tray with a bowl of milk and some slices of toast. " Now, Adams !" she exclaimed, smihng, " go CHARTER OAK. 33 down, supper is ready ; you and nurse can talk politics together." " But ain't you coming too, Miss ?" " No, I'll remain with father." "Nay, child," said the Colonel, "place those things near me so that I may reach them, and go have a chat yourself with Simon ; it's not often you have the opportunity. I'll eat alone this evening." Glad of the permission, she put the tray on the bench near the bed, then withdrew to the lower floor, followed by Adams. No sooner did the latter catch a glimpse of the table than he strode swiftly up to it, then for at least a minute, stood perfectly still, his face as grave as a judge. lie was saying grace. " (jrlad you ain't give up praying altogether," re- marked the goodwife when he had finished. " I never feel so pious as just before a hearty meal," said A. lam-;, taking his seat. " Grace is the sinceresi prayer I make. The very smell of victuals stirs my spirit more than a sermon." Certainly he could not complain of the repast 'spread before him. It was the best the cabin could affonl. On a large vrooden platter were slices of fried venison, then came a dish of boiled Indian meal, a jug of maple syrup, a old pumpkin pie, corn cake and a pitcher of milk ; but there was neither tea nor coffee — the former noi coming into 31 ROMANCE OF THE use until 1750, the latter not before 1770. The plates were of pewter, and there w^as no table cloth. Lyclia immediately filled the bowl to the brim with milk, then helped him to the largest slice of meat. " Thanks ! " he exclaimed, snatching up his fork, " but don't mind me, eat yourself ; and make haste, for when I begin the news your appetite '11 vanish." " How so ?" she inquired, taking a seat next to hira. " Bad news isn't good for it," speaking with difficulty, as his mouth was already full. This was all he said for ten minutes and until he had swallowed his second bowl of milk and devoured three-quarters of the pie, to the no small grief of Christian, who was very fond of it. In the meanwhile Lydia partook of a little her- self, then waited as patiently as she could until he was ready. "But although the news is bad," he said at length, drawing his sleeve across his mouth and smacking his lips, " as I told you at first, I'm not sorry. No matter how overcast the sky may be, there's always sunshine above the clouds. A tem- pest purifies the air. Freedom springs from op- pression. We need a despot here to rouse the people ; and when they do rise — then, by Jehovah ! CHARTER OAK. 35 no more Dudleys, no more E-andolphs, no more Androscs will ever trouble them again." As lie spoke lie bronglit liis sledge-hammer fist down upon the table with a thumj^ which made every cnp and dish rattle, so that Mother Garlic and Lydia believed they were fallhig to pieces. The girl could not but think what a terrible fellow he must be Avhen in a passion, and wondered if that w^ere not the reason they called him Mad Adams ; while the dame hastened to fill his bowl for the fourth time in hopes of calming him. But he pushed it away, nearly overturning it, and Prudence then placed herself on the opposite side of the iable, for she was beginning to be afraid. When his excitement had subsided a little, he brought the cup back again, then raising it to his lips took a long draught, after which he began seriously to give the news. "' We've lately," said he, turning to Lydia who stood at his elbow, "had a change of rulers. Dudley is no longer president." | Here another pause during which he emptied the bowl, then went on : " You must know. Miss, that towards the end of December, a frigate called the Kingfisher arrived at Boston, bearing Sir Edmund Andros who had been sent to take his place. Noav, thisAndros is the same who wa< Governor of Man- hadoes just after the Duke oi York recovered that 36 ROMANCE OF THE Province from the Datcli. It was be who wanted to encroach upon the domain of Connecticut, and if it hadn't been for the bold stand which Captain Bull and his hundred followers made behind the ramparts of Saybrook fort, he might have succeeded in his impudent claim. And he is the same, too, who wrote to Governor Leete in 1680, informing him that your father was concealed in Hartford. O how I hate him ! But now the wolf is again upon us ; we must not fall asleep. One of liis first acts has been to create Dudley a Judge of the Superior Court, and he has brought over from England a new flag, which bears a red cross on a white ground." " A cross, did jou say !" exclaimed Lydia and Mother Garlic simultaneously. "Yes, a red cross on a white ground, and in the centre there is a crown wrought in gold with the letters J. E. Still if that v/ere all, much as I dis- hke anything which smacks of Popery, I would not caU it much. But he is sternly carrying out the policy of His Boyal Master towards Massachusetts, and if that Plantation is humbled, woe to the others, for she is our guiding-star." " True !" exclaimed Lydia, " God bless Massa- chusetts." " Then, again, he intends to allow no taxes to be collected except by himself ; and he also vows that CHARTER OAK. 37 he'll crusli out the religion of the Pilgrims. Why, on the very day he landed he began searching for a meeting-house which might accommodate his half-popish followers." " Shocking ! Adams — shocking !'* " Oh, Miss, sinner though I be, and although I have some peculiar notions of my own in regard to church matters, I'll fight to the death for the faith of my parents who came over in the May Flower." " Well, Simon, tell me how have the people borne All this?" " They are begining to show their teeth. In- crease Mather, who is no coward, told Sir Edmund to his face that he should not use one of our meet- ing-houses.'"* " But suppose Andros persists, what then ?" " H a ! what then ! didn't I say, that the news made me rejoice? Why, then, a fire will be lit which King James will never quench. These colonies will become free and independent." " Too good almost to hope for, and yet I believe it is coming." As Lydia spoke she clasped her hands. " But all isn't told yet," pursued Adams, who evidently took a fierce delight in narrating the wrongs w^hich were being perpetrated. " The new Governor has forbidden town meetings. But, worst of all, or rather in my view of things best of all, •Palfrey. HiHt. N. E.. vol. iii., p. 521. 38 ROMANCE OP In. he has announced that owners of land must applj- to him to have their titles confirmed. This is llie opening wedge whereby he intends to deprive many of their property in order to give it to his retainers, I feel sure, also, he'll not be long in demanding of Connecticut to surrender her charter, just as Eandolph did." " He'll never get it," said Lydia, her eyes flashing and her countenance so full of enthusiasm that Adams stopped a moment to admire her. " But I hope he'll try," " But he'll never get it, Simon." " If all were like you, perhaps not." Then drop- ping his voice too low for her to hear : " Would," he said, *' that the Captain could lay eyes on her. Yes, I must try. I'll leave no stone unturned to bring it about. Charity Crab tree's letter may help me." " But does Andros give no reason for declaring void all titles to land ?" inquired Lydia ; " is his method open robbery, the right of might?" For a moment Adams rubbed his forehead as if trymg to recollect something. " Oh no, Miss, al- though his scheme is founded on a wickedness, it .still has a shadow of reason." Here he again rub- l)edhis forehead, and stammered: "You see, the highest Tribunal in England having declared the Charter of Masschussetts void, then, according to CHARTER OAK. 39 English law, every right aud privilege founded upon fche Charter, falls with it. Now among those rights was that of conveying land, and that right failing, the title of the assigns fails also. Hence it follows that every acre in Massachusetts belongs at this moment to King James II., by hereditary and offi- cial descent from Henry VII., the original Chris- tian owner." While he was speaking, Prudence had kept her grey eyes fixed upon him, and when he was through she burst into a laugh. " An ingenious explanation," she said ; " pray is there not some- body in the settlements whose words you learn by rote ? from the hurried way you spoke, you seemed afraid of trusting your memory." Adams scowled at her a moment, then shrugging his shoulders went on : " Now what is done in oiio Plantation will be done in all, until our necks, tired of bending, the day of glory shall arrive. The hunter will abandon the deer track, the farmer leave his plough, and there will be such a stirring of New England's spirit as will make many call it a fire from heaven.' " And so it will be, Adams. Is not the hand of Providence visible in our short history ? The ocean didn't swaUow up the May Flower ; nor did the cold winters and the savages prevent those who came here to serve Christ from spreading further 40 ROMANCE OF THE and further into the wilderness. King James oaD not crush those whom the Almighty protects." •'* Oh, Miss Goffe !" exclaimed Simon, " a thous and pities there is no meeting-house close by where you might exhort. Why, do you know, you stir the very marrow in my bones, and draw the frost from my nose so that it doesn't prick any more." " Hypocrite, !" muttered the goodwife, " if she exhorted an hour, she'd not pull them cards out of your pocket." He w^as meditating a reply to these stinging words when Lydia heard her father call, and off she ran without waiting to hear what he said. " You may abuse me as much as you like, dame Garlic," he exclaimed, " but it shan't change my opinion ; she is a wonderfully gifted body, and I don't think it right for her to remain always in this desolate spot ; nor shall she if lean prevent it." " Then you'd take the child away from her aged parent, would you ? You know Colonel Goffe dare not show himself in the settlements ; he tried it some years ago and had to flee." " Well, in the first place," returned Adams, "she is not ji child, just look at her ! Why I've been to many a husking party and never yet seen a maiden so lovely. What an armful she'd make !' At tLese words Prudence gave a scream, but with- out minding her he went on : " It wouldn't take a CHARTER OAK. 41 week to kiss her freckles away — now don't fly at me for saying this" the goodwife had suddenly placed her hand on the broomstick. " Then again," he continued, " think what service she might do the country ; why, a person of her spirit would be worth a dozen Train-Bands. And if she went to the settlements mighii't you accompany her, while 1. staid and took care of the Colonel ? Where would be the danger with you at her side? Now don't look bewildered. The fact is, both you and the old gentleman forget that she is now a woman." Here he paused, and for the next five minutes neither of them opened their lips. IJ e had indeed confused the dame by this novel proposition, and at first she hardly knew whether to scold or not. Little by little, however, a light seemed to dawn upon her ; it was as if she were awakening from a dream. " Yes,"' thought Prudence, " 'tis a good many years since Lydia's childhood ; never has she seen any one but myself. Christian, her father aiil Simon, except during her brief sojourn in Hartford, when she was entering her teens. Is this just? Ought she, even for the sake of a parent,to continue hidden from the world ?" While these thoughts occurred to her, Adam^ rose, and Hghting his pipe stood with his back to the fire, apparently as deeply absorbed as herself. 42 ROMANCE OF THE At length Prudence also left her seat and began washing up the dishes. *' I didn't come here to-daj," he resumed, after allowing her time to think over what he had been saying, " without bringing you a present as well as Miss Lydia. And I believe you'll like it better than a jew's-harp ; unless I am much mistaken it is a missive from a long forgotten friend — look !" here he drew from his j)ocket a crumpled letter, while the old maid without ceasing to wipe the plate, slyly turned her eyes towards him as if she only half believed wbat lie said. In an instant her heart was throbbing violently' . "I don't ask you to read it aloud, albeit my curiosity would be much gratified if you did ; here —take it." Now considering that the paper he held towards her was unsealed ,his language was not a little pro- voking, for she knew he was quite capable of hav- ing already pried into its contents. She did not, however, accuse him of this, but with a trembling hand adjusted her specs — then, as she opened it, Raid : " Yon might have let me have it before." " Then my ' wittles' wouldn't have tasted so good," he replied, winking at Christian, who had just awakened from a doze. " Your whole mind CHAKTEIl OAK. 43 would not liave been given to broiling the venison steaks." This remark passed unnoticed, the dame being too intent on the persual of the letter. As she proceeded her countenance gradually softened, and by the time she got to the end, Lydia, who had returned from her father's room, saw the change and declared her nurse had grown younger. *• What is that !" exclaimed the girl, placing the tray on the table ; then going up and peeping over her shoulder : " Some riddle he's been giving you to solve ? I hope he's brought a good budget of them." " No, no, child," replied the good wife, wiping her eyes ; " 'tis a letter from an old friend, one whom I used to know in New Haven when I was a servant in Mr. Davenport's family. She says she's often wondered what had become of me, for you must know, Lydia, that I slipped off in the night- time with you in my arms, without telling a soul where I was going; and now it seems she's heard I'm among the living and wants me to pay her a visit. Her home at present is in Hartford. Truly Adams" — here Prudence turned towards the latter with an expression of the deepest gratitude — '' you were a good fellow for stumbling on Charity Crab tree." 44 KOMANCE OF THE "How affectionately she writes, doean't she?" said the tavern keeper with a grin. " Then,- just as I suspected, you did re^ad this before giving it to me," exclaimed the dame, try- ing hard to appear vexed. " I did not, but your friend, with Avhom I am on intimate terms, read it aloud before putting it into my hands." " Well, tell me now," continued the goodwife, " how came Charity to discover that you knew me?" " Ah ! how ? Well, I've told you already that I have a pet scheme which, sooner or later, I hope to carry out ; and one day while I was talking to her about it, I happened to mention your name. O, you should have seen her start ! It appears she had long given you up for dead, and when, after further conversation, she became convinced you were the same Prudence Garlic she had known once upon a time, and when I added that you were not more than a day's journey from where she was sitting, she at once got pen and ink and wrote you that letter." " But I hope you didn't tell her any thing about—" " Oh, of course not. Although I'm a great talk- er, no words of mine shall ever betray the Colonel. I did indeed mention Miss Lydia, but I said she was your niece." CHARTEK OAK. 45 Here tlie goodwife clasped her hands, and cried out, " Oh, 1/vhat a fib to tell !" then asked how long since the letter had been written, for there was no date to it. " No longer ago than yesterday. It's doubtful, however, if I'd have brought it so soon on account of the storm, if I hadn't got uneasy about you all. Queer notions came into my head, and so I started off at once. Of course you mean to go ? and you'll take Miss Lydia too, -I insist upon that, — she's ex- pected as well as yourself." Here Lydia gazed inquiringly at Mother Garlic, who was sorely puzzled what to reply. '' It might do the dear child no harm ; nay, I'm willing to believe the change would be beneficial," answered the dame, in a tone slow and measured, " provided she kept in her heart the same devotion to Christ which she has here, and fell not into the snares that would be spread for her destruction. Child, would you like to visit the settlements ?" " Oh, exceedingly," replied Lydia ; " but father ! who'd take care of him?" " Leave that to me," said Adams ; " I'm going up stairs again, presently, and I'll broach the sub- ject, and so sure am I he'll grant my request that you may consider yourseK henceforward Goody Garlic's niece, or, if you please, her daughter — 46 ROMANCE OF THE there's such a resembhince between you " Here he laughed, and glanced towards the old maid. " Now, don't speak thus," returned the latter. " If you mean to make fuu of my wrinkles, remem- ber that Lydia's own fair skin will not be as it is now forty years hence, if the Almighty spares hei to reach that age." These words were uttered with so much feeling that Adams was touched. " Well, well, forgive me," he exclaimed; "I know I'm a rough fellow, better fit to be with lumbermen and hunters than the like of you and Miss Lydia. Forgive me, and then T can go and ])lay cards with a quiet spirit." As he appeared sincere she let him shake her hand, but as he was doing it she determined to narn him once more against the sinful amusement. She wished also to tell him tliat she had scruples about the girl's taking a false name. [le must have guessed what was on her tongue, for suddenly he drew back with a grin, and in another moment was darting up the stair-case. Pre- sently Christian stretched out his arms and gave a yawn, then rose and went out to take a look at the stock and see if any wolves were prowling around ; ior after such a snow storm some of them might mount upon a drift and get inside the stockade. While he was thus employed, Prudence ami Lydia finished washing and putting by the supper- things, CHABTER OAK. 47 after wliicli tliej sat down near tlie fire and there, needle in hand, began chatting about society in a way neither of them had ever done before. At length, so unmindful did the goodwife become of all her own precepts, that she suddenly found her- self describing a rollicking husking party in New Haven in the years long gone by, where a saucy youth liad kissed her twice on each cheek. She had Just let slip this fact when she stopped, bit her lip, and refused to go on with her story, although Lydia pressed her hard. " The w^orld's vanities," thought Mother Garlic, " will come soon enough when once the dear child leaves this cabin. Happily the laws are strict and forbid kissing, as well as ribbons, laces and silver ornaments, and it will take the devil some time to tlirow his net around her, if he ever does, which Christ forbid." CHAPTEK II. Mother Gaelic saw nothing more of Adams that ©Yening, for he remained with Colonel Goffe playing cards till long after she and Lydia had gone to to bed. Before retiring, however, she stood a mo- ment listening at her master's door, and when she discovered what lie was doing fell on her knees 48 ROMANCE OF THE and prayed the Lord to forgive him. It shocked her beyond measure to see one whom she esteem- ed so highly, thus led astray ; and although Si- mon had given her a great deal of pleasure in bringing the letter fi-om Charity Crabtree, she still could not forget that he had likewise intro- duced forbidden things into the house, and for more than an hour she lay awake on her couch, groaning over it. And when she opened her eyes again, after a fitful slumber, it was the first thing entered her mind. " I'll take care of the child at any rate," she said, as she bustled about the fire- place next morning, with nobody to help her, for Lydia had remained awake even longer than her- self, thinking of the probable -sisit to Hartford, and consequently was rather late rising. '' No doubt," she continued, " it'll do the child good to see a lit- tle of the world ; I'll do my best to keep her inno- cent. The like of Adams W'ould soon make her worthy of the stocks and the ducking-stool. li he's wicked enough to play cards, he's wicked enough to drink, and then, dear knows to what ex- tent he may be in Satan's power." The object of her vituperation Was at this very moment hard at work shovelling the snow away from the door. The sun had just risen and the air. even for January, was bitterly cold. Nevertheless, he seemed to enjoy it, and w^lien, now and then, he CHARTEH OAK. 49 stopped to rub his hands, he would glance up at the blue sky and grin. " If I succeed," said he, " in my plans, TYL wil- lingly do a fortnight's fasting. Ah ! how delight- ful if I can only bring it about. Just think of it, all living together in a civilized place ! This is not a fit home for a man of Colonel Goffe's age, broken by rheumatism, nor for a sweet blossom like Miss Lydia. No, she mustn't be let grow into an old maid, which she certainly will if she remains here." Presently his look changed to a frown : " But it's too bad to think she must cut off those lovely curls ; yet if Increase Mather sees her, what can prevent it? And Israel Barebones, the Ruling Elder, he too, will insist on having them clipped. 1 don't believe Captain Joe would object to 'em if he were only let alone ; but he has such scruples about everything Avhich isn't approved by the min- isters of the gospel, who are the very deuce for meddling. I've told him a hundred times that we're just as good as they are, and that we ought to do our own preaching. But because I hold such an opinion, folks call me mad, and I guess it's partly the reason why they've taken from me the title of * Mr.' Bah ! what a queer world this is !" Wliile he was thus soliloquizing, his shovel kept plunging into the snow, scattering it at such a rate that one might have supposed he was working for 50 ROMANCE OP THE a wager ; but he always worked witli energy when he worked at all, and he had made up his mind not only to remove the drift, but also to clear a space in front of the house where Lydia might take some exercise. He believed fresh air was better for the health than anything else ; and we know he had a special reason for wishing the girl to preserve hers. Let dame Garlic say what she w^ould, Adams was a kind-hearted being. It is true he drank ale and cider pretty freely, was fond of cards, and now and then would utter a profane word ; but remember he had fi'om boy- hood led a roving life, and never until lately had he chosen a home. While he was thus employed, laying the foundation of a voracious appetite, the door suddenly opened and the old maid peeped out. There was a sternness in her exprassion which he had never noticed before, while at the same time her eyes showed that she was excit- ed. Now Adams was quick-witted, and guess- ed at once that she was bent on giving him a lecture, and if he wished to escape it he must, with- out losing a moment, turn her thoughts on some other subject. So straightening up his back he bade her good morning, and inquired if she had had any dreams during the night. He knew this was an awe-inspiring subject ; and sure enough, just as he had hoped, she forgot all about the ex- CHAETER OAK. 51 hortation, and opening the door a little wide]-, re- plied in a solemn voice : " Yes, I did have one." " Then tell it to me, and I'll shovel all the harder Avliile I listen. Isn't there something in it about Charit}' Crabtree ? — who, by the way, writes down all her dreams." "As I do mine ; but in this one there was nought about my friend." " Well, I'd give anything to see the book where they're recorded ; women's dreams are so much more toucljiiig than men's ! Hard world, good- wife, eh ? if it weren't for the women folk." But although during the next five minutes ho said more sweet things of the female sex than we care to repeat, he failed in inducing the old maid to tejl anything further about her vision ; not that she disliked being questioned on the subject— she rather liked it, and used daily to read to Lydia a n! soon kindled, and roaring up the chimney with sucl. a noise that one, at least, of the sleepers heard it, and in a few minutes Prudence appeared with a smile on her face and an approving nod, as much as to say : " Well done, child !" But when she discover- 64 ROMANCE OF THE ed that neither Christian nor Adams had, as yet, made their appearance, she broke out into a violent tirade against the whole male sex. Her voice soon roused the lazj ones. " We do all the drudgery," she cried, " and yet they pretend to be our betters and lord it over us just as our big rooster does over the hens. But he only crows and eats up the corn — does he ever lay an egg ? not he ! and when the chickens are hatched does he take care of them ? not he ! O fie on the men folks ! Mi ad, Lydia, if any man ever asks you to be his wife make your bargain before the knot's tied. If you don't, he'll lay awake mornings while you're down cooking his breakfast. O fie on 'em !" — here she stamped her foot—" I don't mean to be irreverent to scripture, but it has always been my notion that if Adam was made first,Eve was just worth two of him." " It's all very fine to talk that way," growled Simon, as he descended from the upper story ; " but if it hadn't been for your side of the house we'd be living now in Paradise. Oh how the woman folk must love apples !" Scarcely had these words passed his lips when down came a broomstick across his shoulders, then up it went till it touched tiie ceiling ; then down again, swift and hard upon his right arm. In fact, CHARTER OAK. ^^ he afterwards confessed it was the roughest usage he had received since King PhiHp's war. " That'll cure your saucy tongue," cried Pru- dence, lifting her weapon for a third blow. But ghe was not quick enough- — the tavern keeper was rushing towards the door and in another moment was safe outside. Just then Christian came sneaking down and went straight off to the barn where the stock were anxiously waiting for him. During the next half hour, Lydia and the goodwife busied themselves preparing breakfast, and they made all the haste they could, for the sun would soon be above the horizon. When it was ready, Lydia went to the door and blew a horn, then lingered a moment on the threshold en- joying the breeze from the west, which, although it was keen, made her feel almos j as if she could fly. Never had the heavens appeared so gloriously blue, and the sparkhng sno^v looked as if Winter had been scattering diamonds over the landscape. " The nag is as full of the devil as a certain friend of mine," said Adams, presently walking up; "Jack has done nothing this morning but paw and neigh ; I bet he's had a dream " " Hush !" exclaimed Lydia, " you shall not tease nurse." For a moment Simon grinned, then, without 66 ROMANCE OF THE waiting for the others, began liis grace, after which he sat down, and for a quarter of an hour did not utter a word. The meal spread before hiii) was certainly worthy of his undivided attention — the Indian cakes had never tasted better, and his hand was often stretched towards the jug of maple syru23. " I'd grow fat if I lived here," he sighed, unbuttoning his coat; "I'd Hke to eat one more griddle but I can't ; it's not, however, for want of will" " Well, I'm sure there's not another girl in Con- necticut can make those cakes equal to Lydia," exclaimed Mother Garlic, proudly. " Well, it was you taught me," said the girl. "' Her merits will soon be discovered when she gets to the settlements," pursued Adams; "but come, it's time to be moving. Don't be long clear- ing i)if these things and p tting them away ; I want you to take an early start, anJi tra\\,4 brisk, so as to reach Hartford afore dusk." Here he rose, lit his pipe and walked out, turn- ing round, however, before closing the door to say that he would have Jack saddled in a very little ^^hile. Christian followed him, and when they were in the barn Simon proceeded to give the youth some final instructions regarding the journey, and, for the second time, asked him if he would not take a i-ifle instead of his bow and arrows. CHAKTER OAK. fi? This the Pequot stubboi-iilj lefusecl to do. " I'm not afraid of wolves," said the youth ; "if any of them come close enough I'll use my tomahawk." Perceiving that further argument was useless he dropped the subject, and stood silently by till Christian had put the saddle on the horse, merely remarking that it was time to have a new girth, as the present one was dear knows how old. In the meanwhile the good wife was busy stowing away her own and Lydia's effects in a sheepskin bag, and the reader may be sure she did not forget her dream-book, which she was determined Charity Crabti'ee should peruse, of course, on condition that the latter would show her hers. When she had finished packing, she gazed around to see if anything else required her attention, but she could discover nothing; — there was not a crumb ou the floor — every saucer and platter had been put by in the cupboard, and the Avhole room showed the mark of woman's attention. " How different 'twill be to-morrow," she sighed, " and every day till I return, things will grow worse and worse ; men folks love dirt and disorder." At length she heard the nag approaching from the barn, and immediately calling out to Lydia, Avho was with her father, to make haste, the dame put on her cloak. In another moment the old gentleman, who had resolved, infirm as he was, to 68 HOMANCE OF THE see them off, came slowly down the stair-caso, leaning on his daughter's arm and looking like some ancient patriarch with his white beard and high, noble brow. In his right hand he held the pack of cards Simon had brought, and which had already afforded him a great deal of pleasure. No sooner did the dame catch sight of them than she groaned and rolled up her eyes. " Ought I," she asked herself, " to suffer the dear child's parent to go to damnation without a warning? no, no!"— and as she pronounced the last w^ord she advanced swiftly to the bottom of the steps. Colonel Goffe did not divine her purpose, nor did Lydia, who supposed she wanted to help him to a seat. Imagine therefore the astonishment of both, when Prudence with the impetuosity of a cat when she pounces on a mouse, seized the Colonel's hand, unbent his fingers and took away the cards. Never in all her life had the gui been so dumb- founded, and she looked anxiously at her father; but the latter controlled his temper after a brief struggle, in which his eyes flashed fury, and presently a smile broke out on his face. He knew that Mother Garlic was a religious fanatic, as he himself had been in former days, and where would be the use of quarrelling, now that they w^ere about to separate, perhaps for months ; so without uttering a word he advanced across the room, and CHARTER OAK. 69 seating himself near the fire began to warm his hands. . Such perfect composure astonished the old lady, who hr.d not expected an easy victory; indeed if the ti'uth must be told, she rather re- gretted his mildness, as it lessened her excuse for a parting exhortation. She felt herself suffering for the Avant of a vent-hole, through which her pent-up feelings might escape, and for half a minute after getting possession of the trophy, she could do . nothing but bite her lip. Ought she to carry the sinful things away in her pocket, or de- stroy them at once ? she chose the latter course. Approaching the old gentleman she address- ed him in a solemn tone : " Colonel Goffe, if you don't reach Zion 'tAvon't be because I didn't try to keep you on the straight path " — then, be- fore he could even utter an exclamation, the pack was in the fire, twisting and turning into all sorts of shapes. Lydia, whose indignation could now hardly be restrained, flew to the corner where the tongs w^ere kept, but Mother Garlic had placed them beyond her reach. " Oh, sir !" continued the dame, "when you hear the last tiumpet calling us to judgment you'll bless me for what I've done." " Yerily," he exclaimed, " you take great interest in my spiritual welfare." "And should I not, sir? if we helped one an- 70 RO]\rANCE OF THE other in this sinful world more than we do — if when a pilgrim strays out of the road we followed him to bring him back, how many that are lost would be saved. But alas ! the way is rough and tiresome, and we appear content if we can only get to Heaven ourselves. Oh, sir, think how mucJi greater would be the bliss if we were all there to- gether, none of those whom we have loved on earth missing." This speech made such an impression on Lydia that she held her peace, while Colonel Goffe mur- mured " Amen !" Here Adams entered. " Come, come !" Ire ex- claimed, " the sun's up ; it's not wise to delay, the trail my be slippery and you'll not be able to travel fast. Remember it's twenty miles to Windsor, but I don't want you to tarry there a moment ; you must keep right on to Hartford, so as to reach it by nightfall." He did not alarm them by any allusions to wild beasts — not on account of Lydia, who he knew was fearless, nor lest he might shake the nerves of Mother Garlic — ^but because he had a misgiving that the Colonel, even at this late hour, might for- bid the journey. The girl now gave her father an affectionate embrace, then Avent out and stood a moment patting the horse's mane. Presently she jumped CHARTER OAK. 71 liimbly into the saddle, while Goody Garlic who had followed her to the threshold, remained timid- ly gazing at the pilUon, i'oi it was many years since she had ridden on one, and she felt little inclined to trust herself in what seemed such an insecure place. In the meanwhile Colonel Goffe beckontd to the tavern keeper, and whispered something in his ear. In a moment the latter, with a fierce expression, strode up to the goodwife, and catching her by the waist lifted her without ceremony into the seat behind Lydia, muttering as he did so, " I hope the wild beasts will devour you ; the ruad is infested with them." " xlla.s !" sighed Prudence, her hands tightly grasping the girl's frock, " I fear the largest of them remains behind in the fold ; I shall pray for you, however." Simon grew ]iale with rage, and he was on the point of ()}:)ei!ly u])braiding her for having de- stroyed the p;ick of cards, when Jack of his own ju-cord staitcii oli and left him to get over his anger by pounding his fi^^.t ii gainst the door. Colonel Gone paid no ci.ttention to hijn, but stood with moistened eyes watcliiug the party until the forest hid tlieui from view. He then returned to his place near the hearth, where he remained an 72 ROMANCE OF THE hour or more thinking of his daughter, and won- dering when he would see her again. But Adams at last disturbed his reverie by breaking out into a violent tirade against the laws of Connecticut, declaring that they Avere harsh and ungodly ; and the foolish fellow was not satisfied until he had kicked Mother Garlic's broom into the wood-shed, where it lay for many days un- touched — if indeed it was ever used again. CHAPTER III. The party travelled briskly along the Indian trail, but it was not until they had gone five miles and more that the goodwife began to feel at her ease. Even then, whenever the path ran a little closer to the bank, she would tighten her grasp of Lydia's frock and hold her breath. " There's no danger," the latter would exclaim, " and, besides, if we were to slide down on the river, the ice would not break, it is ever so thick." " You should have been born a man," was the nurse's reply ; " nothing unnerves you." " Make good Indian," muttered Christian, open- ing his lips for the first time since, their departure. Little by little, however, her timidity wore off, and they began to talk about the pleasure they CHARTER OAK. 73 would have in Hartford. Once the conversa- tion was mterrupted by a flock of mallard that were feeding at the mouth of a brook, whose cold spring water, ^vhere it emptied into the Connecticut, had kept a small space unfrozen. The splashing and quacking which the birds" made as they rose into the air, was enough to startle the goodwife, and even Jack pricked up his ears. But with this exception they pursued their way undisturbed ; the Indian occasionally stopping to examine the track of some wild animal, and telling them if it was a I ear or a moose. The forest was silent as death. Once a crow flew over them with a melancholy caw ; at another time a bevy of partridges hopped down from a fallen oak and ran off into a thicket of hazel bushes ; then a hare as white as the snow, leisurely crossed the path, and the creature looked so saucy that the Pequot could not help sending an arrow after it, which however, to Lydia's joy, missed the mark. It was not until they had accomplished what they believed was half the journey that they made a halt; but in less than five minutes Christian urged them to remount he seemed impatient, and turned his eyes anxiously toward the sun. " What matters it if we don't arrive 'till dark," said Lydia, getting on the saddle ; " a blind man (iouldn't miss the way, besides there's a full moon.*' 74 EOMAKCE OF THE! *' It's only a wliim of his," added Mother GaiHcj whose courage had wonderfully revived since she had eaten a slice of bread and bacon. " Tut ! there's no need of such haste." But without heed- ing either of them, Christian assisted the dame on the pilhon, then shouldering again his bag, made Lydia a sign to follow. " There's live hours of daylight yet," thought the latter as she jerked the reins, " but it's as well perhaps to humor him ; he's afoot, and by the time we reach our destination will be more tired than we, and no doubt wants to get early to bed." In a few moments the good wife was chatting again quite pleasantly, and Lydia listening with all the attention of one who had never seen anything of the world. They passed through the village of Windsor, bud. did not stop, although it would have given Prudence and the girl much pleasure to have tarried a little, and conversed with the people. After they had gone a couple of miles beyond the settlement. Mother Garlic, who seemed as if she would never tire of relating anecdotes of her earh' life, found her discourse suddenly inteiTupted by an accident, which might have proved serious, but which happily only caused them a short delay. They had come to a spot where the bank was very low, and where the river had overflowed and frozen upon the trail. Christian turned and cautioned CHARTER OAK. 75 Lydia to go gently ; but it was too late, the horse was already in the middle of the danger, and his hind legs beginning to slip. The nurse screamed, and throwing her arms around the girl's waL-it, pulled her backward. Lydia implored her to let go ; it was useless. She had barely time to stretch out her arms, when down they went. In an instant the Indian was by their side. *' Mercy on me!" cried the goodwife, rising to her feet, " I'll never get on that horrid pillion again." " Let us thank God," said Lydia, " we are not hurt ; in frosty weather bones are easily broken. Poor Jack, good Jack!" and she began stroking the creature's mane. " The brute ought to be whipped for his clumsi- ness !" exclaimed the dame. "No, you couldn't help it, could you?" said Lydia, still caressing the faithful, hard-working animal, who showed not the least disposition to get on its legs again. Presently the Pequot shrugged his shoulders and informed them that the girth was broken. Here now was a predicament ; it would be idle to ask Prudence to ride bareback, and if she per- formed the rest of the journey afoot, they would necessarily make slow progress. But she no sooner discovered what the difficult v was, than she 76 ROMANCE OF THE declared she would rather walk twice the distance than go a hundred paces further on Jack. Ijjdia, however, did not object to mounting without a saddle. Accordingly, after the horse had been led across the ice, she again got on him, and with the deerskin bag in front, went off as gaily as thougii nothing had happened. The Indian could not help smiling at such perfect composure, and as he walked along with the saddle over his shoulder, found it difficult to hide his contempt for Mother (larlic, who was now in the rear, but keep- ing as close as possible to the horse's heels, and muttering to herself : " I do believe there's a special Providence watching over the child. Within the last two years she's fallen in the river twice and got lost in the woods, and yet has al- ways escaped unharmed." Soon her nervousness returned, and every min- ute or two she would glance over her shoulder, as if she feared something were pursuing them. "Be there many bears in these parts?" she ask- ed. The Pequot did not answer. " Yes," said Lydia, " the biggest of them, how- ever, wouldn't harm you." " Oh, dear !" continued Prudence, " I'd not trust one of 'em ; and they can climb trees too !" Christian now placed himself behind her, which somewhat revived her courage, and for the next CHARTER OAK. 77 three or four miles she did not speak a word about wild beasts. At length Lydia noticed Christian in- tently gazing at some object beyond the river. " What see you ?" she asked. " Wolf," the lad replied. Now in this there was nothing to cause alarm, for scarce a day passed that on(3 of these animals was not heard howling in the vicinity of the cabin. "Can we not go faster?" said the good wife ; '* it'll be dark afore I see Charity Crabtree. Dear me! Lord protect us!" and once more she gazed behind her. "Four, five, six!" counted Christian. " Seven, eight, nine ! why, how many there are !" exclaimed Lydia. Here the Indian took another glance at the sun, then at Mother Garlic. Before they had advanced many paces further the number of wolves had greatly increased, until at length there could not have been less than a hundred, and all moving to- wards the river. " Lord have mercy on us !" ejaculated the good- wife, who, since she had discovered what attracted the attention of her companions, had begun pray- ing hard. " Hush ! no noise," said Christian ; " that makes 'em more hungry," 78 ROMANCE OF THE "But I must pray !" slie continued, clasping her hands; " and, Ljdia dear, praj too !" In a few minutes the wolves had reached the op- posite bank and were beginning to cross, taking a direction which would bring them not far behind the travellers. *' Why can't we go faster ?" exclaimed the dame, trying to run. " Hush !'' said Christian, at the same time mak- ing a sign to Lydia to urge on the horse. When the leader of the pack was half-way across, it raised its head, sniffed the air, and sent up a savage howl. At once all the others followed its example, and the noise was so appalling that the goodwife stuffed her fingers in her ears. " Only three miles more," said the Pequot, hop- ing to revive her courage, " and we can do that in an hour." "In less," exclaimed Lydia, "if nurse will only get up behind me." But the dame shook her head — it had been hard enough to ride on the pillion ; bare back was out of the question, even in the pre- sent crisis. " We might tliink those were deviJs after us," the old lady cried. " A herd of swine was once possessed; why not these critters too?" And certainly the unearthly yeUs were enough to make one believe that fiends were in pursuit. The CHARTEK OAK. 79 horse was now inclined to break into a trot, for he scented danger, and it was with difficulty that Ljdia could restrain him. Before the next mile was accomplished the sun touched the horison — which f{»r a moment was visible through a narrow opening in tlic f(Mest — and all three instinctively turned their eves tov.ards it. It was as if they were taking a last look at a friend about to leave them. l)(iwn, down, went the sun ; presently it was gone, and then the shadows began to creep round them apace. " The demons are getting closer," said the good- wife, wringing her hands — -she was now too terri- fied to gaze behind her. About a minute after she had spoken- one of tlie v/olves made its appearance on their right ; it was partly concealed by a fallen pine, and the arrow that was fired at it, glanced- over the tree and then plunged harmlessly into the snow. " What had we best do ?" inquired Lydia, who from her elevated position was able to dis- tinguish more approacliing. The Pequot did not answer ; his own courage was severel}^ tried. At length he halted and told them they must climb a tree. " And be quick !" he added, drawing his tomahawk. Scarcely had he grasped the weapon, when the horse wheeled violently round, and in spite of the efforts of its 80 ROMANCE OF THE brave young rider, dashed off into the forest. Ljdia seized hold of the mane, and with her body bent as low as possible to avoid being torn from her seat by the branches, was in another moment racing for dear life, every wolf in the pack after ber. Christian waited just long enough to see the old maid safe up a cedar, then heedless of his own safety he hastened in the direction which the wild beasts had taken. Their howling guided his steps, and although it was dark he made fair speed. But as the sound grew fainter and fainter, his heart sank within him, for he knew there was very little hope. Indeed, had he stopped to reflect, he would have seen how useless it was to try and overtake the pack; and if he did, would it not only be to find the girl torn in pieces ? At last, when he was about giving up the chase in despair, the report of a gun echoed through the forest. This w^as quickly fol- lowed by another, then there was a deep silence. " She is saved !" he cried, dashing on with in- creased speed. " It's a special Providence ! Sl\e is saved !" After advancing a quarter of a mile further, he stopped and gave a loud call, w Inch was immediately answered by some one not a great distance off. Another hundred yards brought him to a clearing among the pines, where it was com- paratively light, and there he saw a man kneeling CHARTER OAK. 81 over a form which he felt certain was Ljclia, while another stranger stood near, holding a couple of horses by the bridle. In a moment Christian was at the girl's side, and great was his joy to find that she was not only alive, but judging by the cheerful greeting she gave him, very little hurt. Lydia's delight at seeing him again can scarcely be de- scribed, and after expressing wonder at his own escape from death, she inquired after the goodwife. Then, when she heard he had pushed her up a tree, she could no longer restrain herself, and burst into such a hearty laugh that even the stolid Pequot was unable to keep a grave countenance. Presently, turning to the stranger : " I pray you sir," she said, " do not mind my arm ; 'tis only a scratch. My sleeve is badly torn, and that is the worst part of the accident." " Tnie, lady," he replied, " the wound is only skin deep. I fear more for your head, which, although I can find no cut upon it, must neverthe- less have received a great jar. Do you know you were flighty for several minutes after you were thrown from the horse ?" " Indeed ! well I trust I spoke no nonsense ; now let me rise, I think I'm able to stand." With his assistance she got upon her feet, then told Christian that they must lose no time in rejoining Mother Garlic. 82 llOMANCE OF THE "Pd give a trifle to know her name," said the man in charge of th-e horses, and who, from the silence he had thus far preserved, was evidently a servant, "I'd give a trifle to know her name" — these words were spoken in a whisper to Christian. " I never knew a body so brave," he continued, " and only that we discharged our pieces almost in the face of her steed, causing liim to swerve, I do believe she'd have been on his back yet. Pray, who is she ?" " Lydia Garlic," answered the youth gruffly. No sooner did the other stranger hear this than he started, then putting bis mouth close to Lydia's ear : " You gave me another name," he whispered. " Did I ?" exclaimed the girl with a shudder, then lowering her voice, " God forgive me ! Yes my head must have wandered, oh what have I done!" " Well, be careful how you repeat it," he con- tinued, still speaking in a whisper. " If any kin to the regicide, whom they were so many years trying to find, and who was once thought to be concealed in Hartford, keep well the secret, that is, if Goife be still alive. Rest assured, however, that what escaped your lips in an unguarded moment, shall remain as deeply hidden in my breast as if you had never spoken it." CHARTER OAK. 83 For a little wliile Lydia was too overcome to utter a word. And well inigiit she tremble ; already she had placed the safet}^ of her parent in the keep- ing of one, about whom she knew absolutely nothing. On which side might this stranger be? Perhaps he belonged to the King's party. Wliile she was endeavoring to regain her self-possession, her rescuer turned to Christian and asked how far it was to Hartford. "We've had a long day's ride," he said, " and would like to reach the town as soon as possible." " Three or four miles," replied the Indian ; "we too are going there." "Eight glad am I to hear it," pursued the other; " tiien suppose we set off for the tree, up which it seems one of your party has taken refuge, and after that journey on in company. " Yes, and let us make haste," exclaimed Lydia, " or Aunt Garlic will die of fright." " But you surely cannot pretend to walk," said the stranger, addressing her, " we must make a litter, or place you on one of these steeds ; mine, although sjDirited, is a very gentle animal." " Thanks, sir ; I have no broken bones, only a bruise here," re^^hed Lydia, placing her hand on her forehead. " I would rather go afoot." " Then at least take my arm. To this she 84 ROMANCE OF THE agreed, and with Christian leading the way, thej directed their course towards the river. Lydia would fain have made greater speed, but the gallant w^ho had taken her under his charge, was so afraid Jest she might be scratched by another branch, that they proceeded at what might be called a snail's pace. "If this were England," thought Lydia, "I might take him for one of those courtiers my father has so often told me about, who will do any- thing for a lady, even die for her. Certainly there is a fascination in such manners ; and yet we'd get along twice as fast if he'd only let me walk by my- seH." Soon they reached the cedar, on whose stoutest limb the good wife had been perched almost an hour, stiff with cold, yet praying fervently. When she caught sight of them she slid down the tree with the agility of a squirrel, and in a moment was clasping Lydia in her arras, squeezing her so tightly that the girl was half choked. Leaving them to tell each other what had happened since they separated. Christian set about looking for the bag which he knew must have fallen off Jack be- fore he had taken many strides from the river bank. It was soon found. Then placing the saddle which he had been carrying, across one of the stranger's gteeds, he bade Lydia and the goodwife follow him. CHABTER OAK. 85 " And I'm to go with you," said Lydia's escort, again offering her his arm. " Oh ! yes, do !" exclaimed Prudence ; " the wolves ain't so far off but what they may come back. I hope your gun is loaded ? Go in front with Christian." To this, however, he demurred, and much to her chagrin walked on beside the girl. The nurse's ears were wide open, wider, per- haps, for its being night, which hindered her from seeing clearty what manner of man he was ; and no sooner did she catch the fcAV soft words which he spoke to Lydia than she placed herself on the other side of her charge, to the no small risk of her neck, for she was nearest the river and the path wap hardly broad enough for three to walk abreast. They proceeded thus a short distance in silence, and the dame Avas beginning to think he was, after all, on\y some honest fellow out on a hunting tour, and whose conversation, if he had any, would not be disedifying, when she was suddenly roused by Christian waving his hand, and crying, " There's Hartford !" Sure enough, straight ahead, a mile or so away, was a light — in a few minutes the forest came to an end, and they could distinguish many other lights which told them the town was not far off. " And there's the moon," said the stranger, gent- ly pressing Lydia's arm, " welcome, moon 1" 86 liOMANCE OF THE It was just at its full, and as it rose above the hills east of the Couuecticut, every object around became almost as distinct as if it had been da)-. A temptation now seized Lydia which she could not resist, and looking up, she stole a glance at her unknown companion. As she did so, their eyes met. There w^as on his face an expression of won- der and delight. During their progress in the dark, he had pictured her to himself as a plain country maid, with nothing about her to indicate that she was above the class who devote their lives to making butter and cheese. But here was a very different being from what he had imagined, one who might indeed be the daughter of Goffe the regi- cide, who belonged to a good family in England. Never had he beheld a countenance so full of sweet- ness as the one now turned towards him ; at the same time, there was something in it more than beauty — there was character, greatness of soul. Her manner, perhaps, lacked diffidence — she did not hang her head, nor aj^pear confused as he stared at her. But after all this might spring from a guileless spirit. No, had she been bashful he would not have liked her half as well. "Child!" exclaimed the goodvvife, seizing her wrist and examining the cut on her arm, " how did this happen ? Wliy didn't you tell me about it ; ar^ you much hurt?" CHARTIiR OAK. 87 ** Oil, no," replied Lj^dia, trjiiig to free herself from her nurse's grasp ; " it's only a scratch." As she spoke her eyes were still fastened on the stran- ger, who had filled her with a most agreeable sur- prise. He was no common hunter of wolves, like Adams, but a tall, broad-shouldered man of per- haps two and twenty, with a profusion of dark hair, quite unlike the stiff, short-cropped locks of the former. His upper lip was hidden by a mus- tache, while the rest of his face was smooth-shaven, which increased his youthful appearance, and he had one of those open, genial countenances that disarm suspicion, and make friends everywhere ; at the same time he looked as if he had a strong will, and a quick temper. While she was studying him she felt reassured that the important secret, which had so unwittingly escaped her, was safe in his keei3ing. " Who can he be ?" she thought, turning impa- tiently towards the good wife, who still held her by the wrist. The dame appeared troubled. " God grant," she was muttering, " nothing the dear child has heard me tell of my early frolics lias harmed her soul. Her trials have already be- gun ; Satan doth often come in the guise of a hand- some youth." Presently the goodwife fixed he^* eyes on Lydia's escort with a searching look. "Whoever he is," 88 ROMANCE OF THE she continued, " one thing I'm sure of, . he's not much given to exhortation — nor is he innocent of the world. Ah! Lydia, Lydia, beware !" In the meanwhile they were rapidly approaching the settlement, and in half an hour reached the first house. Here the stranger halted, at the same time Lydia withdrew her arm from his. " Fair lady," he said, doffing his hat, " there are in the course of our lives days which we never for- get ; for me this will be one of those days." Then, before she could prevent it, he had seized her hand and was pressing it to his lips. Prudence was too thunderstruck to utter a word ; Lydia, however, retained her presence of mind ad- mirably, and instead of screaming or running away, as her nurse fully expected, she let him hold her hand as long as he pleased, and there was even a roguish smile on her face. •' What honey is to the Bee This is to me," he exclaimed, releasing her, and at the same time making a low obeisance. " Alas ! that we must separate ; but all things have an end. Fair lady, adieu !" " And our saddle," said Christian, " do not carry that oftV The stranger laughed, and declared he had quite forgotten it was upon his horse. " If you wish," said he, " I'll leave it at the CHARTER OAK. 89 house where you're goiug to, if you'll tell me %\liich that, is." The Indian, however, preferred taking the sad- dle himself, for he knew they could not be far from Charity Crabtree's. Accordingly, the servant gave it to him, then obeying a signal from his master, followed the latter rapidly down the single street, which at that time constituted the town of Hartford. " Let us also make haste," said Christian ; we've been long enough going thirty miles." " Yes, nurse, don't stand gazing at the moon," added Lydia, gently pulling the dame's frock. " What has disturbed you ?" " Our bodies," repUed the goodwife, allowing herself to be drawn along, " have been sorely tried to-day, but our souls have been tried more severely still ; I am convinced the forest we have passed through is the haunt of demons." " Well, I have often heard unaccountable noises when I was out gathering wild flowers, or search- ing for bird's nests, and think what you say not improbable ; but since leaving home, I'm sure we've met no devils." At this the dame turned towards Lydia with a mournful shake of the head, but did not reply. After going a few steps further the girl requested Christian to let her have her cloak out o^" the bag. 90 ROMANCE OF THE " Aye," said Prudence, " the night air is keen — v:onder I didn't make jou put it on as soon as I noticed your bare arm. That scratch may grow dangerous if frost gets into it. Alas ! 'twas not your flesh so much as your spirit I was w^orried about." The lad at once untied the bag and handed her a scarlet cloak, one of the many presents which Adams had made her. " This is very becoming to you," pursued thfc goodwife ; " but, child, beware of vanity. Let not strangers make jour acquaintance too easily. A kiss is often the first step to damnation." Then, after a pause : " Child," she continued, " do not; forget your assumed name. As you remarked yourself, a short time ago, when Ave first discussed the matter, and when I admit I had scruples about it. vour parent's life depends on your keeping secret v/ho you really are. These are troublous dajs ; the spies of the King may not have given up all hope of finding him ; and should any shrewd, ill dispos:!d person discover you were the regicide's daughter, that slight clue might be enough, and 'twould not be long before he would be dragged from his hiding-23lace." Lydia shuddered. " God knows," she said to herself, " what may happen ! God knows ! But. no, ho did not look as if he could betray me." CHARTER OAK. 91 Presently the lodiaii asked if a certain liouso standing a little back from the street on their left, was not Miss Crabtree's. "Y(js," replied the dame, "my friend says in her letter that there's half an acre 'tween it and the road, and that there's a tall tree close by, so that must be it." The dwelling towards which they now directed their steps was two stories high, with a garret, the second story projecting about a foot beyond the lower ; while it had five dormer windows, and a peaked roof, which sloped down in the rear until it almost touched the ground. Along the south side of the house ran an immense stone chimney, which at this moment was belching forth into the clear night air a dense volume of smoke, while on the north side, and so close that it almost touched the building, stood a walnut tree, its topmost limbs stretching far over the roof. " What a snug home this must be," thought Lydia, as they stopped in front of the door. Chris- tian's knock did not have to be repeated ; in a mo- ment it opened, and a tall, gaunt female, her head crowned by a gigantic top-knot, and with a nose and chin projecting so far towards each other that they nearly met, appeared on the threshold. Pru- dence- did not immediately recognize her friend; 92 ROMANCE OF THE but this was not strange, when we remember how many years had passed since they had separated. " Be you Charity Crabtree ?" she inquired, speak- ing slowly and with a tone of sadness. " I be, and who on earth are you ? but afore you answer come inside, it's a sliarjp night and you're shivering." The travellers obeyed, and presently found them- selves in a kind of passage way leading into the main room. The Pequot now threw down his load and gave a sigh of relief, Avhile Miss Crabtreo In'ought the lamp she was holding, so close to the good wife's face that she almost scorched her eye- lashes, then began narrowly scrutinizing her. " As I live," she exclaimed, " as I live, if you ain't my schoolmate. Prudence Garlic ! — the companion of all my youthful frolics ; but how you have changed !" Here her voice faltered, and the eyes of both filled with tears. " Aye !" she continued, " 1 ought to have been on the look-out for you ; when Mad Adams says he'll do a thing, he keeps his word. No doubt he guided you here." Then without ask- ing another question she set her light on the floor, and gave her friend such a hearty embrace that the latter was convinced she ]oved her as much as ever. After this demonstration, Miss Crabtree opened a second door, and conducted them into the pripcipal apartment of the house, which occupied almost the CHARTER OAK. 9B wliole of tlie first story, and for comfort surpassetl anything Ijydia bad ever dreamt of. Here she made them sit down on a bench close to a roaring fire, the back log of which was full six feet long, and whose glow lit up even the spider's web in the furthest corner, and rendered superfluous either lamp or candle. Having warmed her hands a mo- ment. Prudence entered into conversation with her friend, who, like herself, had never married ; but they spoke in undertones, so that neither the Pe- quot nor Lydia could distinctly make out what thej said. At length, after Miss Crabtree had given her whole history as well as she could recollect it for the past twenty years, she stopped and waited for the goodwife to begin hers. But the latter shook her head. " No," she whispered, " Do not ask me for mine ; it must remain a secret ; but upon my honor it shall be the only one I will ever keep from you.'* Charity looked surprised, then with a frown said, "It's real unkind, after I'v^e told you everything about myself ; I hate mysteries. Pray who is this girl you have brought with you." " My niece Lydia, smart and God-fearing, and the longer you know her the better you'll like her ; isn't she handsome !" Miss Crabtree shrugged her shoulders and re - mained a minute or two with her eyes fastened on 94 ] ROMANCE OF THE the girl. Gradually the frown passed from hei face, and she said to herself : " Just what mj nephew ought to have to make him happy." Then again addressing Prudence, "And you say she's smart ?" " Ha ! she knows a deal more than I do. Hei father has taught her everything, and she can con- verse about countries that lie ever so far on t'other side of the world. She has, I confess, an odd notion that afore long these Colonies will free themselves from England and become a great, independent Eepublic — and on this she and her father disagree. But you musn't mind her ; 'tw^as Adams, no doubt, put it into her head." "Good, good!" said Charity, rubbing her shrivelled hands ; " your niece and my nephew Joe are of one mind. I do wish he were here ; can't think what keeps him out so late. True, there's been a town-meeting, but that's over these four hours. " 1 hope he will like my niece," whispered Mother Garlic. " But her tresses must be first cut ofi'," pursued Charity, raising her voice ; " they're very pretty, but they're not approved by the church. More- over, Increase Mather is expected afore a greax while, and I want him to form a good opinion of the girl, a thing he'd certaiul}' not do if she wore CHARTER OAK. 95 ringlets. And bless me, if slie l^aHii't got short. sleeves ! Wor=ie and worse ! " While she was speak- ing, the regicide's daughter lial withdrawn her wounded arm a moment from b< -i 'atli tlie cloak and was examining it. " Pardon, said the good wife, " 'twas an accident tore that sleeve off. I haven't told you yet what happened on our journey hither." "No, do, tell ! First, however, let me look ai the girl's arm ; there's blood, upon it." But Lydia, who had overheard the last few words, drew her cloak over it again with an offended air. "Peevish after her tiresome ride," said Miss Crabtree ;" supper will be ready presently, and that will put her in a better humor. Do begin now, and tell your adventure." Accordingly, Prudence cleared her throat and narrated how they had been attacked by wolves — how she herself had been obliged to climb a tree for safety, while her niece's horse, terrified by the savage beasts, had dashed off into the forest, carry- ing the girl wdth him'. She likewise gave full credit to the Pequot for having so bravely rushed after Lydia. Finally, she told how^ her niece had been rescued by a couple of strangers just as the pack were closing round her ; then dropping her voice, she proceeded to relate how the ghl had per^ mitted one of her deliverers — a handsome young 96 ROMANCE OF THE man — to entwine her arm inhis, andliovvthey had thus walked on together as far as the entrance to the town, " where," continued the goodwife, " he made so free as actually to kiss her hand." At this revelation Miss Crabtree's brow contracted. " 'Twas a bold, presuming act," continued the speaker. "Verily it was," exclaimed her friend. "Al- though I did not always think so, I believe now a kiss is often the devil's entering wedge." " Well, Charity dear, I am happy to say she's well grounded in religion, and this first attack of Satan may prove harmless. We were both em- braced more than once at her age. How rosy cheeks do draw the men folks' lips !" "True, and yet we still kept on the way of righteousness, didn't we ? Let us hope 'twill be so in her case." While they were thus conversing, Lydia amused LerseK examining the room, in which she found a great deal to interest her. What she most admired was its size, which appeared ample enough to con- tain the whole of her own little cabin. The win- dows were at least three feet high by two wide, and opened with hinges, while the glass was set in lead lines and diamond-shaped. Then, there was the spacious chimney with its enormous back log, which had been worked into its place with CHAilTER OAK. 97 handspikes. In fact, so deep Avas the fireplace that a couple of benches were fastened to the jambs, and behind the log there was space enough for pussy to lie without danger of scorching. In each corner of the chimney hung a flitch of bacon while along the joists overhead were strings of dried apples, pumpkins, bunches of catnip and the largest ears of corn, which were being kept for next season's planting. Pasted on the wall aboA^e the fireplace, so that while you warmed yourself you could not help noticing it, Avas a broad sheet of paper, dingy and fly-blown, yet in a tolerable state of preserA'ation, considering the length of time it had been there, on which were Avritten King Charles' tweh^e good rules : ' ' Pkofane no Divine OiiDinance, Touch no State Mattei:s. Ubge no Healths. Pick no Quakkels. EXCOUEAGE NO ViCE. Repeat no Gmevances. liEVEAL NO SeCKETS. Maintain no III Opinion. Makk no Comparisons. Keep i.o Bad Company. Make no Long Meals. Lay no Wagees." JustasLydia hadfinisliedrejuling them the serA^ant announced that supper Avas ready, and her appe- tite being keen, she did not lose a moment taking her place at the table. This piece of furniture, by 98 KOMANCE OF THE the way, was the oddest thing in the whole house. It served a double purpose. When the girl had first entered, she had beheld it iu the form of a large. round-backed chair; but now the back, which mov- ed on hinges, was turned over and the chair altered into a table. "Begin, child," said Mother Garhc, placing a whole griddle of Indian cakes upon her plate ; " be- gin, you've fasted and suffered much to-day, and need refreshment." Lydia threw off her cloak, and after saying a short grace, began the meal, while Miss Crab tree stood behind her a moment, gazing at her bare arm, then turning to her friend : " You're right," she whispered, " I can tell by its whiteness that she's been used to wearing long sleeves." During the next quarter of an hour, griddle after gi'iddle passed from the hearth to the table, and two pitchers of milk, half a jar of grape sweet- meats, a cold pumpkin pie, and a loaf of bread dis- appeared, before their appetites were appeased. They then resumed their places on the bench in front of the fire, and Charity again expressed her wonder that her nephew (whose name, by the way, was Joseph Wadsworth,) did not come home. " He never stays long at the tavern," she said ; ** I can't think what keeps him out so Into I know CHARTER OAK. 99 you'll like him," here she turned to Prudence, " he's so God-fearing, so kind to nie, his poor old aunt. I've been keeping house for him now seven years, and during all that time not a cross word has passed between us." " And you say he holds the same opinion as my niece, in regard to the future of the colonies ?" re- marked Goody Garlic, anxious that Lydia should be favorably disposed towards the man under whose roof she was going to sojourn. " Yes, 'tis on his mind day and night, in fact — " here she brought her mouth close to her friend's ear — " 'tis doing him harm ; he's not as cheerful and fond of society as I could wish." Lydia who was now in better mood than before supper, drew close to Miss Crabtree and began listening attentively to every word which dropped from her lips. " Kind and God-fearing," she said, repeating to herself the old aunt's words, *' and a patriot !" At this moment a gust of wind made the. outer doorshake, and as the girl heard it li-er heart throbbed, for she fancied it might be the nephew entering. She longed to lay eyes on him, especially since she had learnt that his faith in the future of their native land was the same as her own. She hoped too that he might prove to be the captivating stranger wlioni she had met in the forest ; and yet 100 KOMANCE OF THE tins was scarcely probable, as the latter had asked Christian how far it was to Hartford, and an in- habitant of the town would hardly haye been so i.;^- norant of his whereabouts. Another hour passed, still Wadsworth did not arrive, and Prudence and Charity continued their conversation in a voice al- ways loud enough for the girl to hear, and she was able to learn a great deal concerning the master of the house. At length, out of one of the corners of the room came the sound of a person snoring, and turning round, Ljdia saw the Pequot curled u]> on the floor like a hedge hog, fast asleep. Goody Garlic also gazed over her shoulder and smilod, then gave a yawn. "Aye," exclaimed Miss Crabtree, "I shouldn't have kept you uj) so late, 'tis ten o'clock and past." Then looking to see what had become of the ser- vant rnaid, she spied that hard-working creature ensconsed in the quaint piece of furniture, which had once more assumed its chair form. Like Christian the drudge was sound asleep. But one good pinch on her fat arm made her open her eyes and cr}^ " Oh !" then emphasizing her words with a stamp of the foot, and a second pinch. Miss Crabtree bade her rise and show the Indian the wa.y to the gajTct. Not many minutes after, Pru- dence and Lydia were f(^llowing Miss Cralitret^ up the staircase, the latter accompanied by an enor CHARTER OAK. 101 inous cat, wliicli had abandoned its snug qnai'ter« beliiiid the back log, rather than let its mistress go out of sight for ever so short a time. "I myself," remarked Charity, "shall preseiiily go below again and await my nephew ; no rest for me until he comes. I'h keep a good fire burn- ing, and as the chimney passes through your room the heat from it wdll take the edge of! the frost." On reaching the second story they turned to the left and entered a spacious chamber, into which the moonbeams were streaming. Part of the fur- niture consisted of an oaken chest, which their hostess informed them had been brought over from England by the first of the Wadsworth family who Lad emigrated. " And I once heard my brother-in-law saj," she added, " that liis father told him it was a century old then." Close by the chest was a chair whose sides and back were full three inches thick, and which looked as if it Vv'as intended to last forev(>r. "I never like to sit in tliat chair," continued Miss Crabtree ; " but perhaps I'm foolish." " AVhy, is it broken or what ?" asked Pnidence. " Broken ! not in the least ; you. couldn't crack it if you let it drop from the top of the house. But you must know, so many have died in it. There's my nephew's father, and his grandfather, 102 ROMANCE OF THE and although I never heard tell, yet I wouldn't wonder if his great-grandfather had breathed his last in it too. It runs in the family to go off unexpected, and they were looking as strong as you or I a minute afore." When Lydia heard this she felt inclined to ask the old maid to hush, and not talk of such awful things at that hour, but Charity's stern expression made her hesitate, and so she said nothing. Next to the wall, and with the chimney running between, were a couj^le of feather beds, with a rusty horse shoe dangling at the head of each. "Those," pursued Charity, lowering her voice to a whisj)er, " are meant to keep off witches, so let 'em be." The old maid next called their attention to a row of jyegs along the whitewashed walJ, on which they might hang their gowns, and also showed them a Bible lying on a table in the middle of the room. Then before bidding them good nigLt, she went out a moment and returned, carrying a pair of shoes with very peaked toes, which was the fashion at that period, and had been ever since Uenry Plantagenet, Duke of Anjou, had worn them thus in order to conceal an excrescence on one of his feet. "You mustn't use moccasins any more," she said, addressing Lydia ; " to-morrow, put these CHARTER OAK. 103 on— they may be a mite too big, but I guess you'll manage to keep 'em from slipping off." Tlie girl frowned an instant, but wisely con eluding that she had better not quarrel with the old maid for such a trifle, promised to do as she was bid. Miss Crab tree now wished them both pleasant dreams, and closing the door withdrew to the apartment below, v/here let us leave her seated in front of the fire, listening to the wind howling and beating against the windows as if it were try- ing to force a way in. The noise of the blast, how- ever, did not shake her nerves ; she was only anxious about Wadsworth, and with a jug of cider, and a plate of walnuts at her elbow, she whiled away the hours pleasantly enough, wondering what on earth could keep her nephew out so late. It was nearly midnight, and he had never done this bfifora CHAPTER lY. Next morning, Ljdia was awakened by the ring- ing of a bell in the street. The sound seemed to pass the house twice ; and between the first and the second time, she heard Miss Crabtree's foot- steps descending the staircase. Goody Garlic, however, continued to snore ; and as the dim light 104 EOilANCE OF THE whicli ci-ei)t in tlirougli the dorinor window showed that day was only just brealdug, Lydia did not wake her, and having no household duties to per- form, determined to remain a while longer herself in her comfortable bed. Presently her thoughts flew to her home in the forest, and she prayed God to keep her father safe during her absence. Fond as she was of poor Jack, she almost wished he might not have succeeded in escaping from the wolves, for if the old gentleman were to see the nag arrive alone and without a saddle, it would give him a shock from whicli he might never recover. Soon, a loud roaring in the chimney warned her that the lire was lit, and after listening to it a< few ujinutes she got u]), unable to bear the idea of others being at work, and hersLlf doing nothing. While she was putting on her gown, Prudence opened her eyes, and Avitli a 3'awn, exclaimed : " We're guests, child, and can take things easy ; pray lie still .until you're called." This remonstrance proved of no avail ; Lydia was too thoroughly aroused to think of getting into bed again, and the chilly atmosphere of the room only hastened her movements. When she ap- peared below, her hostess greeted her with a warmth which idmost took the breath away h'om the servant nudd, who had always associated her mistress with frowns and pinches, and the drudge CHARTER OAK. 105 could scarcely believe her eyes. The smile of Charity Crabtree was a thing not soon to be for- g-otten. AVitli Ljdia's right liand grasped in both of lu^rs, the danio's nose and chin for a moment parted c<)m]>any — tlii> hi-nad monl h <)]')0!ied wider and wider, until you s iw n :)ihing hut a set of jagged teeth while hvv LO],-]:n(>t. moved backwards and forwards, as it it VN-ere trying to s.iy, " How d'ye do." What especially pleased tlie old maid, Avas to find the girl in long sleeves, for Lydia had put on another dress, and accordingly she dismissed to a future occasion, the lecture which she had intended giving, on the sinfuliiess of wearing curls. Perhaps, if Cha- rity's heart could have been laid bare to mortal eye, it would have been discovered, that her horror of long hair was pretty evenly balanced, in Lydia's case, by a desire that her nephew should see his young guest before she was deprived of these orna- ments. " Y' s," she said to herself, "they may be sinful yet ihey do increase her charms. If she's on.; half what Prudence makes her out to be, Joe mubi marry her ; she's exactly what he needs to make him happy." Then patting the girl's shoulder, she inquired if she had passed a pleasant night, adding that it had been the coldest of the season, and that five of her chickens had fi'ozen to death on the roost. 106 BOMANCE OF THE " Oh, liow could I have been otherwise than comfortable," returned Lydia, " buried so deep in feathers. I doubt if I'd have oj)ened my eyes near as soon as I did, if a bell in the street hadn't roused me." " Humph ! I'm sorry you were disturbed, Miss ; and yet I think you'll agree, that the law which was passed at town meeting, some years ago, and which ordaineth that every morning, about daybreak, the w^atch shall ring a bell all the way from Wyllys' Hill to the other end of the town, was a good one." Lydia smiled, then asked how many obeyed the law. " How many ? well, a quarter of au hour after you hear it, there's not a dwelUng in Hartford but what has a light burning. If not, then one shilling and sixpence forfeit to him who finds out the lazy body, and sixpence to the town." Lydia having now sufficiently warmed her hands at the fire, offered to assist in the household duties. But Miss Crabtree, while gratified by such evidence of an industrious spirit, shook her head and bade her go sit on one of the benches in the chimney, adding that her visit was to be a complete holiday. Accordingly Lydia withdrew to the cozy nook, to- wards which the dame's finger was pointing, and resting ]ier feet on the end of the back log, peered into the sooty cavern over her head. Presently CHARTER OAK. 107 she uttered an exclamation of wonder. Deep in the chimney appeared a bright object, which at first, she thought was a spark ; but it did not move, what could it be ? " A chimney like this," thought Lydia, "is the very place for a witch to hide in ; might not that be her eye winking at me ?" " My nephew," said Charity, just as a puff of smoke hid the bright object from Adew, " is exceed- ingly fond of sitting where you are ; and often he'll not open his lips the whole evening, but keep gaz- ing at the stars, then at the burning coals, thinking dear knows of Avhat — a strange, strange man ! yet he's more than good, he's perfection itself." Lydia laughed a moment at her folly in having mistaken a star for a witch's eye, then asked at what hour Mr. WadsAVorth had come home. "Past midnight. Miss Garlic, that's why he's late this morning ; Joe is usually down afore me. In fact, he's the only man I ever knew that was willing to help along, and not leave every thing to the women folks." Lydia smiled ; this remark put her in mind of what Prudence had said, the morning when xldams had been so tardy making his appearance. " But besides being an early riser, and a most kind-hearted fellow, he's a genius. He can, when he devotes himself to his farm, plough 108 • ROMANCE OF THE more laud in a day than any other man in Hart- ford; he can shoe a hoise ; drill the lads into soldiers ; and he can exhort. But, wliat's bet- ter yet, at a pinch he can bake bread." These last words Avere spoken with intense energy. " Then, too, he's a scholar. Why, Miss, you aiu't ..oen half this house yet. There's a room in it, v^■here there's nothing but books ; and to tell the truth, that's the only place I'm not allowed to penetrate. I did get in once, however, a few weeks ago, and succeeded in dusting and putting things almost to rights, when Joe arrived with his friend Adams, and caught me. 'Twas the only time I ever saw my nephew vexed. He said nothing, however^ except that it would take him a month to find his pens and sealing wax. But when I opened a drawer, and showed 'em to him all nicely stowed away in a pasteboard box, he had to laugh. Isn't it queer how men hate tidiness ! Even my Joe, with all his good qualities, would stay a hundred years in that room, without having it swept and put in order." While she was talking. Miss Crabtree's eyes were fixed on an Indian cake, placed amongst tlie embers, and which seemed to be almost baked. Suddenly she smoothed her apron down, and whis- pered ; '• He's coming." At that moment Lydia heard footsteps on the staircase, and leaving her CHARTER OAK. 109 seat, hastened to place herself besiele the old maid. The master of the house descended briskly, rub- bing his hands as if he felt the keen air of the up- per story, and when he reached the bottom of the steps, was about advancing towards the fireplace, when he caught sight of the girl, and halted. He was of medium height, perhaps twenty-eight or thh'ty years of age, with broad shoulders, and a thin, care-worn face, which now, as Lydia surveyed him, bore a look of astonishment not unmingied with displeasure. His heavy eyebrows lowered over eyes fall of dark fire, which seemed yet dark- er from the uncommon depth at which they were set in his head. His features were harsh. But while the girl's eyes were fastened on him they changed, and became softened by a look of melan- choly. He wore a moustache and a pointed beard, and except for his hair, which was trimmed., evenly in fi-ont, after the fashion of the Puritans, and covered more than half his forehead like a skull cap, while behind it fell in thick clusters, he might have been considered handsome. To give it this sliape a cap, and sometimes a large boAvl was' used, and every lock which in front fell below the rim, was clipped off by the scissors. " A very different person from the lively stranger who saved me from tlio wolves," thought Lj'dia, as she steadily returned Wads-.vorth": ,.1:^ >. M:-ve"- 110 ROMANCE OF THE theless she recognized in liim no ordinary mortal, one whose spirit would be content to follow along the beaten ways of life. Pride — ambition — rest- lessness, daring ; all these were stamped upon his countenance. Close at his heels followed a dog with shaggy, yellow hair, and which belonged to the Shepherd's breed. The creature stopped an instant when its master did, then wagging its tail rushed forward and buried its head in the folds of Lydia's dress. The girl smiled, and stroked its back, which act of kindness seemed to drive the dog wild with delight, and jumping upon its hind legs it placed its paws against her breast, then gave a succession of sharp, joyous barks. Miss Crab- tree looked on, evidently not at all pleased, and pre- sently seizing the brute by the ear, she pulled it down, then introduced Lydia to her nephew, tell- ing him that the girl was the niece of her friend, Prudence Garlic, who, with lis conj;ent had been invited to pass a short while witii thorn. Lydia immediately offered her hand, and there was some- thing, so simple and frank in her manner, that Wadsworth's sternness for a moment relaxed, and stretching out his own, he gave hers a cordial shake, to the great delight of his aunt, who could scarcely believe her senses. At the same time he asked if she were fond of dogs. "Very, sir," responded Lydia." CHARTEE OAK. Ill **Well, Miss, thej^'re wonderful company. Miles Standisli is called my shadow ; wherever I go he goes." Here his aunt's top -knot gave a sudden jerk, and her brows knit, for be it known the dog and she were not on the best of terms. When her back was turned. Miles had too often stolen choice morsels from the table, and had no respect for her cat. But especially did she dishke him, from a rooted conviction, that her nephew would never take to himself a wife, so long as this shadow kept him company. " A comely maiden lawfully joined in wedlock," she muttered, turning away, " would be far better to have with you than a dumb brute." Wadsworth now advanced the strange opinion that Miles had a soul. " O fie !" said Charity, again facing him, " don't talk in such a way afore your guests." "Well, how do you know the dog has not ?" said Lydia ; " mam^ things are true, which books do not teach." No sooner had she uttered these words, than Wadsworth's countenance brightened ; you might have thought he had made some great discovery. Here was indeed a young woman different from any he had ever met before, one who did not fol- low in the beaten track, and whom he might — yes, 112 ROMANCE OF THE whom he might get to love and — . But no, that never could be ; there was an obstacle in his way, which although created by himself, he was power- less to remove, without incurring the wrath of the Almighty ; and the feeling with which, at this moment, he viewed Lydia, was only a passing weakness. Presently his strong will came to the rescue, and the harsh look again clouded his visage. But Charity was satisfied with the pro- gress already made ; better slow than not at all, and slappinghimon the back ; "That's right, Joe," she exclaimed, " be your old self again." Presently Goody Garhc made her appearance, and although Wads worth gave her a rather dis- tant welcome, he assured her that as a friend of his aunt, nothinoj would be left undone to make her visit to Hartford as pleasant as possible. The servant now placed a griddle of cakes upon the table, and Miles Standish's nose was immedi- ately pointed towards them ; while so eager was his gaze that Lydia took one of them in her fingers, and holding it high in the air made the dog jump and catch it. Wadsworth smiled, but Charity bit her lip and clutched her apron, as if she were going to tear it off — it seemed too bad this new comer should make so free, and take such a liking for the hateful beast. Her dis- pleasure was about breaking foitli in words, when CHAllTER OAK. 113 Wadswortli taking tlie Bible from a shelf, tapped it with his knuckle and gave the signal for prayers. At once she folded her arms and bowed her head ; the others followed her example, and for the next five minutes nothing was heard but her nephew's deep and solemn voice. At the end of that time, Miles grew impatient ; one mouthful had only whetted his appetite, and he began thumpmg his tail on the floor and whining. Lydia could not resist this appeal ; so slyly taking another cake from the platter, she let it drop between his jaws, which came together with a sound very like the click of a steel-trap. Miss Crabtree shud- dered ; what would her nephew think of such con- duct ? Could he pass it over unnoticed? Impos- sible ! Fancy then her astonishment, when pres- sently he closed the book, and took his seat at the table as quietly as if nothing had happened. . " Alas !" she sighed, " the girl has odd ways. Ifc may be the devil has got into her ; if so, he must be got out, or she'll never do for Joe's wife. But Joe ! what has come over him, that he is so lenient ?" Prudence was hardly less astonished than her friend, at the girl's behavior. At home Lydia had always conducted herself properly, and the dame could only account for this sudden change, by sup- posing that she had not yet recovered from tha 114 ROMANCE or THE excitement of the perilous journey down the river. During the meal vvliicli followed, Miss Crabtree kept her eyes pretty busy, watching first Lydia, then her nephew, who did not eat quite so much as usual. He seemed anxious that his young guest should taste of everything ; and his attentions resulted in forming about her plate a semi-circle of cakes, maple syrup, honey, sweetmeats, etc. " Curls are wonderful things for touching a man's heart," thought the aunt. " Perhaps I was wrong- to judge hastily ; she may after all be a God-fearing maiden." Whether or no she was right in supposing that her nephew was growing bewitched by Lydia's tresses, certain it is that his own locks did not in- spire the girl with any corresponding admiration. Mad Adams had always Avorn his in the same homely style ; but then he was born an ugly fellow, whereas Wadsworth was a man of naturally fine presence, whom the stern spirit of the age seemed bent on deforming. The meal was nearly finished before Miss Crabtree spoke. " Joe," she said, " when you came home last night, I was so drowsy I forgot to ask what had kept you out so late. Any thing gone wrong with the train-band to require your presence, or were 3^ou visiting some neighbors ?" " No, aunt," he replied, " there are never any CHAllTER OAK. 115 brawls among my soldiers ; and as for visiting, you know I'm not given to that." Here the good- woman shook her head and sighed. " But if you wish I'll tell what detained me. xlbout eight o'clock I dropped in at the ' Bunch of Grapes/ to learn whether our friend xldams had got back yet from his mysterious expedition. I call it myste- rious, for nobody but myself and 3'ou know his errand, and even I am ignorant of the direction he took. Well, as we were conversing about him, two strangers entered ; one, who was much younger than the other, wore the King's uniform concealed under a deer-skin coat, and had a very command- ing air. His companion, an ill-looking fellow, I judged to be his servant. After whispering a word to the person who keeps the Ordinary during Simon's absence, the younger of the two left, with- out, to my surprise, so much as taking a glass of wine, although he looked cold. After he had gone, several of the town folks began to nod and wink at each other, and presently the stranger who re- mained, was invited to try some of the old rum for which our tavern is famous. At first he refused, but being piessed, consented that the company should drink his health. Well, you know, aunt, the first step is always the difficult one ; after that, all comes easy enough. No sooner had he emptied his goblet than he invited us to drink with him ; 116 ROMANCE OF THE we accepted, and in a fcAv minutes the tongue of the unknown was k:)Osed, and he began talking of things which he had better have kept secret. We discovered that he had only left Boston a few days ago, where, he said. Sir Edmund Andros w^as ruling with a high hand. At this, one of the company declared the new Governor Avould live to rue it ; whereat the stranger grew profane, and said he hoped the King would look after Connecticut ere long. This remark led to a sharp retort from one of my train-band^ and a brawl seemed imminent, but I stepjjed between, and put a stop to the diffi- culty. You see my object was to let the fellow talk on and give us as much information as possible, for we have had no news from Boston since last month. Believing that I was on his side, the stranger finished his drink, then went on telling us that our Charter would soon be taken away, and closed by expressing a hope that the regicide Goffe would yet be found and brought to the gallows." At these words Lydia turned deadly pale, but the old maids did not notice her ; they w^ere look- ing at Wads worth. " I now asked him," pursued the speaker, " what Jiad brought him to Hartford, but he would not answer, nor could he be induced to reveal anything further regarding himself ; and I came away, con- I CHARTED OAK. 117 viiiced that some evil was brewing. 'Tis time for us to be on the alert." " May the Lord spare poor Connecticut !" ex- claimed Charity'. " Amen," responded Goodv Garlic. "Well, for m J part," continued Wads wortlj, "I hope she mcij feel the heel of the oppressor. The people will then open their eyes and see their destiny !" These words struck Lydia as being almost the same which Adams had used when he had first an- nounced the arrival of Andros, and she felt con- vinced that it was her host wdio had moulded his opinions and infused into him so much patriotism. Her heart throbbed, too, to think of what she might witness if she remained long enough in Hartford ; at the same time she could not rid her- self of- a vague sense of dread — the stranger who had kissed her hand, was no doubt the same who had entered the tavern for a moment while Wads- worth was there. Cotild she trust him ? "His face haunts me," she said to herself; "I almost wish we had not met. But he will not di- vulge my secret ; oh no, he will not !" Just then the door flew open, and all out of breath, as if he had been running liard, appeared Simon Adams. No sooner did he behold Lydia and the goodwife, than he threw up his hands and 118 ROMANCE OF THE stood as if rooted to the threshold, without uttering a syllable. Presently recovering his breath, and advancing towards them : " The Lord be praised !" he exclaimed ; " the Lord be praised !" Wadsworth, who had not yet heard of his guests' adventure with the wolves, was of course puzzled by such conduct, and ordered him to explain him- self. The honest fellow nodded, and having shaken hands with Prudence and the girl, went on to re- late how, towards the middle of the past night, old Jack had returned home without his saddle and looking as if some Avitch had been riding him. " I wouldn't have told your father a word about it," he said, addressiiig Lydia ; " but the horse neighed so loud that the old gentleman awoke, and by the light of the moon saw the animal pawing at the stable door. Oli dt3ar ! but it almost killed him ; and I felt awful bad, too, for I guessed something dreadful had happened. Well, at once I put the nag in the stable, then taking my riHe, and plenty of powder and bullets, started off on your trail. I hardly thought Indians had attacked you, for they've been quite peaceable of late. ] guessed it was Avolves." " Kiglit," interrupted the goodwife, " and only a merciful Providence saved us." " Well, I've been running and hallooing the CHARTER OAK. 119 whole thirty miles down the river, and if ever there was a tired man, I'm one. But the Lord be thank- ed, you're both safe and sound, and under the best roof in Connecticut." "You did, indeed, have an adventure," said Wadsworth ; " if the savages had carried you ojfif, Adams would have pursued them until he dropped dead. He's the truest of friends. But, pray Miss," turning towards Lydia, " give me some account of what happened to you and your aunt." Here Charity nudged her friend with her elbow. "There's not much to relate, sir," responded Lydia, slightly blushing ; " w^e w^ere attacked by wolves, as Simon supposed, and while aunt climbed a tree for safety, I was carried off by my horse, and would have been overtaken and devoured by the wild beasts, had not two strangers suddenly ap- peared and discharged their guns at the pack, ti^us saving my hfe. But the flash and the noise caused Jack to swerve, and I fell to the ground, without, however, sustaining any great injury. These stran- gers afterwards accompanied us as far as the town." " Indeed ! Well, mayhap, these were the same I saw at the ' Bunch of Grapes ;' in which case I forgive that impudent varlet much that he said about New England." Here Wadsworth rose and lit his pipe, while Adams took the seat which he had left, and began devouring the remains of the 120 KOMANCE OF THE breakfast with a voracity quite peculiar to himself, and ill five rainutes all tliat was oii the table had disappeared. " I hope you will not return to the log cabin with a fresh pack of cards in your pocket," exclaimed Mother Garlic, whose soul was ever ready to warn other souls, and who thought this a favorable opportunity to lecture the Publican. " It is a pity Mr. Wadsworth cannot teach you a little godliness." This remark was answered by a mute but expressive appeal. The dame, how- ever, saw her advantage ; she was not going to be softened by Adams' rolhng eyes, and she was about following up her attack when Lydia pulled her sleeve. " Why, nurse," whispered the girl, " ought father to be deprived of the only amusement he can enjoy until we return ? Do let Simon bring him another pack. I will not believe that what my parent does is sinful." At these words the goodwife pushed back her chair an inch or two and clasped her hands. Could she believe her ears? was this the same Lydia who had so lately refused the tavern keeper's sinful gift ? who but Beelzebub could have wrought such a change ? Alas ! she was not able to understand the powerful infliK^nce which the heart, even in matters of religion, exerts over uSj CHAllTEll OAK. 121 and Low much the girFs scrupkis had been over- come by love for her father. Lydia, on her part, reahzed as she had never done before, that the way to Zion is often made by foohsh mortals, rougher and more tortuous than God mtended it to be, and she gazed at W^adsworth, hoping that he would say something to excuse Adams. Presently the former took his pipe from his mouth, and after blowing a wreath of smoke towards the beams overhead : " I'm sure," said he, " that my friend and com- panion in many an Indian fight would not jeopar- dize his salvation by doing what the church, speak- ing through the civil law, lias forbidden. He would no more play cards than hang himself." At these words the culprit's ears tingled, while his eyes fastened on his empty platter. He was evidently much embarrassed. Prudence, on the contrary, sat erect in her chair ; her head was thrown slightly back she looked the very picture of triumph. " Adams," she exclaimed, in a jubilant voice, and pointing at him her long, bony fore-finger, " Pve got you in a corner now ; confess that you're a sinner." The poor fellow surveyed her an instant with 6-ach a supplicating expression, that Miss Crabtroe had to laugh. But Lydia's eyes flashed. She 122 ROMANCE OF THE said nothing however, but deeply regretted to find Wadsworth as strict on the subject of amusements as her nurse. Had his mind, so strong and origi- nal, bowed down before the bigotry of the age ? For the next minute there was silence. The good wife was meditating whether she had better push matters to extremes, and thus, perhaps, bring about a reformation in Simon's conduct, while the latter was racking his brains to discover some way of getting out of the scrape. For once Lydia's boldness forsook her ; she hesitated to tell her host what she thought. At length, as if he had read what was passing through her mind, Wadsworth took his pipe from his mouth and in a solemn voice : "We must," said he, "obey the laws, which the Church approves, or else — eternal damnation" and the emphasis placed on the last two words sent a shudder through every person in the room. Simon now jumped up from his seat and was hastening towards the door when Prudence stopped him. " Mr. Wadsworth," she exclaimed, " I want you to ask this stray sheep, whether or no he brought a pack of cards to my house a few days ago." Wadsworth stared at her a moment, then turn- ing to his friend and lowerioa: his shaggy eye- brows : CHARTER OAK. 123 *« Did you?" lie said. " Not one word of truth in the whole story," re- sponded Adams ; " and you know captain, I wouldn't tell a falsehood." " Then let me hear no more about it," continued Wadsworth impatiently, for he regretted to think that either Simon or his guest must be telling a He. Here the matter dropped, but the expression on Goody Garlic's face as the tavern-keeper continued his way to the door, was indescribable ; it was now his turn to look triumphant. " Oh, Simon, Simon !" she muttered, " what joy you have given Beelzebub, this day." Adams remained outside only a few minutes, then thrust in his head and beckoned to Wads- worth, who immediately joined him in front of the house. " I've something important to communicate," he began, as sooa as the door was closed, and after looking around to satisfy himself that nobody was listening : " It is this — Lydia Garlic isn't the real name of that girl inside, nor is she any kin to the woman who came with her last evening. Her mo- ther died many years ago, and she lives with her father in a small cabin, a day's journey up the river. She takes care of him and nurses him as if lie were a child, for he is advanced in years and quite l'>4 ROMANCE OF THE infirm. At this hour there's not a sonl with the okl gentleman, and that's Avhy I want to hurry back. The girl, depend upon it, won't be willing to tarrv long in Hartford; and it's to consult you about her that I've called you out. Suppose noAv you give me leave to bring the old man to live witli you ; you are w^ell off, you wouldn't feel the ex- pense ; whereas he's poor, and it'll make his daugh- ter love you io the end of her vdays. Ah, captain, he'll be a lucky fellow that wins her heart." " But you haven't yet told me who she is." "No, I'm coming to it presently; it's a secret shared only by Prudence and myself, unless one old maid has told it to the other." " Well, well, who is she ?" " The daughter of Goffe, the regicide ! ' respond- ed Adams, lowering his voice. "No! the soldier who fought so bravely under Cromwell V" " Yes ; and if the veteran has a noble spirit hi^^ child is worthy of him. Why, you might ride from here to Boston, from Narragansett Bay back to the last settlement in the wilderness, and not find her equal. But I need not stop to recount her virtues. Wluni I was planning with myself to have her brought here, I went over thorn all to yoii. Ha ! Ha ! you didn't suspect then it was Gofie's daughter I was praising." CHARTER OAK. 125 " And didn't her father come to Hartford seven or eiglit years ago and remain hidden in Captain Bnir:-? house the summer I was avray visiting UiV rehxtives in New Haven?" " He did, and I helped him escape, when Andros, who, as you remember, was at that time Governor of New York, formed a plan to kidnap him." " But \y\ij did you wait so long before telling me about Goife ? 3^ou knew my admiration for him." " Because, sir, the time hadn't arrived. Noav Miss Lydia is in her Ijloom, and I hope my patience will be rewarded ; the flower is ready for you to pick." During the next minute Wadsworth was silent, not a muscle of his face moved, and his eyes wan- dered off to the belfry of the meeting-house. " If you are a bachelor three months hence, my name isn't Simon Adams," pursued the honest fel- low. Still Wadsworth's lips remained closed, his gaze kept fixed on the belfry. " Well, I say, captain, isn't she beautiful ? Do speak." " She is — but — ." Here Wadsworth, unlike him- self, hesitated. *'But what?" cried Adams, "you are thinking of her curls. Bah ! that's what I was afraid of. However, they shall not stand in your w^ay ; her 126 KOMAN<^E OF THE tresses shall be cut off. Captain, will that satisfy you?" Another minute passed without the chief of the train-band opening his lips ; he seemed to be struggling with himself. " Yes," he said at length, " you may bring her father here. I will do all I can to make him happy ; and by Jehovah, Andros shall never take him away." At this, Simon rubbed his hands, then com- menced to laugh and dance ; nor did he stop his capers until he saw Wads worth frowning. He then became quiet and without pressing him further to tell how he liked Lydia, informed him that he would hasten back immediately with the good tidings to Colonel Goffe. " 'Twill be a joyful surprise to Miss Lydia," he whispered, as they re-entered the house. " I'm thinking of the parent, not of the daugliter, responded Wadsworth, for the first time in his life telling what was not altogether the truth. His friend looked at him in wonder. " Folks call me mad," said Adams ; " but you're the mad one, not I." It was enough to excite his anger, that a person whom he had known so long and held in such es- teem — the richest man in Hartford, well educated, and possessing so much influence among his fellow CHAUTEli OAK. 127 citizens — slioukl have lived ou till liis thirtieth year without a wife. How much pkasanter the Wadsworth mansion would become if a woman like Ljdia could take the place of Charity Crab tree, who had always seemed to Adams more than half witch. The young folks would then visit it again and make it cheerful, whereas now it was the most ghostly dwelling in town, and he had sometimes felt afraid to go up into the garret by himself. So out of humor was he with Wadsworth's indifference about the girl, that he did not even fill his pipe, but hastily ordering Christian to accompany him, left the house without even saying good-bye. Lydia could not believe he would return to her home without letting her know, and when she dis- covered from the goodwife that he had indeed de- parted, she hastened to the door but it was too late, he and the Indian were already out of sight. When she again took her seat by the fire, her host drew near and resting his elbow on the mantel- piece, began examining her narrowly. He looked at her hand, which was stroking Miles' head, then at her foot, which, for an instant, she had withdrawn from the shoe, then at her golden ringlets. But what he admired most was her dimpled chin. Gradually the sternness passed from his face, and when the girl glanced at him he smiled. Miss Crabtree immediately winked at Goody Garlic ; 128 homance ojf thl Goody Garlic winked back at Charity, and the hitter, phiciiig her mouth ck).se to her friend's ear, whisj)ered : " It's a coming !" CHAPTEE V. The day was too clear and beautiful to remain in doors, so after Lydia had caressed Miles until the creature was tired of wagging its tail, she pro- posed to Goody Garlic that they should go out for a stroll. The girl remembered very little of the town, for when she had been here before she was only entering her teens, and besides, she had re- mained but a few months, while Mrs. Bull, in whose house the regicide had been concealed, had not allowed her a great deal of liberty the good woman fearing lest she might speak indiscreetly about her father to other girls. Now it happened that Wadsworth, just as Lydia spoke, had been on the point of inviting her to go out with him. But it was not his intention to walk ; he meant to take her behind him on a pillion, and thus show hei all that was to be seen, unaccompanied by Pru- dence or his aunt. It is more than likely, however, lie would have missed the pleasantest jaimt he ever took in his life, had not Charity, who was a shrewd far-seeing woman, already Avhispered to her friend k CHARTEIJ OAK. 129 tliat the girl would no doubt want to go out soon, and if she did, her nephew and she must go alone. Never till now had Prudence used deceit with Lydia, but this time she certainly fibbed, when placing her hand on her brow she declared that she had a headache and could not accompany her. " Come with me. Miss," exclaimed the captain, taking his elbow from the mantel-piece, and as he did so the elog began frisking about. " I will be your guide ; I have a trusty nag and a saddle that can carry us both." Without hesitating, Lydia accepted the invita- tion, and as she flew up stairs for her cloak and hood ; Miss Crabtree gave her friend another wink, and at the same time declared the latter must take a dose of camomile tea. Wadsworth likewise sought his own apartment, having first given orders to have his horse ready in ten minutes. When he re-ap- peared, he was dressed in his very best suit. His pointed shoes were quite, new, and ornamented with brass buckles ; his cloth coat, which fell be- low his knees, was fastened with hooks and eyes j while around his neck he wore a linen band, pre- pared with wire and starch, so as to make it stand out horizontally, and tied with a yellow cord and tassel. His beaver hat, Avith an exceedingly broad brim, was shaped like a steeple, and lastly, he wore a watch, a rare thing in those days, and only four 130 ROMANCE OF THE of tlie geutlemeu of Hartford, besides himselfj could boast of one. As soon as Lydia beheld him in the fashionable rig of the Seventeeth century, she with difficulty refrained from laughing, and thought he had looked much better in his deer-skin jacket and high-top boots. Presently a servant announced that the horse was at the door, and Wadsworth, taking a hazle switch from the top of the cupboard, made her a sign to follow. But when he reached the threshold lie stopped, while she passed out, and began stroking the animal's long mane and rul)bing its nose. The steed was of a chestnut coloi', with small sharp-pointed ears, high shoulders and very broad forehead, indicating gentleness and sagacit3^ " I'm glad you like him," said Wadsworth smiling. " Oh, very much, sir ; pray what is his name." "Puritan. lie belongs to the Narragansett breed, which is exceedingly fast and enduring, and I never can be too grateful to those citizens of Ehode Island, John Hull, Mr. Brenton, and Bene- dict Arnold, who twenty years ago, inclosed Point Judith Neck, and devoted their time to raising there a superior race of horses. Puritan is the fruit of their enterprise.' * In another moment they were on the animal's back, and moving across the snow-covered lawn be- tween the house and the street, while more than one 'urigiu of NaiTiigansctt pacer. Archseologia Ameiicaiia, iii.,p. 138. CHAET2R OAK. 131 pair of eyes were already turned upon tliem from the opposite side of the way, for it was a novel sight, the Captain of the train-band riding in front of a blooming maiden. " Nothing like a pillion for courting," exclaimed Charity, when they were out of earshot. " But them curls ! Oh dear, what scandal they'll give !" " Yet they look mighty pretty fluttering in the wind," said dame Garlic. " I almost wish she might keep them." " 'Tween you and me, I wish it too, as far as Joe*s concerned," returned the other. "But we must obey the Church." Here we will leave the old maids awhile, and follow Wads worth and his fair companion. Entering Main street, the captain turned his horse to the left, and proceeded at a gentle pace towards the southern extremity of the town, which was a mile distant, while Lydia sur- veyed the scene around her with the greatest inter- (jst and delight. The place had changed a great deal since she had last seen it in 1G80. The houses were many of them new, and the open spaces which separated one from the other, instead of be- ing bare as formerly, were planted with apple trees, whose trunks were now wrapped in straw to protect them from frost. The girl noticed, too, that while many of the dwellings were thatched like her own cabin, not a few had tile and shingle roofs ; and the 132 ROMANCE OF THE second stories of these, the more pretentious edi- fices, projected a foot or more beyond the lower, while all had windows with diamond-sha2)ed glass. Owing, perhaps, to the lovely weather, Hartford presented this morning a more than usually ani- mated appearance. Every one of its twelve hun- dred inhabitants- seemed to have come forth to enjoy the blue sky and delightful sunshine. Here stood a granny, with scissors in hand, carefully ad- justing a hollow pumpkin over the head of her grandchild, whose locks she was about to trim, while at her side was another crone telling the gos- sip, or discussing the minister's last sermon. Not far off was a group of men, smoking their pipes, and wondering what Sir Edmund Andros would do next some thought he might attempt to take away the charter of the colony by force ; others dissented from this opinion. Farther on was a bevy of girls in scarlet cloaks, and plain, sombre- colored hoods, unadorned by ribbon or ornament of any kind, and without any curls stealing down their shoulders. They Avere laughing and chatting, however, quite as much as those of their age and sex do now-a-days, and criticizing full as unmerci- fully awkward Tom and laidiy Dick. But besides being plainly dressed, they differed in one other respect from maidens of the present generation , *Tliis was the population in 1G87. CHAR I Ell OAK. 133 tliey Avcre inorc plump and rosy. As Wadswortli and liis companion rode by tlic two crones, the latter ceased gossiping, and wliile tliey dropped a curtsy, opened their eyes as wide as saucers and stared in utter amazement. The men did the same, and so did all the other women, while such as had daughters of a marriageable age, were not alto- gether pleased. But the general opinion amongst the men was, that the captain would be all the better if he took a wife. True, it would add nought to his popularity. No one could dislike a man who made such generous use of his worldly goods, who, while he preserved his dignity on all occasions, never slighted anybody, and who, although fond of political discussion, and from his extensive reading certain to come off victorious, never hurt the feel- ings of an opponent ; still, for the past few years, Wadswortli had closed his house to all except Adams, and had not attended a single " husking" party or " Bee ," and it was only at town meet- ings, and on drill days, that he emerged from his seclusion. But if the men and women stared as^ the captain and L^^dia rode by, it was when the happv couple passed the heYj of lasses, that there was the greatest commotion and fluttering of hearts. Faith Genness, a qui<3t, rather timid girl, bit her lip until the blood came, \vhile Dorothy 134 Ro:\rANCE of thk Pliilbiick declared that slie had never been so scandahzed before. " Curls ! — and such sinful ones too — Oh dear !" Faith, who was the youngest of them, attempted to offer a feeble apology for the stranger, and hinted that they should all be allowed to wear them. *' Why not ?" she said. "Long hair is natural to our sex, and you cannot say that yonder maiden sitting behind Captain Joe, doesn't look much better for hers." But this remark was met by such a storm of frowns, that Miss Genness spoke not another word ; yet every one of her comjDanions secretly agreed with her. Jealousy, however, smothered every other feeling. When Wadsworth and Lydia had proceeded about a quarter of a mile, they came to the village green, which was situated on the east side of the road, and in the centre of it stood an odd-looking structure with pyramid roof and belfrj-. Posted on the door was a notice of the last town meeting, which the sexton had neglected to remove, while on the right of the entrance was a pile of flat stones, about four feet high, called a horse-block, and which was intended to assist the women wor- shipers in getting off their pillions. " This," said Wadsworth, stopping his horse, " is where I come to worship. It is our oldest meeting- CHAUTER OAK. 135 house. There is another one, built in 1670^ which we Avill come to bv and by. Take notice now, there are not many graves around it yet, for we are a sober, God-fearing people, and death has . been sparing of us." The tombstones, which certainly were not numer- ous, stood on the ric,ht and left of the buildinsf, as well as in the rear. Some bore no name or inscrip- tion of any kind, and these he informed her mark- ed the resting-places of strangers, who had wan- dered hither from Europe, or other parts of the country, and died Avithout being known to any of the citizens. " There," he continued, pointing to a plain slab of red sand stone, about five inches thick, and raised a little from the ground on blocks of the same material, " there is where the Reverend Sam- uel Stone is buried. Can you read the inscrij).tion ?" "Here, patieiUy w.aitiu-^ for ths r3suvroctioii, lies Reverend S.imuel Stone. Deceased ye 01 ye.ir of his age, 30th day of Jnly, lGfi3. New England's glorj' and her radiant cro\sii Was he who now, on softest bed of down.. , 'Till glorious re.'mrrection morn appear. Doth safely, sweetly sleep in Jesus here. In nature's solid art and reasoning well, 'Twas known bej'ond compare he did excel, Erroi s corrupt by sinuous dispute, He did oppugn and clearly them confute. Above all things he Christ his Lord preferred. Hartford, thy richest jewel's he-e interred." 136 KOi^rANcJE OF THE When Lydia liad read it, Wadswortli drew her attention to another slab, on which was written : '♦In memory of Rev. Thomas Hookek, wlio, in 1G36, planted the first cliiircli in Connecticut." " I've shown you these graves," he said, " be- cause they cover the remains of two great men, but for whose spirit of Godhness, and the Httle account they made of the dangers of the wilder- ness, Connecticut woukl not have been what she is to-day. You must know, Miss, that the Reverend Samuel Stone and Mr. Hooker came here from Cam- bridge, Massachusetts, as long ago as 1636. The country is wild enough now ; fancy what it must have been . then, roamed over by the savage Pe- quots. Their only guide was a compass, and they were a fortnight on the way. The hundred men, women and children who accompanied them were not a band of emigrants, impelled by a restless spirit to seek a new home, but like their leaders they were filled with the grace of the Almighty. They startled the wild beasts with their hymns. It was a church moving west." Here he paused a moment, then went on. " It has been said. Miss, that we have had — * ' ' Cotton for our clothing, Hooker for our fishing, And Stone for our building.' " These three divines, Cotton, Hooker and Stone, came over from England in 1 633. The first wrote CHARTER OAK. 137 an excellent Catecliism, entitled " Cotton's Milk for Babes," wliicli I will sliow ^^on in my library, and his daughter became the wife of Increase Mather, who is n.)w the pillar of the church in New Eng- land. By her, Dr. Mather has a son named Cot- ton, a more extraordinary man even than his father, and who promises to root every witch out of the land. I have never met him, but the doctor is ex- pected here shortly, and will be my guest during his stay." There w\as another tombstone close by the graves of the ministers, which bore the name of Nancy Clark, and which attracted Lydia's attention, from the following quaint lines carved on it " Kem ember me as you pass by, For as you are so once was I ; As I am now, so you must be, Prepare in time to follow me. " While she was reading them, the bell of the meeting-house l7egan to toll, and Wadsworth im- mediatety let the reins drop, and crossing his arms, murmured : " There's another soul departed ; whose tu.ii next?" At this moment two men, who had come from the rear of the church, assumed a like attitude, and the girl could not help thinking what a solemn cus- tom it was thus to take note of a death. " Good morning, Mr. Barebones, good morning, 138 ROMANCE OF THE Mr. Japlieth," exclaimed the captain, after lie liad said a prayer. One of those whom he thus ad- dressed, Jacob Japheth, was ti thing-man of the Parish, and to him Ljdia immediately took a fancy. Yet he was anything but handsome, his short body being much inclined to corpulence, and he had only one eye ; but that one twinkled so merrily, and his face wore such a pleasant smile, as he returned the captain's greeting, that she felt he was an honest man, and that the world had gone easy with him. His companion was tall and thin, with a high, well-developed brow, which showed him to be a person of thought. His countenance, however, did not please, it was so lugubrious, and the girl was convinced there was a skeleton in his closet, some secret grief the world knew nothing of. Israel Barebones held the position of Kuling Elder. Wadsworth did not enter into conversa- tion with either of them, but went on to explain to Lydia that the " Green" was used once a month as a drill ground. "I am," said he, " captain of the train-band, and of the three thousand fighting men Connecti- cut can furnish, none are braver than the Hartford lads." He added, that she must certainly remain until next drill day. To this, Lydia made no response ; her attention seemed to be attracted towards another CHAKTER OAIi. 139 building, smaller than the cliiircli, and which stood on the north-east corner of the " Green." Wads- worth immediately directed his horse there, and stopped when he was within a few paces of the door, wdiicli was studded with heavy nails and had an immense rusty lock, with a keyhole, into which you might thrust two or three fingers at once. " This," said he, after she had examined it a mo- ment, " is our jail ; and yonder," pointing his switch at a locust tree close by, with a couple of iron rings in it, " is our whipping post ; while that," slightly changing the direction of the whip, " is the stocks." For a minute Lydia hitared at the tree, then at the other instrument of torture, which resembled a section of board fence, perforated by a number of lioles, the upper ones being meant to clasp the offender's wrist, the lower ones his ankles, then shook her head. " These are always placed near the house of worship," he w^ent on, not perceiving her look of disapprobation, " in order that the sinner, while he meets his deserts, may have his mind turned in a pious direction." Still the girl shook her head. " What !" he cried, suddenly looking at her, and his heavy eyebrows seemed to grow darker and heavier as he spoke : " What ! do these objects 140 ROMANCE or THE offend yon ? Eatlier rejoice, Miss, that the Lord's commandments may thns be enforced," But Lj^dia's countenance still indicated too plainly what her thoughts were, and giving the reins an angry jerk he hastened back into the road, with a pang in his heart. "Alas!" he murmured, "she is beautiful, but she has yet much to iearn. Adams declares she is fond of books, and that she thinks as I do about the future of the Colonies ; but in matters of re- ligion she is no better than an infant."' For the next five minutes neither of them spoke. Both regretted having gone near the jail. Per- haps Wadsworth regretted it the most, and yet he was half inclined to believe a special Providence had guided him there, in order to reveal how utterly unsuited such a maiden would be for a wife. But for this revelation her beauty might have got the better of him, and a solemn vow have been V>roken. "While these thoughts were passing through his mind Lydia was thinking of liim. " I have no doubt," she said to herself, " he is a remarkable man ; but oh ! how cross ! I'd have given any thing if the stranger who saved my life had proved to be Captahi AVadsworth. What if he were to fall in love Avith me !" As this idea struck her she laughed, and her host, who could see no cause for her levity, showed CHARTER OAK. 141 bis annoyance by toiicliing Puritan with the spur. The animal bounded forward. But presently the captain reined him in again and passed leisurely between two groups of boys, rosy-cheeked and saucy, who were fighting a battle with snow-balls ; and it took all their reverence for Wads worth to restrain them from pelting Jiis horse. They had now reached the tayern, or Ordinary, as it was called, a frame building on the east side of the way, with a sign-board on which was painted a bunch of grapes. A dead wolf, which some hunter had brought in, was lying on the stoop, its ears cut off, and a dog cautiously smelling the carcass, as if not quite sure the animal Avas dead. Wadsw^orth, breaking the silence, informed his com- panion that it was here the General Court met, and added that the house was said to be the oldest in town. "Well, a ioyial company must be assembled within," remarked Lydia ; " hear how they are laughing." " Aye, Miss, a game of shoyel-board is going on, and I fear the guests haye had more than half a pint of wine each, which is the lawful quan- tity ; they are indeed yery hilarious. But Satan cannot always be checked, and the felknv who keeps the Bunch of Grapes during Simon's absence is not troubled with scruples." 142 ROMANCE OF THE Contmuing their way a little further, they met a gaunt individual, clad in deerskin suit and fur cap, who was driving a sled load of wood to the market- place, which was a short distance in rear of the old meeting house, near what was then called Meeting House Alley. " Good morning. Cap.," he exclaimed ; " any news?" Wadsworth shook his head, then told him that he hoped to have some by next drill-day. *' Well, I'll be there," said the woodman, " never missed a drill yet. But Cap., we'll soon have spring. Hark ! don't you hear the blue-bird ?" and as he spoke he raised his hand and pointed towards the sky. Sure enough, Lydia heard at that moment the wild, somewhat plaintive note of the pioneer of the feathered tribe, and it made her think of the many times she and her father had welcomed this sound together, as they stood on the threshold of the cabin, for it told them that winter was drawing to a close. Presently they came to a bridge, spanning a narrow stream, which Wadsworth informed her was Little Eiver. " It falls. Miss, into Great Eiver'^" at Dutch Point, a neck of land about a mile below us, and which gets its name from the Dutch having built a fort there in 1633. For a number of years they * The name of the Connecticut in those days. CHARTED OAK. 143 resisted the laws of the Colony, and held ]>osses- sion till 1654, when Parliament declared thej must leave, and Holland, not willing to support them, the intruders departed." Skirting the north side of the stream, was a road leading from Dutch Point across what, in those days, was known as Little Meadow, to a fiouv and a saw-mill, which stood half a mile west of the main street ; while immediately south of the bridge was another high- way, Avhicli began at Soutli Meadow and folloAved the banks of the river as far as the same mills. Wliile they were crossing, Lydia noticed an old, weather-beaten chair dangling by a couple of ropes from the limb of a willow tree on the further bank, and naturally asked what it was used for. But Wadsworth mer<4y shrugged his shoulders, and as she did not repeat the question, she remained for the time being in ignorance of what a ducking- stool was. The first house beyond the bridge and east of the road attracted her attention, for it was quite unlike any she had yet seen. It was of dark- colored stone, and had a flat roof, with only a single chimney and that one right in the centre. From the door to the gate, opening on the street, ran a path hedged with box-wood, and there was more of the same shrub arranged in circles here and there, as if for flower-beds. They were almost opposite the gate when Wadsworth muttered some- lAl nOMANCE OF THE thirg, then heaving a deep sigh turned and looked the other way. For the first time now since they had itarted on their jaunt, they met a person who neith jr greeted them, nor even raised his hat as they went past. Leaning on the gate was a man of perhaps fifty-five or sixty years of age, with cold, grey eyes, which seemed to penetrate you with their stare. His whole expression was sinister, and the tliin lips which were pressed firmly together, looked as if they never parted in good-humored mirth. But some one else besides this individual was w^atching them from behind the blinds of a second story window. " Who is he ?" said Lydia, when they were out of hearing. " Nathaniel Clark," replied Wads worth, with abruptness, and as if she had broken in upon the current of his thoughts. Then in a more gentle tone, * His wife exchanged worlds some years ago. It was her gravestone which bore the epitaph be- ginning : 'Remember me, as you pass by.' I have always believed that she died of a broken heart. A most pious. Christian woman, and we miss her very much at meeting " " I fear, sir, the widower and yourself are not en good terms," pursued Lydia. CHARTER OAK. 145 " True, we rarely speak to one anotlier. He is no American !" " You mean, sir, tliat lie sides with tlie king ?" '' Precisely, and therefore no love lost between us It is fortunate that he cannot write, and that he reads with ditHculty ; for if his scholarship were equal to his natural shrewdness he would have done even more harm than he has. But, alas ! another hand than his ." Here Wads worth again sighed, and left the phrase unfinished. " Oh, how blind the people are," he continued, after a pause. " Over and over have I told them that the easiest way to get rid of our troubles would be to declare ourselves independent; have nothing more to do with England ; drive Andros and his minions into the sea. But oh, what uphill work it is to beat anj'thing new into even sensible folks' heads! I sometimes believe Doctor Mather takes me for a visionary when I write to him on this subject, while our Ruling Elder, although a strict Puritan, and consequently a hater of Bishops and Kings, does not sympathize at all with my scheme for a revolution. He would rather have us fast and pray and leave our destiny to be worked out by the Almighty. Hence, Mr. Barebones unwillingly plays into the hands of Nathaniel Clark, who is a liiazeii-faced royalist. 146 KOMANCE OF THE But depen:! upon it we must use our arms, as well as our tongues ; we must figlit as well as pray, oi else be content to wear our shackles until they rust off. But no such policy for me ! My dream will come true ; we shall win our Independence even though every stream in the land runs red with blood." " I agTee with you heart and soul !" exclaimed Lydia, " none but cowards can side with Mr. Bare- bones, none but traitors Avith Nathaniel Clark." She had scarcely spoken when Wadsworth turned upon her all the fire of his deep sunken eyes. By a powerful effort, however, he restrained himself. " No, no ! I will smother it," he muttered, " it is only a germ yet ; if I dally with it, it may master me." There was something so strange in his gaze that Lydia scarcely knew what to think ; she little dreamed of the agitation into which she had plunged his soul. They rode on in silence past another meeting-house, the same which her host had told her had been built in 1G70.^ It was not pyramid shaped like the one on the green, and over the spire was a glittering rooster, which at this moment pointed due west. As they went by, Wadsworth remarked that Hartford was the first * It stood ou the east side of Main street, a few yards south of what is now called Sheldon street. CHARTER OAK. 147 town after Boston, to liave more than one place of woi'sliip. In a few moments thej came to a lane, crossing Main street at right angles, and down wdiicli tliey turned. "I am going to show jou," said lier guide, " ii favorite spot of mine — one that I love for tlie sake of the view, and secondly, because there stands there the noblest tiee in the land." As they advanced, the ground on their right be- came more elevated, until it might have been called a gentle hill, and presently they reached the tree. It was an oak of most majestic appearance, with limbs as thick as the trunks of many other trees, and a circumference of full twenty-two feet. Near the roots was a cavity large enough for a child to enter, and at the mouth of it, basking in the sun shine, perhaps listening to the blue-birds, and hoping that this was the last snow of winter, sat a squirrel. " Here," said Wadsw^orth reining in his steed, " is where I come summer evenings, to listen to the whippoorwills ; they are heard on Wyllys' Hill sooner than anywhere else." Then gazing up, " \Yhat a grand old oak ! I dare say a thousand years have passed, since the acorn dropped from which it sprang." "It could not be more beautiful," returned Lydia ; " those wdio dwell in yonder mansion, 1-1:8 ROMANCE OF THE should be proud to have it so near. Pray who Hves there ?" " Mr. Samuel Wylljs. All this land around belongs to him. It is said that before Governor Wyllys came to America, his steward, whom he had sent forward to prepare his ikjw home, was on the point (fool that he must have been), of cutting down this oak, when some Indians begged him to spare it. ' It has been,' said they, ' our ancestors' guide for centuries, as to the time of planting corn. When the leaves are the size o. a mouse's ear, then put the seed in the ground.' " " Well, for their sake, captain, I hope 'twill stand many more years." " Yonder," continued her host, pointing to a small wooden structure, on top of the hill, " is a watch tower. We have another at my end of the town. But guards are not posted in them during the day, as formerly ; at night, however, there is always somebody there. I am going to urge the people to come back to our old custom and have a watch set the whole twenty-four hours. The In- dians, it is true, seem dis])osed for peace, King Philip's war having taught them a wholesome le^osou ; nevertheless, I do not j^lace the same con- fidence in them which others do. If we believed Israel Barebones, they would all turn Christian > provided we only scattered enough of Eliot's Bil)l<)S CHARTER OAK. ' 149 amongst them. But lie is over sanguine. For my part, I am convinced that Anclros is tampering with the hcatlien, who will do whatever bloody work he tells them." " Such allies," said Lydia, " would be of great assistance to his Excellency, in carrying out his nefarious schemes. I wonder Adams, when he brought me news, did not even hint at this." " Well, it was from him, Miss, I got my informa- tion. He is my great scout. Yet with all his daring, he is prudent and was, mayhap, afraid lest even his whispers might reach the ear of that Pequot youth, who is in your service." " Surely, he might have trusted Christian !" " Oh ! his race is treacherous ; and in spite of my reverence for John Eliot, from whom our E-uling Elder gets his good opinion of them, they cannot live side by side Avitli us. Let them read the Holy Book, if they will, I do not object ; but at the same time they must not stand in the way of civilization." After remaining nearly ten minutes under the tree, they rode back into Main street, and pursuing a southerly direction soon found themsalves at the last dwehiug — a log cabin about the size of Lydia's home. The door opened as they vvT.nt by, and a stout woman, with a ver}^ red face, which was beaming with good humor, dropped them a curtsy. AVadsworth lifted his hat, \m{ at the same time 150 •romance of the frowned. Lyclia thought she had seen the woman before ; yes she recognized her as the same gen- erous being, who had once offered shelter to her- self and her parent. " That's the widow Bull," said Wadsworth, •' whose husband was lost at sea a year ago. Strange what a light heart she can keep — always smiling — better she should weep for her sins. Did you notice the ribbons in her cap? 'Tis well she does not wear them at meeting, which I grieve to say she rarely attends. Her husband was just like her in character, but being a seafaring man, I could make allowances — and, besides, he did one righteous act, for which no doubt the Lord forgave him much." Here the speaker glanced at his companion, avIio 'lad been tempted to jump off the pillion and give the widow a kiss. Presently Wadsworth drew in his horse, and called her attention to a meadow on their right, which was perfectly smooth and without a single rock or stump : " There," said he, " is a piece of land which the town has given for the support of a free school ; whoever hires it will get a i3rofitable return for his labor, while the rent is to go towards the salary of the pedagogue. But tell me, who is that person at the further end oi the field? Methmks 'tis Clark." " It is he, sir," replied Lydia. CH \}!TEK OAK. 151 " Humpli ! I wonder what tlie fox is after ? Only two days ago I fonnd him measuring off this same ground ; now there he is at it again." " Perhaps he wants to hire it, and may pay a hirge rent, if he is zealous in the cause of educa tion, which he ought to be, considering the disad- vantages he must feel himself placed under by his own want of schooling." "Not he, Miss," returned Wadsworth, his eye still fixed upon Mr. Clark. " Wliy, he was the only one who did not approve the law of 1677, which or- dained that every toTvai neglecting to keep a school above three months in the year, should forfeit five pounds for every defect; and I have no doubt, although it was before my time, he likewise oppos- ed the code of 1650, which declared that every township of fifty householders should maintain a pedagogue." " A most wise ordinance, sir." " It was indeed ; ignorance being the great stumbling-block to self-government. Parents find it difficult to shirk their duty, for once a year every family suspected of not educatmg their children, is visited by the grand jurors." They now turned and went back at the same gentle gait towards Hartford, and Lydia hoped to catch another glimpse of Mrs. Bull. In this, how- ever, she was disappointed ; the widow had proba- 152 KOMANOE OF THE blj noticed Wadswortli's froAvn, and so ko})t in* doors. As they approached the square stone man- sion, her host urged on his steed ; but did not avert his face ; on the contrary, this time he gazed full at the building. They had almost passed it, Avht'n the door opened, and to Lydia's surprise Milc^s Standiah bounded forth — in a moment the crea- ture had jumped the picket fence, and v/as cutting- all sorts of capers around them. To see the cap- tain's favorite issuing from his enemy's abode, was enough to excite the girl's wonder and curiosity. However, she asked no questions. Could she have caught a glimpse of Wadsworth's face, she would have been even more astonished at the agitation depicted on it ; and as if something were pursuing him, he gave Puritan a hard cut with the whip, which made the horse dart forward at such a pace, that in two minutes they were across Little Eiver, and almost at the old meeting-house. Here he allowed the reins to slacken, and presently they met again the rugged Avoodman, now going back to his cabin on the edge of the forest, looking very cheerful, and the honest fellow doffed his coonskia cap with so much ceremony that Lydia had to laugh, while her companion shrugged his shoulders. " Our fiiend has tucked more tliau one cup of sack under his coat, since we last saw him," said Wadsworth. "I must tell the keeper of the Ordi- cnA]iri:K oak. 153 nai'j to be on his guard ; lie is dealing out liquor too freely." " But the fellow doesn't appear ti])sy," remarked Lydia, "I should only call him merry. This i telling folks what games they are to pla}^ ; how much they are to drink ; and what clothes they can wear, does not strike me as wise." She spoke playfully, yet at the same time meant to administer a gentle reprooi to her host for his narrow views. Wadsworth made no response, nor did he open his lips again till they reached the house. IJere, without waiting for his assistance, she slid down from the pillion and was about raising the latch, when he sprang ofi' the horse, and catching her by the arm begged her to stay a moment. Tossing back her curls and endeavoring to assume a serious air, Lydia bade him say w^hat he had to say. But the words were slow in coming ; there was a flush upon the brow of her host. " How has my native town pleased you ?" he ask- ed, after a pause, during which his heart throbbed as it had not done in many a year. " Oh, ever so much, sir, ever so much, and I'd like to live here all my life, if " "If Colonel Goffe were only with you," he whis- pered. Lydia gave a start and turned deadly pale. 154 ROMANCE OF THE "Oh, do not feav," be coiitiinK^d. siniling ; " Adams has let me into the secret. Rest assured your parent is in no danger ; I would shed the last drop of my blood in his defence, and so would every member of the train-band. " As he sj)oke, he allowed his hand to touch hers, but gently and timidly. The struggle, though it lasted only a few moments, was a terrible one. The flush was yet upon his brow, when the door opened and his aunt and Goody Garlic appeared, looking ever so pleased, and with tongues itching to ask the happy pair how they had enjoyed each other's company. But they wisely resolved not to hurry matters. Every thing was Avorking smoothly, and when Lydia entered, the old nurse threw her arms around her neck and told her she was a very, very good girl ; while Wadsworth, as he led the horse towards the stable, exclaimed, " a chaste and beau- tiful woman is the godliest thing God has made." l)ut his rhapsody did not last long. Even while he was unstrapping the saddle, his countenance as- sumed a look of deepest melancholy ; and as he went back to the house he murmured : " for me the Proverb Avas not written, ' a virtuous woman i» A crown to her husband.' " CHARTF. 11 OAK. 155 CHAPTER VI. It was a very pleasant surprise to Miss Crabtree, when the nooii-day repast was over, to hear her nephew invite Ljdia into his study. This apavt- inont w.'is on the same floor as the one where they were in the habit of assembhng, but being a great deal smaller, and not liaving any fire-place, was far from being as comfortable. The girl, who had longed to get a glimpse of this retreat, or den, as Cliarit}" sometimes called it when out of humor with the captain, immediately laid aside her knit- ting and followed her host, Miles Standish keeping close behind, and wagging his great bushy tail, as if he were as nnich i)leased as anybody to have his master falling in love. The room where she pres- ently found herself was indeed a queer place, and belied the reputation for method and order which Wadsworth enjoyed among the town-folk. On every side disorder was visible. The shelves for ])ooks were half empty, and their contents, some wide open with ugly dog-ears in them, others with backs and edges gnawed by mice, lay scattered al)Out the floor, while goose quills by the dozen were strewn under foot. In fact you might have supposed some malicious person had entered and turned every thing topsy-turvy. The only objects I5n ROMANCE OF THE arranged as tliej should 1)(3, weie a pair of lieavv top-boots, and these stood side b}' side, heel to heel. But as though Miles knew they were not in keeping with the rest of the scene, he walked up to them and witli a shove of his nose, knocked the right one over on the left, then looked round at his master Avith something \evy like a twinkle in his eye. After making his guest seat herself on the only chair the study contained, Wadsworth folded his arms and stood watching her. He hardly knew how to interpret her expression, as she surveyed the apartment It was one of mingled pleasure and disgust ; for while her thirst for knowledge was excited, her womanly instinct of neatness and clean- liness was shocked 1 >y the dust and the cobwebs Presently she stooped and picked up the book which was nearest to her. "That," said he, "is the Assembly Catechism, than which nought can be more interesting and profitable." A hasty glance satisfied Lydia that slie would rather not peruse it, so setting it on her lap she turned towards the table at her elbow, where, un- rolled to its full length, with a stone pressing down each corner, was a map of North Amei'ica. No sooner had she begun examining it, than her host changed color and his face grew troubled CHAKTER OAK. 157 " Did yon drjiw this, sir ?" she inquired, aftei pjtudying- it a feA7 niinntes. "No; its origin is wrapped in mystery." Tlien lowering his voice: "I found it liere one morn- ing, six or seven years ago ; 3'et wlien I left the room the evening before, I tnrned the key in the lock, and secnrely fastened the window." " Strange !" " Very, Miss, very ; and only that the chart has proved so nsefiil, I might have been inclined to think it the work of a Avitch, o.f whom several have been seen to ride over the town astraddle broom- sticks. Bat I cannot believe any one coirnected •with Beelzebnb w^onld have served me snch a good turn. My fear is that a witch may get in and de- stroy the map ; that is why I have a horse-shoe yonder," pointing at one hanging on a peg near the door. This reminded L^dia that there also was a horse-shoe at the head of her bed. Now had she been differently bronght up, or rather had she lived in a more enlightened age, she w^ould have laughed at such superstition in a man of the in- tellect of her host. Instead of this, however, she became grave herself, and murmured a short prayer, which Goody Garlic had taught her, in order to drive away the Evil Spirit. " Well, no matter how it came here," she re- samed, after a pause ; "you ought to make coj^ies 158 ROMANCE OF THE of it, and distribute them among the people. It would give them a better idea than they now have of the size of this countr3\" Then running her finger westward along the map : " I perceive, sir, that you claim as far as the Pacific." " Of course. Miss Goffe. Let me read a short extract from our charter, and you will see I a id right in thus giving the boundary of Connecticut." As he spoke he opened a drawer under the table, and taking out a sheet of paper began to read: " ' Bounded on the east by the Narragansett river, commonl3^ called Narragansett Bay, where the said river falleth into the sea ; and on the north by the line of the Massachusetts Plantation, and on the South by the sea, and in longitude as the line of the Massachusetts Colony runneth from east to west ; that is to sa}^ from the said Narragansett Bay on the east, to the South Sea (Pacific Ocean), on the west part, with the islands thereunto ad- joining.' " After conversing a few minutes longer on the Geograph}^ of America, thev began talking of Europe, and "Wadsworth was pleased to find that she knew as much about the old world as he did himself. Presently she picked up another book, and with a roguish smile, said : " I wonder Miss Crabtree allows 3'our library to I CHARTER OAK. 159 be in such disorder, while every other part of the house is like wax." " Blame not my aunt," he responded ; '* before you, no woman, at least with my consent, ever en- tered it.'"' " Well, perhaps — " here she looked archly at him — " you will allow me to come here, for I am fond of reading, but until now the only works that have been within my reach are the Bible and Pil- gfim's Progress." " Ah ! a great book that of John Bunyan's ; and I never was tired of reading my copy of it, before it got lost. I always attributed its disappearance to my aunt's broom, for she did manage .once to penetrate my sanctum. 'Twas well I did not find it in her dust-pan, or I might have given way to my temper and spoken words I would afterwards have bitterly regretted." " I cannot believe, sir, she would have been so careless." "Well, w^ho then took it? Even Simon has never crossed this threshold ! To be sure, he wa^ with me the day I found my aunt sweeping, but he did not follow me in here ; at least I am pretty sure ke didn't, and besides, he is not given to reading." It had occurred to Lydia, while Wads worth was speaking, that the Pilgrim's Progress, which the tavern-keeper had given her, might be the very one 160 ROMANCE OF THE which was missing, iu which case she ought to re- store it. But how was she to do so without bring- ing a scolding on Mad Adams? After thinking over this a moment, she commenced blowing the dust off another volume. *• That," said the captain, leaning over her shoulder, " is the little law book which every family is required by the General Court to keep, in order that no man may plead ignorance of what the law is. It does not cost much — twelve pence in silver, or one and a half pecks of wheat, or two-thirds of a bushel of peas at three shillings a bushel. I hope you will read it." " I will, sir. Pray, what work is this ?" taking up another volume. " The Bay Psalm Book, Miss. It contains all the Psalms, faithfully translated into English meter, by the Keverend Mr. Weld and John Eliot, who knew the original Hebrew. It Avas printed at Cam- bridge, Massachusetts, nearly fifty years ago.'' Lydia next examined Eliot's Indian Bible, jDrint- ed in 1664 ; then. New England's Salamander Dis- covered, printed in London in 1647. Next she took up the Heart of New England Eent at the Blasphemies of the Present Generation ; or, a Brief Extract concerning the Doctrine of the Quakers — demonstrating the Destructive Nature thereof to CHARTER OAK. 161 Eeligioii, the Cliurclies and the State, with Cousid- erations of the Remedy against it. " A rather long title," remarked Wadsworth, " but an excellent book, written by John Norton, foi'merly teacher of Giirist Church at Boston, and who ]ield that the devil made the Quakers." " Did he ?" exclaimed Lydia, letting the volume fall upon the floor ; " then it shall remain where I found it, and sorry am I that I blew the dust off, I hate bigots, and he must have been one." These words gave her host another shock — they reminded hiui of how she had spoken about the stocks and whippiiig-post. " Alas, alas ! what am I coming to !" he said to himself. " Here is a woman not only in my library, but actually daring to criticise the writings of John Norton, and I standing by in silence !" At this moment Lydia turned upon him one of her bewitching glances. " How weak I am !" he groaned ; " how weak I am. What infatuation has seized me ? But I will crush it ; it is yet only a germ !" Presently she took up the New England Primer, a work suited for children, and which began with the alphabet and ended with a strange poetic dia- logue betv>'een Christ, a youth, and Satan. Next came Cotton's Milk for Babes, a very popular Ca- techism, but she only glanced at it, then let it fall 162 ROMANCE OF THE OX) bcr iap, and began dusting another book with a verj; L' jg title, and wbich her host informed her was the latest addition to his librar3\ It was written in verse, and appeared to be a satire aimed at the fol- lies rife in England and the Colonies. Its name was. The simple Cobbler of Agawam, in America, willing to help mend his native country, lamentably tattered both in the upper leather and the sole, with all the honest stitches he can take, and as will- ing never to be paid for his work by old English wonted pay. It is his trade to patch all the year round gratis — therefore I pray, gentlemen, keep your purses. By Theodore de la Guard. London . Printed in Pope's Head Alley. Its real author, Wadsworth mformed her, was Nathaniel Ward, minister of Ipswich. Then came the Day of Doom, a much admired work, giving a description of the Last Judgment, by Michael Wigglesworth, A. M. But what pleased Lydia most was a volume of poems by Ann Bradstreet, daughter of old Governor Dudley, and wife of Governor Bradstreet. " You are fond of poetry ?" asked Wadsworth. " I have never read any, sir," she replied, " but I love the flowers and birds, and methinks this work will be just to my taste ; so I shall put it in my pocket and read it at my leisure." " Humph !" exclaimed her host, shrugging his CHARTER OAK. 163 shoulders, " better peruse tlie Assembly Catechism. However, do as you like." By this time the girl had her lap full, and as she did not pick up any more, we will, for the satisfac- tion of the reader, give the names of some of the other volumes v>^hich completed the collection. There was a History of the World, and the Turkish Em]iire ; a History of Queen Elizabeth ; Calvin's Institutions ; Caesar's Commentaries ; Bariffe's Ar- tillery ; Burrough's Christian Contentment ; Ball on Faith ; Dod on the Lord's Supper ; Wilson's Dictionary ; Homer's liliad, and two Bibles. Wads- w^orth, after he had helped her a moment arrange the books on the shelves, stopped, and folding his arms, said : " I presume, from the retired life you have been leading, that you are not a member of any church ?" " No, sir, and yet I trust I am no heathen." " Well, well, that point we will not discuss at pre- sent ; I feel sure, however, that when you do be- come a member, the unorthodox views you hold on certain subjects will be dissipated. Yes, you must own the Covenant." " But there is no church where my home is, and I must return in a few days." A faint smile played on the captain's lips as she said this; he rejoiced to think he had invited her 164 ROMANCE OF THE father to come and dwell with him. But mingled with his desire to befriend the regicide, was there not deep in Wadsworth's heart another motive which had prompted him to offer Colonel Goffe the hospitality of his roof, and which, as he gazed on Lydia's face, again brought the color to his brow ? Was that dimpled chin, those hazel eyes, that cheek slightly crimsoned by a blush, to become the prize of another man ? As this thought was shaping it- self in his mind, for he hardly dared acknowledge, even to himself, the fascination she was beginning to exercise over him, the giii turned and went to the window, where, after gazing out a moment, she gave a deep sigh. Startled by this exhibition of grief, Wadsworth advanced towards her, and in a voice full of tenderness asked the cause of her trou- ble. At first she did not answer. " I was thinking, sir," she said, when he had repeated the question, " of my dear father. See, yonder is a crow flying in the direction of home. I wdsh I could go with it." "Oh, Miss Gofte, you'll soon see your parent again ; yes, very soon. Pray leave the window and read with me a few pages of the Assembly Cate- chism." " Better let me take the book with me when I return to the wilderness ; I do not feel like study- ing while I'm here." CHARTEK OAK. 165 He would fain liave urged the matter, but discov- ering that her will was as strong as liis own, lie withdrew his hand from the volume, and remained silently watching her ; while Miles, who had been dozing under the table, jumped up and gave a whine — the creature seemed to feel that it's master had not shown it as much attention to-daj, as usual. " Flow long have you had your 'shadow?' " in- quired Lydia, patting the dog's head. " Six or seven ^^ears. Miss, which is about the time my aunt has been keeping house for me. Oh, how lonely I'd have been without Miles !" " And you have neither parents, brothers nor sis- ters living ?" " No, they have all exchanged worlds. It was fortunate that I had an unmarried relative in New Haven, who was willing to come and take up her abode here, when the last of them died ; for, as a single man, I would have been forbidden to dwell by myself," " What laws you have !" exclaimed Lydia, laugh- ing, " Severe, but righteous, Miss ;" Wadsworth's brow contracting a little as he spoke. " But even if no law had forbidden you to live alone, could you have been happy, all by yourself, in such a vast house ? I think my skin would creep if I Avere in it, with no one else." 166 ROMANCE OF THE " Mj dog and my books would iiaye been com pany enongli." " Well, doubtless you know by heart the contents of each volume. ' " Yery nearly. Not an idle hour have I spent since Aunt Crab tree came to Hartford. Days and nights have I sat up reading and meditating, and all in order to fit myself for accomplishing one great end." "And pray what may that be?" " The Independence of these Colonies ! Already my superior learning has given me great iniluen-ce over the peoj^le, not only of Hartford, but of many other towns ; the majority recognize me as a leader, and the partisans of the king know me, and hate me." "Oh, you will triumph over them nil — you will, you will !" exclaimed Lydia, her countenance ra- diant with enthusiasm. At these words the strong man's frame quivered, his eyes flashed as they met hers; then with a groan he bowed his head and cov- ered his face with his hands. The cause of his trouble she did not ever so faintly dream of. " Oh, do not despond, Mr. Wadsworth," she con- tinued, resting her hand on his arm — and how the touch of it thrilled him ! — " Andros has all England at his back, you have the freemen of America. If we strike we conquer. No, do not despond." Pres- I CHARTER OAK. 167 ently he uncovered liis face, and in a solemn tone " I must," he said, " first conquer myself, before I can reach the goal. But I will pray for stren^^th, Jehovah will hear my prayer." " What can he mean ?" thought Lj'dia, half in- clined to laugh, " is my host such a sinner ?" Then alter a pause : " I cannot understand," she said, " how there should be any party opposed to you, no, really I cannot." " Well, there is, and its chief is Nathaniel Clark ; a man, as I have already remarked, of great natural ability and Avith as much energy and daring as my- self. Kandolph and Dudley used to send him gold wherewith to corrupt the people, and I am pretty certain Andros is doing the same thing now. Those strangers you met on your way here and whom I afterwards saw at the Bunch of Grapes, were no doubt sent by Sir Edmund for some such purpose. But besides Mr. Clark, there is our ruling elder who stands in my way. Israel Barebones is a man of eminent piety and wonderful courage, and you might burn him at the stake before you would make him abjure the Puritan faith ; yet I cannot help thinking he is far astray when he urges us to trust only in Providence, in order to free ourselves from tyranny. Did not Joshua of old fight as well as pray? Oh, Miss Goffe, it has been hard work to keep true to my purpose. But now I find an ob- 168 ROMANCE OF THE stacle in my path, that may prove even harder to overcome than open enemies like Mr. Clark, or well meaning, though foolish Christians like Israel Bare- bones" " What may that obstacle be ?" exclaimed Lydia, impatiently. " Mj own self. But I will pray for strength ; I will fast and do penance that the temptation may be removed. Alas ! my soul will be in, jeopardy unless I triumph over it." Here there was an- other pause, the longest one yet, during which Wadsworth turned his back upon the girl and stood gazing on the floor. At length, anxious to break a silence which troubled her, accompanied as it was by such conduct on the part of her host, Lydia asked him to tell her something of the history of Simon Adams, who, she said, was their mutual fi'ieud. " I will, I will," exclaimed the Captain, ab- ruptly facing her again, and looking as if he were glad she had disturbed the current of his thoughts. " I first met him during King Philip's war, in 1675, when we served in the same company; and if I am alive to-day it is thanks to him, for he twice saved me from the tomahawk of the savages. Since then he has led a roving life, but his wander- ings have had a purpose in them which people did not divine. It is through him I have been able to CHARTER OAK. 1G9 obtain information of wliat is going on in the dif- ferent Colonies ; and as lie lias a sharp ear, a quick eye and a daring spirit, few things have remained hidden from him. Lately I thought it best to have him near me, for matters seemed approaching a crisis, so I have procured him a license to keep the Dunch of Grapes. His conduct thus far has given no oftcnce to tlie selectmen and he goes to meet- ing as fegularl}' as I do myself." " Well, was he ever other than good ?" " Yes ; I regret to saj, there was a time when our friend was given to drinking too much liquor ; and once, while in a state of intoxication, he attempted to break up a town meeting, and for that offence he is even to this day suffering, for they have taken away from him. the title of *Mr.' " *■ Do you think that dreadful punishment has had much effect on him ?" said Lydia, smiling. Wadsworth frowned a moment, then answered: " Not as much as I might wish ; but during the past few months he has changed greatly for the better." The girl still smiled, for she remembered the falsehood which the tavern-keeper had so recently told her host, when the latter had questioned him about card playing. At this moment the old maids were heard singing in the next room, and the con- versation broke up, Lydia hastening to join them, 170 ROMANCE OF THE out of curiosity ; the Captain, because tlie spirit moved him to prayer, and he knew they were chant- ing something devotional. On opening • the door, they found Miss Crabtree and Goody Garlic side by side, their backs to the fire, one of them beating time with her forefinger, the other with her foot, and both gazing at the ceiling, for they knew the words of the hymn by heart and only needed an occasional glance at the page. Wads^\l3rth im- mediately joined his voice to theirs, and its deep bass contrasted oddly with the shrill nasal tones of his aunt, who seemed to be trying to out- sing her friend, for she w^as gradually rising to a higher and higher key. Presently her topknot commenced jerking back and forth — in another in- stant she was on her toes ; then, after remaining thus about a minute, she ended the hymn with a shriek. " Practicing for next Sabbath," she exclaimed, when she had rested a moment to catch her breath, and addressing Lydia, who, much to the regret of her old nurse, had remained a silent list^ener. " But 'taint a caution to my singing then ; at meet- ing I'm glory all over, and you can hear me clear across Little river." When Miss Crabtree had commenced speaking the girl had buried her face in her hands, the tempt- ation to laugh being quite irresistible, and the dame CHARTER OAK. 171 flattered herself that she was saying a prayer. But Wadsworth caught a glimpse of her eye, peeping between her fingers, and with an angry look he with- drew to his study, closing the door after him with a slam, before even Miles could pass through, and there he remained a full hour, as still as a mouse, at least his aunt's sharp ear was not able to detect the faintest sound within. At the end of that time the door opened, and he beckoned to the good woman, who immediately left the oven, where she had been setting a batch of bread, and advanced as far as the threshold ; but there of course she halted. Imagine her astonishment, when he opened the door a little wider and bade her come in. " Can Joe be ill?" she thought, as she entered the forbidden chamber. "Verily, he has acted oddly to-day ; I'm afraid fasting and hard study are turning his brain." After motioning her to a seat he took three or four turns up and down the room, then stopped, and asked what she thought of their young guest. " I like Miss Lydia, exceedingly," rephed the dame, " yes, I admire her ever 30 much, and my old friend Prudence, who is down on fibbing, de- clares she's an angel. AVliy, the gal was up this morning soon after bell ringing ; and when you consider that she had a right to lie abed, I call that smart. Then too, she's comely; nay more, she's 172 ROMANCE OF THE uncoinmon fine lookiug ; there ain't anotlier pair of eyes like liers in all Hartford. But I guess, Joe, you discovered that yourself a'fore you asked her to ride out with you." . This was a home thrust, and with the color rising to his face, Wadsworth took another stride up and down the apartment. " But has she the spirit of Godliness?" he exclaimed, stopping and giving his aunt a searching look. " Is she not given to levity at moments when she ought to be serious ?" " Well, she's not quite as sedate as I would like, and thie morning was not very attentive at Bible- reading; but then, Joe, that was the fault of your * shadow.' As for her curls, they're a scandal I ad- mit ; but I'll make her cut 'em off afore the sun goes down. And yet, Joe, I hate to have 'em thrown away ; are they not beautiful ?" "Aunt, I did not summon you here, for the pur- pose of talking about Miss Lydia's beauty ; what is that to me ? Curls lead to vanity, and vanity destroy eth godliness, even as rust eateth into iron. Yea, aunt, cut them off before it is too late. Always meet the Devil on the threshold, never give him an inch." " I will, Joe, I will; but pray go on and tell me what you have to say ; my bread will all be spoilt if you don't hurry." " I wish to inform you, aunt, that the girl is go- CnAIi:ER OAK. 173 Ing to stay with us louger than yon imagine. I have invited her father to come and make this his home." " Indeed ! good, good ! yes, bo can be concealed here as well as in the forest." " Ha ! then you know the secret ? pray who told yon, aunt?" "My friend, Prudence, but it was in strict con- fidence ; no harm, however, in repefxting it to you, Joe !" "Well, for goodness' sake don't let it go any farther. When the regicide passes under my roof, let him be as one dead. Oh, what pity it is that Lidian lad knows it." " But he doesn't ; my friend says he has only a vague notion that the old gentleman was banished from the settlement for some cause or other, be does not know what, and has never asked ; while both Prudence and Miss Lydia think he can be impb'citlr trusted." " I hope they may be right," sighed Wadswortb " I fear however that if the Pequot comes in con tact with others of his race, he may be seduced b} the presents which Andros is distributing amongst them. Already Sir Edmund has persuaded the Mohawks to make peace with the French, toward whom, like his royal master, lie seems very partial. Indeed, I am convinced, that at Ikm: t, bis Excel- 174: ROMANCE OF THE lency is no Protestant, and if he dared would make us all slaves to liome." " AVell, Joe, ^vliat you say may be true, but I'd rather you'd not trouble yourself so much about it. Get i.ndros, the French and King James out of your '/Bad, and you'll sleep sounder at night. But before I go back to the oven let me ask when Colonel Goffe may be expected ?" " Mad Adams has orders to bring him here as soon as possible." " Indeed ! Oh, Joe, I am so glad, let's keep it a complete surprise. Oh, how delighted Miss Lydia will be, and if she isn't completely won over by your kindness, then she ain't the gal I take her for.*' As the aunt said this. Wads worth motioned her to leave. "Why, Joe, you look displeased," she continued. " I tell you Miss Lydia can't help but love you, when she sees you acting so towards her father. And now before I do go out of this room, let me beg you to have a husking party. Let it be the grandest ever given in Hartford ; you have the largest house and barn, and dear knows how many barrels of nuts, and more cider than you can drink in a life time, unless others help you. Promise now that you'll give a husking party, as soon as Colonel Goffe arrives. Of course he won't be able to show himself at the festivity, but his daughter CHARTER OAK. l75 will mingle freely amou<^ the guests, and shine above all the other maidens present ; every body will envy you, and won't I be proud, Joe — oh, won't I!" After a pause, which was quite inexplicable to Miss Crabtree, Wadsworth consented, and promising that he would make the occasion as jovial as he possibly could, he a second time motioned her to leave. With a countenance beaming with smiles, Charity followed the direction of his finger, and as she went back to the oven. Goody Garlic slipped her arm around her waist and asked what she was so glad about ? " Tell me," she whispered. " I won't tell a soul !" " By-and-by," answered Miss Crabtree. " Oh, it's a great secret." A.11 the rest oi the afternoon, Lydia passed seated at the window, reading the poems of Ann Brad- street ; and sorry was she when at length it grew too dark for her to see the enchanting page. She then closed the volume, and leaning back in her chair, gave herself up to reverie. She wondered what her father might be doing at that hour. " Per- haps," she said " he's thinking of me and wishing I Avere with him." But the log cabin, where so many of her years had been spent, did not, like most homes, inspire her with pleasant memories. It pre- 176 KOMANOE OV THE sented itself to her mind as a gloomy abode, the monotony of wliicli would have been unendurable, but that her parent inhabited it. Since she had come to Hartford, the world seemed to have grown larger. There was no longer any forest to bound her vision, she was dwelling in the midst of news ; Boston was much nearer, so was Sir Edmund Andros, and as she thought of him, she wished she had been born a man, that she might have lent her aid to strike for independence. Then her thoughts turned to the mysterious map which she had seen on Wadsworth's table, and she wished that she had one like it to show to her father. " He might then agree with me," she said, " about the future of America. He would see that the Republic, as the Charter of Connecticut foreshadows, will extend on the west even to the Pacific Ocean." At last she reflected on how brief her stay in the settlement was going to be ; the wilderness would soon close round her again ; she would go back to her Bible and Pilgrim's Progress, and have only the occasional visits of Mad x\.dams to enliven her. No matter Avhat stirring events might happen, in the log cabin all would be quiet and monotony. Heretofore her spirit had found a balm in constant w^ork; the spindle and distafl", the poultry, attending to her little dairy had partly smothered her restlessness. CHARTER OAK. 177 Gould slie go back and feel resigned to lier solitai-y fate? " Oh yes," slie said to lierself, not however with- out a sigh, " I can bear it for father's sake." Then she prayed that God might let her forget the scene of yesterday in the forest. To keep green the memory of the handsome stranger who had rescued her from the wolves, would be a never-ending pain. It was a glorious vision which would never return. But even as she prayed to forget him, his face seemed to rise up before her, and to escape it she turned and gazed at the embers on the hearth. But lo ! there it was again ; nor did it vanish until Miss Crabtree threw on a fresh armful of hickory. At this moment Wadsworth emerged from his study, clad in his deerskin jacket and heavy top boots, and after whispering a word to his aunt, left the house, followed of course by his shadow. " Joe, Joe," murmured the old lady, as the door closed behind him, "what a restless being you are ! You'll pass half the night trying to find out what became of those strangers. Why can't you w^ait until to-morrow ?" But the Captain thought otherwise. He was not the man to abandon any clew which might lead to the discovery of Sir Ed- mund's plans, just for the sake of a quiet evening at home. If Andros flattered himself it would be an easv 178 ROMANCE OF THE matter to rob the people of their charter, Joseph Wadsworth would teach him a rude lesson. This evening while he was yet out on his reconnois>sance, an angry scene took place in the bed room occupied by Goody Garlic and Lydia. But we need not dwell upon it. The girl finally yielded, not how- ever to the cross looks of Miss Crabtree, but to the soft entreaties of her old nurse. ** It will be all for the best," said the latter, pat- ting her shoulder, "Yes, all for the best. Curls are forbidden, and surely you'll not let vanity stand in the way of obedience to our laws, which have been inspired by the Almighty." And so the regicide's daughter, after some resis- tance, was pushed by the good- wife into the ancient chair in which more than one Wadsworth had breathed his last, and for about five minutes no- thing was heard in that frosty apartment but the clipping of scissors ; and when the work was ac- complished, Prudence gave the girl a kiss, while Miss Crab tree, filling her apron with the golden spoils, hastened down to the roaring fire, which in an instant swallowed them up. BARTER OAK. 179 CHAPTEE XII. Ir was exactly midnight when Wadsworth came home, feeling cold and not in the best of moods, by which his aunt, who had not yet retired, judged that lie had been unsuccessful in the object of his ex- pedition, and when she asked what he had dis- covered regarding the strang(n's, he shook his head, and answered, " very little." Then after warming his hands, he went on to tell her that the stranger whom he had left at the inn, had passed the night there. " His comrade," he added, " who was doubt- less a bearer of dispatches from i^Jidros to Governor Treat, I traced to Mr. Clark's house ; tliey both de- parted at daybreak." With this he opened the door of his study, and urged his aunt not to sit up any longer. " You must be tiied," he said, " waiting for me." " Well I do need repose," answered the good woman, " but not half so much as yourself, who rack } our brains from morning to night, whereas I only labor with my hands. Oh, Joe ! go to your couch too. How can you help looking pale and haggard, when you don't take enough sleep ?" But although she remained some minutes at the foot of the staircase, entreating him, he refused to follow her example and she went up alone, saying 180 llOMANCE OF THE as she had often done before, " what a strange, strange being !" From this hour until bell-ringing, the house was silent ; every body slept except Wads- worth, for whom this night was to be the most trying in his life. During his solitary walk through the town, he had pondered seriously his late con- duct, and had persuaded himself that it would bring down on him the vengeance of God ; and this belief had so excited him, that sleep was now impossible. As soon, therefore, as the library door closed, he extinguished his candle and falling on his knees, began to pray. He beat his breast and implored the Almighty to pardon him for what he had done. Six years had passed since he had made a vow never to marry, hoping that the Lord, in return for such a sacrifice, would help him achieve the independence of the colonies. It was a strange vow, yet in keeping with those strange fanatical times. Now, had he not broken it, at least in spirit ? Had not a maiden whom he had known but a single day caused him to fall ? Tears rolled down his cheeks as he reflected on his weakness, and in this cold, pitch-dark chamber, he remained hour after hour praying with all the fervor of his soul. Over and over again he repeated the psalm Lord, God of my salvation, I Liavc cried day aud uiglit be- fore Thee. Let my prayer come before Thee, incline Thine ear unto my cry. CHARTER OAK. 181 For my soul is full of trouble, and luy life draweth uigh unlc the grave. I am counted with thym that go down into the ])it, I am a man that hath no strenfrth. Free amoimg the dead like the slain that lie in the grave, whom thou remembcrest no more ; and they are cut off from Thy hand Thou hast laid me in the hnvest pit— in darkness— in the. deeps. Nor did lie rise from his knees until the Avatch- man's bell warned hint that it was dajbreal^ He then got up, feeling renewed strength of will, and more determined than ever to trample his passion under foot he even smiled, so confident was he of victory. Then lighting his candle, he w^ent into tlie other room, where he busied himself making the fire, and he was thus occupied wlien his aunt came down. The very first thing the loving woman did was to scan his countenance. " Ah Joe !" she exclaimed, " I don't call that being kind to me. One might suppose you had seen a ghost, you look so pale ; I'll engage, you havn'i closed your eyes since I left you, five hours ago. If you fall sick and die, what would become of poor Charity Crabtree? Oh, my boy, do not trifle Avith your health ; cease your fasting and vigils ; turn over a new leaf and marry, yes, that is my solemn advice. It makes you start, but I repeat it, marry. A wife is the only thing that will soothe your troubled spirit, and make you cheerful and contented." 182 ROMANCE OF THE It would be impossible to describe the feelings of the Captain, as these words sounded on his ear; his first impulse was to drop the stick of wood he was carrying and rush back into his sanctum. But just at that moment, Lydia came tripping down the staircase, and recognizing her footstep, he muttered a prayer and boldly turned to meet her. She was changed* since the evening before ; every curl had disappeared, and yet she really seemed more be- witching than ever. Her joyous countenance pen- etrated like a flood of light into his gloomy soul, and made his heart beat quicker. Ah ! it was a hard trial, but he did not give way; he remembered the solem/i vow he had made. His aunt fancied that his / :pression was less austere than usual, as he bado the girl good morning ; she flattered her- self he ivas taking her advice, and about to turn over a new leaf. Alas, she was catching at a straw. "That's right Joe, do be cheerful ; remember what I told you a mo/. I'ut ago," she exclaimed, pattmg him on the back. L^'dia h',\d now advanced to wdthin a few feet of him, and palling an apple out of her pocket : " Ca})tain," she said, with an arch smile, and a glance at her nurse who was following her, " Goody Garlic and T found this in our bed-room, and have CHARTEll OAK. 183 Lad a dispute about it. I say it's a pippin, she says it is not ; now, which of us is right ?" At once her host threw down his stick of wood, and bent forward to examine the fruit. In a calmer moment he might have decided the question, but in the presence of the tempter his eyes wandered from the apple to the little white hand which held it, then of a sudden averting his face, he folded his arms and murmured something which neither Lydia nor the old maid understood. " Well, answer my question," she continued, laugh ing. " My aunt can decide that trifling matter, I have other things to think about,'* he replied, turning slowly towards her again. Such a remark from her host astonished the girl. " I'm sure," she thought, as she withdrew to one of the seats in the chimney, " the stranger I met in the forest would not have spoken to me thus. What have I done to oflend ?". " Joe !" said Miss Crabtree, looking reproachfully at him, " Joe, Joe !" But Wadsworth turned a deaf ear to her words ; he felt conscious of having done what was right, and with the air of one who has triumphed, he took down the Bible from the slielf, and tapping it with his knuckles, gave the signal for prayers. .Now, it happened that t]je part of the scripture 184: i:(j:.iance of the ' he was to read this morning was the 29th chapter of Genesis, wherein is related how Jacob fell in love Avith the beautiful E/achel ; and as he went on read- ing, his aunt, instead of bowing her head, eyed him closely ; then as soon as he had finished, she ap- proached, and with her mouth to his ear, " Joe," she whispered, " the godly men of old took wives, why don't you follow their example ? what ails you that you hesitate ? If you want to please me, keep straight on until you've won her." Without making any reply he seated himself at table, and the meal which followed was the quietest Lydia had known since she had come under his roof. He did not speak a word, nor hardly even eat a mouthful, and when it was over he did not light his pipe, as was his habit, but began pacing up and down the room, his hands behind him, evi- dently absorbed in meditation, while Lydia helped Miss Crabtree and the servant put away the cups and dishes. Such a proof of an industrious spirit pleased Charity beyond everything, and going up to her nephew, she again whispered : " Joe, Miss Lydia would be a sunbeam ; she'd drive away the cloud which hangs over your soul ; tain't natural to be a bachelor; one gets sour and morbid ; she thinks as you do about Independence ; why don't you go ahead and win her ?" **' A great end requires a great sacrifice," he re- CHARTER OAK. 185 plied, turning from her and resuming his walk. These words sorely troubled the old lady, who now had little doubt that his mind was becoming affect- ed, and she gave such a sigh that Prudence won- dered what could be the matter. At length the last cup was put back in its place and Lydia gazed around to see what else was to be done. But Miss Crabtree, who had read her thoughts, told her she should not do another stitch of work as long as she remained in the house. " Go," she said, " aud enjoy yourself in the li- brary ; I know you're fond of books." *' So I am," said Lydia, " and there is a map there Avhich I would like to examine again. May I go?" here she turned towards Wadsworth. " Certainly," replied the latter. Then, after a pause, and to her regret, he added that he would accompany her. The victory which he had achiev- ed over himself had given him renewed confidence in his strength, and he no longer feared to be alone with this fascinating creature. " She shall not, if I can prevent it, remain out of the fold," he said to himself. " I will give her the Assembly Catechism to read, and if she feels disposed to listen, I will endeavor to change her views about stocks and whipping-posts." As soon as the door closed behind them, Charity gave Prudence a wink, and at the same time ex- 186 EOMAIICE OF THE claimed : " What a precious flower she is ! Oh, if jou only knew how happj she'll soon be." "Without lier father?" said Prudence, "impos- sible ! Although she laughs and talks cheerfully enough, I know she is anxious to return to the log cabin, where she'd be willing to pass all her days unmarried, and among wolves and panthers, just for his sake ; and ere this week is out, she'll be begging me to go back." " Well, the Lord will bless her for keeping the fifth commandment. Oh, Prudence, if you only knew something !" " Knew what ? Do speak plain !" Her friend paused a moment. "Well, I don't suppose there's any harm in telling you," she whisjDered, " but remember, dear, it's in the strict- est confidence, and you musn't breathe a word of it to anybody." " Not a syllable. Charity, not a syllable." " Well, then, her stay here is to be a happy one: Colonel Goffe is coming to live with us. Ah ! this news astonishes you ; but it's true as Gospel ; I get it from Joe." " Oh, my, my ! The child'll jump as high as the ceiling," cried Goody Garlic. "Pray, when may we expect the old gentleman ?" " To-morrow, if this fine weather holds ; Adams CHARTER OAK. 187 was advised to bring him down the river as soon as possible." Let us now leave them talking together, and fol- low Wadsworth and his young guest into the next room As soon as Lydia had seated herself, the Captain took the Assembly Catechism off the shelf, and in a tone of authority bade her read with him a few pages. " Why, sir," she exclaimed, " I'm not yet through with Ann Bradstreet's poems, and when I am, there are other volumes in your collection more interest- ing than that one^ which, from what I have seen of it, appears dry and stupid." At these w^ords her host groaned, but mastering his indignation, he went on urging her to peruse it. " Will it do me any good,* sir ?" she asked, with a roguish smile. " Yes, Miss, the greatest good. Tell me, are you at peace here ? Is your soul at ease ?" As he spoke he placed his hand upon his breast. Lydia laughed. " My soul, sir, has never given me the least trouble — I say my prayers every night before goiijg to bed — I sleep soundly — always have pleasant dreams ; in the morning I pray again ; as for ni}- appetite, it could not be better, while melanchol}' is a thing I know nothing about. How- ever, to please you, I will read the book." 188 ROMAHUE OF THE "It would please me very mncli, for it is the bounden duty of every one who lias owned the covenant to bring into the fold those who are out of it." "Thanks, sir, for the interest you take m my welfare." Then after a pause, " I'll tell you what I'll do, Mr. Wadsworth, I'll promise to study the catechism from beginning to end, if you'll only let me off from it now, and give me instead an oral instruction in church matters ; and when you have done that, you might go on and tell me something about the government of these colonies, for Adams has never gone into details, and I have been left a great deal to my imagination." " I will," he said, placing the catechism in her hand ; " but as you value my feelings, never again call this a dry and stupid volume." The girl nodded, and her host folding his arms and leaning against the table, thus began : " I will first inform you, that the people of Hartford have not always enjoyed harmony in religious matters. In the year 1670, we divided on the question of baptism, and the consequence was the erection of a second house of worship, namely, that large edifice on the south side of Little river ; and as tlie laws of Connecticut declare that dissenters from the Congregational order, piovided they are orthodox on the fundamentals of Christianity, may live and CilAllTER OAK. 189 svorsliip undisturbed, I would not marvel if before long there were other divisions. To form a church, Miss, it is necessary that a certain number of people assemble and draw up a covenant to which they promise adherance. Let me read you a co]^y of ours : " 111 the name of our Lord God, and in obediance to His holy will and divine ortliunuces, we, whose names are here written, being by His most wise and good Providence brought together, !ind desirous to unite ourselves into one congregation or church, under our Lord Jesus Christ, our Head, in such sort as becometh all those whom He hath redeemed and sanctified unto himself : — ■ do hereby .solemnly and religiously, as in His most hely presence- promise and bind ourselves to walk in all our ways, according to the rules of the gospel ; and in all sincere conformity to His holy ordinances, and in mutual love and respect to each other, so near as God will give us grace." " Each church," he continued, "has a pastor chosen by the people, whose duty it is to break the flinty heart by his exhortations ; then we have a teacher, on whom it rests to explain and defend the doc- trines of Chrifetianity and to prepare the young for church fellowship ; we have a Ruling Elder who goeth from house to house like a good angel, keep- ing watch over the brethren and sisters-and let mo say that Israel Barebones, widely as he differs from me in regard to revolution and independence, is a model Ruling Elder. Lastly, there are two Deacons, whose duty it is to provide for the poor of the parish and manage its secular affairs. A woman may hold this office. The Church of the 190 KOMANCE OF THE Pilgrims at Amsterdam, before they emigrated, had a deaconess. I will also inform jou that we hold the right of disciplining onr members without the interference of the General Court or of a synod. As for episcopac}^, from the independent spirit of our i^eople, I venture to predict, it will never take root amongst us." Here he paused a moment, per- haps in order to give his guest time to digest what he had been saying, then went on : " The salary, of the pastor of the first meeting-house, where aunt and I worshij), is sixty pounds a year, two-thirds of which is paid in provisions and — " here another pause, for on glancing at the girl, he found her eyes fastened upon the map, which interested her now even more than the first time she had seen it. The great lakes, of which she had never yet heard any one speak, filled her with wonder ; so did the Mississippi, the Missouri, the South Sea, wdiicli was to bound the future republic on the west. She carefully noted the different settlements scattered at unequal distances from each other, between the Penobscot and the Hudson — about midway, closely grouped together, at the extremities of the rugged coast line further apart, and with tide-water reaching nearly all of them ; while the surrounding and intervening countr}^ had been dotted by the mys- terious hand which had diawn the chart with arrow heads, "as a sign," she thought, "that Indians CHAUTEU OAK. 191 roamed over it." Yes, all tliis intcrestoJ her hix more than church matters. " I will say nothing further about our religious organization," resumed the Captain, slightly frown- ing ; " I hope you have been paying attention, but from the direction of your eyes, I fear your interest has not been much excited." " Oh, I beg pardon, sir, my ears do not always follow my eyes," answered Lydia, " but since you have done talking of the Church, please tell me something about our Civil Government, which 1 have heard you remark is closely bound up with it." " With pleasure, Miss, with pleasure ; only you must pay attention. To begin, let me inform you that the charter granted to this colony, in 1662, leaves us free to make all our own laws, except such as are contrary to the laws and statutes of the realm of England ; nor does the instrument even enjoin us to take the oath of allegiance and supremacy, although two assistants were empower- ed to administer it. Being thus left to manage our local affairs, until recently, when, as you know, Andros has undertaken to rule us, we have gone far ahead of Europe in self government. The unit of our political system is the township, which draws its vitality direct from the people, who, without any ceremony, come together to discuss public matters ; 102 ROMANCE OF THE and the freemen consider it a home duty to be present at town meetings. The administrative power of the township is vested chiefly in a small number of persons, called selectmen, which name originated as follows : In 1639 the Eeverend Mr. Davenport directed the brethern who were forming themselves into a church at New Haven, to select eleven of the most godly men, as a nomination for Church pillars, that there might be no blemish in Church work. These were to choose seven among themselves, because the Proverb tells us, ' Wisdom hath hewn out her seven pillars.' Now, our civil and ecclesiastical affairs being so closely united, we have not hesitated to apply the same distinctive appellation to a civil officer of the community. The selectmen alone have the right to call a town meet- ing, but if ten voters demand one they cannot re- fuse. We also have constables to keep the peace ; a town clerk, whose business it is to record town notes, grants, births, marriages, deaths ; an as- sessor, who rates the township ; a collector, who receives the rate ; a treasurer, who keeps the funds ; a road-surveyor ; a timber measurer ; a sealer of weights and measures ; fire wards, who direct what to do in case of a fire ; one or more fence viewers, ;iiid several other officials, all chosen by the free- men, and any one refusing to accept office is punished by a fine of forty shillings." CHARTER OAK. 193 Lydia, whose attention had been closely riveted jn the speaker, here exclaimed, " how interesting !" Wadsworth gave an approving nod, then con- tinued : " After the township, the county was formed ; but as it is merely a territorial divi- sion without any political existence, and simply in- tended for the better administration of justice, I will go on and speak of the commonwealth. Our charter ordaineth that twice a year, namely, in May and October, the people shall have a chance of ex- pressing their will as a community, through repre- sentatives in an Assembly, or as it is sometimes called, a General Court. This consists of the Go\ernor, Deputy Governor, assistants and depu- ties ; twelve of the former, elected by the people at large, while the latter are chosen by the towns, three from each. With us, the two branches of the Legislature act together and are not yet divided, as in the other colonies, into separate houses. At elections, Miss, we use beans and Indian corn ; the corn signifying an affirmative vote, beans the con- trary, while to enjoy the franchise it is necessary to be twenty- one years of age, own real estate to the amount of twenty pounds, and be recommended to the General Court by the selectmen, as honest, peaceable, and of civil conversation." " Oh, how interesting," again said Lydia. " Why, 194 ROMANCE OF THE Mr. Waclswortli, it seems we already enjoy almost perfect liberty." " We do, and hence the King has taken the alarm and sent over Andros to clip our wings, lest we Hy away altogether. But now, let me go on and speak of something which is full as dear to me as my native colony. I mean the Union. You must know that as long ago as 1637, Connecticut proposed to the other Plantations that they should form a confederacy, the chief object of which should be greater security against Indians. Six years later, commissioners met from New Haven, Plymouth, Massachusetts and Connecticut, and agreed upon certain articles of union. We were to be called the United Colonies of New England ; and two freemen from each Plantation were to be appointed to look after the general defence, and such matters as concerned all." Here Wads worth opened the table drawer, and taking out a sheet of paper, read the following words of the Preamble to the articles of Confederation : " We, therefore, do conceive it our bounden duty without delay, to en- ter into a present consociation among ourselves, for mutual health and strength in all our future concernments, that as in nation and in religion, so in other respects, we be and continue One." " This," said he, " I often read over to myself, for it inspires me with hope. The old confederation was dissolved CHARTER OAK. 195 by tlie absorption of New Haven into Connecticut^ but it was revived, in 1672, by Massachusetts, Con- necticut and Plymouth, and still exists, and with God's help will prove the germ of something great- er. I regret, however, that the people do not take the same interest in it which they formerly did, the Commissioners of the United Colonies not hav- ing met since September, 1684. But, thank God, Sir Edmund Andros has arrived ! He will wake us up, and light with his own hand the fire of inde- pendence." " Yes, yes, he will," cried Lydia witli enthusiasm. " But pray, how happens it that this colony," turn- ing to the map, and placing her finger on Khode Island, " does not belong to the confederation ?" " Because, its people, always hard-hearted and conceited, preferred t(^ be by themselves. I never liked them. For years they have tried to quarrel with Connecticut about the Narragansett country, over which they wrongfully claim jurisdic- tion. I trust, however, that when the eleventh hour comes, Khode Island will not be found want- ing. Why, even in Maryland, Virginia, and down in the Carolinas ,where, last autumn, I dispatched Adams to obtain information as to the temper of the people, there are brave hearts willing to join with us in striking for independence. There is only one thing I fear, namely, that England will depose 196 ROMANCE OF THE King James and place a more liberal monarch on the throne. Thiit might spoil my game, for the freemen would then care less about separating from the mother country." " But the seed which you have sown would not perish," said Lydia ; " if your dream be not real- ized in this generation, it will in the next." " When I am under ground," sighed Wadsworth ; "oh, life is too short." " It is, sir, it is ; and how fast the years fly." A look, inexpressibly sad, now stole over the countenance of her host, who, for several minutes did not open his lips ; then glancing at his watch he remarked that it was almost noon. " Another day half gone," he exclaimed. " Yes," said Lydia, " another day half gone. In a short while I will l^e with dear father again. But never will I forget this morning's conversation, and I shall look for the visits of Mad Adams with greater impatience than ever." Had she known the joyful surprise which was in store for her, we believe, with Goody Garlic, that she would have jumped as high as the ceiling. " It must be near dinner time," she went on, rising from her chair. " Yes, it is. But before we go into tlie other room let me talk to you a little about stocks and CHARTER OAK. 197 wliipping-posts, which you seem to view with so much horror." Drawing b^vrk a step, Lyclia eyed him a moment with a saucy air, then with emphasis, " talk," she said, " to my aunt about such things ; I would rather not trouble my head with them." " She's paying me back for my gruff behavior this morning," thought Wadsworth ; " but I'll persevere and on another occasion will broach the subject, a being like her must not go astray." " But before I take another meal," continued Lydia, in a firm voice, and as if she expected some opposition, " I want to sweep this room." To her surprise, her host shrugged his shoulders and walked towards the door ; then with his hand upon the knob, he turned, and gave her a look, the meaning of which she could not fathom — while his eyebrows lowered, there was something in his expression almost pathetic. " You ma}^ stay away twenty minutes," she con- tinued, still assuming an air of authority ; "now. go." ^ He obeyed, and as he passed out, the girl made a sign to Goody Garlic, who quickly slipped hei the broom. No sooner did Miss Crabtree hear her nephew's step, than she turned from the fi}"e where she was busy preparing a stew, and with a broad grin, clapped her greasy palm on his shoulder and 198 ROMANCE OF THE told liim tliat God would bless liim for tarning over a new leaf. But Wadswortli's frown quickly dispelled her liopes. " Why tempt me, aunt ?" he said, " to swerve from the path ! why do you stand side by side with Beelzebub ?" " Lord, Joe ! what has come over you ?" cried the good w^oman, who in her anxiety paid no heed to the presence of dame Garlic. " Are you possessed ? Marry, my boy, marry ; only a wife can save you." " All flesh is grass !" was his solemn response. " Would you have me, for the sake of a woman, no matter how beautiful, jeopardize the glorious end I have in view ?" Here his aunt turned from him and wiped away a tear. During the next twenty minutes he looked several times at his watch, and as he heard the broom at work he could not help grinding his teeth ; yes, it was dreadful to think of his pens hidden in some out of the way place, the map rolled up and stowed dear knows where, per- haps in one of his boots, and every thing so arranged, that it would take at least a month to feel at home again in his sanctum. " Oh, woman, woman," he muttered, " if w^e could only do without you, but we cannot. I am like a piece of dough in the hands of this maiden, Avhom I have scarcely known forty-eight hours." At length the door opened, and Lydia with CHARTER OAK. 199 a smile invited liim to enter and see what had been accoitiplished. She might have remained and accompanied him in his inspection, had not Miss Crab tree thrown her arms about her neck and pre- vented her. "Oh, darHng," whispered the aunt, "I cannot but tliink Providence has sent you here for a wise pur- pose ; you mustn't mind any thing my Joe says to you ; he's not as cross as he looks, and his heart isn't what his tongue would make him out. You're a jewel, dear, a jewel and he knows it, and is going to make you jump for joy, in a day or two. Oh, Lj'dia, if you only knew something !" "Well, what?" said the girl, puzzled by this remark. " Oh, it's a secret, I can't tell, but you'll jump for joy, 3'ou will, you will." Wadsworth in the meanwhile, had glided into his study, and Avas darting his eyes right and left. What a change, to be sure ! The floor sprinkled with clean white sand, was a pleasure to look upon; the cobwebs in the corners had all disappeared ; the sword hanging above his boots was ever so much brighter ; the map was still unrolled on tho table ; his papers neatly sorted, and the copy of the charter Avhere it had always been. In fact, there was no fault to be found. Moreover, the window gave a great deal more light, it being no longer fly- 200 ROMANCE OF THE blown, and as lie gazed out and saw tlie hills be- yond the Connecticut, he wondered at his folly, in having for so many years deprived himself of this beautiful view. " This room was indeed a den," he said, " now it's a little paradise." Presently dinner was announced, and when Wadsworth came to the table, he looked so pleased that his aunt's top-knot could not keej) still. Twice during the meal, he paid Lydia a compliment : he told her he would allow no other person but her to enter his library, and that she was the only woman he knew who could stow things away without hid- ing them. At all this the girl laughed and made merry; but her pride was none the less gratified to see this stern man bowing before her. She had not, however, been altogether pleased by Miss Crabtree's mysterious words, when the latter had thrown her arms around her neck. " If she means," thought Lydia, that I am to be made happy by his choosing me for his wife, she'll find herself mistaken. I'd not leave father alone in the wilderness for the richest and greatest man in New England ; this very week I'll go back to the log cabin." During the afternoon Miss Crabtree proposed that Wadsworth should take his guest another ride through the town. But to her disappointment he made no answer, CHARTER OAK. 20l while the girl assured them both, she would rather go a-foot, adding that Prudence Garlic had not as yet seen any thing of Hartford, and she wanted the latter to accompany them. Now, the goodwife could not a second time plead headache, as an ex- cuse for remaining behind ; so, after Charity had pulled her nephew's sleeve, and whispered a few words in his ear, they all started off together. They had not proceeded many steps, however, before the aunt seized Dame Garlic by the arm and held her back, thus giving the Captain and the girl a chance to pass ahead. During the promenade, which ex- tended as far as Wyllys' hill. Miss Crab tree stopped at least a dozen times to chat with people, and whenever she did she would beckon to Lydia and introduce her as Prudence's niece; and it was evi- dent from the way the dame spoke that she took pride in showing off her young guest, whose tall, graceful figure and handsome countenance charmed every body. Once or twice the girl's heai?t throb- bed, as she fancied she caught a glimpse of the stranger whom she had met on her journey down the river, and w^ho had left so deep an impression upon her ; but on a nearer view she was always disappointed. Miles kept with them as far as Mr. Clark's house ; there, however, he halted, and after giving his master a stare so peculiar and full of meaning, that Lydia was struck by it, and again 202 ROMANCE OF THE declared her belief that the creature had a soul, he passed through the gate, and in a moment was scratching at the door for admittance. Wadsworth did not call the dog back, but his face became sud- denly grave, while his aunt, who was close behind told him, if she had her way she would either whip the brute to death if it persisted in going there ; " or else," lowering her voice, " I'd make Nancy take Miles back. It was an unlucky gift, Joe, and if you want to please me and turn over a new leaf, you'll get rid of your ' shadow.' " CHAPTEP VIII. Nathaniel Clark, who dwelt in the stone mansion, j^outh of Little river, was the son of one of the early settlers of Hartford. His father had belong- ed to a good family of Yorkshire, England, and in ea,/ly life had held a position of trust under the government. But having married a lady without fortune, he had crossed the Atlantic and sought a new home in Connecticut, where land was to be had for nothing, and where it would cost far less to bring up his children than in the mother country. Here his wife had borne him four sons, of whom the eldest had been named Nathaniel, after him- CHARTER OAK. 203 Belf;aud all had been o^ agreeable dispositions, excepting the first born, who when yet a mere child had taken a strange delight in telling tales on his playmates, stoning his father's turkeys, and sousing the house cat in the water barrel. So unruly did lie become, that no pedagogue was ever able to make him study, and he grew up without knowing how to write, while his reading was very imperfect. When in the course of years the emigrant's boys came to manhood, the present solid building was erected on the site of the log cabin where Mr. Clark had first dwelt, and he and his wife looked forward to spending under its roof many happy days. But one of those fearful visitations of small- pox, which, in that century, often ravaged New England, swept away the whole family, leaving only the oldest son. " How mysterious are the ways of Providence," was on the lips of every body, when they saw the least worthy spared and enjoy- ing all to himself, the fruit of his father's labor. Nathaniel's good fortune, however, did not end here ; it followed him in the matter of getting a wife, and among the maidens of Hartford he won the best, if not the most beautiful. Every one liked Nancy Briggs, and wheir the news fiew round that she had accepted him, the v/hole town was amazed. But turning a deaf ear to all that was 204 KOMANCE OF THE said against her lover, she married him, and for a number of years no couple lived in greater har- mony. But at length Mr. Clark left off going to meeting on the sabbath, and openly avowed himself a be- liever in episcopacy. He even went so far as to ex- press a hope, that the King might use his authority to foster and protect Common Prayer worship ; and when we consider that not another person in the community agreed with him, this open way of speaking proved him to be a man of no ordinary courage. His wife's entreaties were of no avail ; he not only refused to go to meeting himself but even did his best to prevent her doing so. In this however, he was not successful. But from thence- forth the good woman's life was very unhappy ; and when she died, those Avho knew her best, said it was of a broken heart. That, however, may have been only gossip ; let us do the widower the justice to declare that he spared no expense to make her funeral an imposing one, as the reader may judge from the following items : 1 barrel of Wine £6 8 2 barrels Cider 0110 82 lbs. sugar 2 10 4 dozen pairs Gloves 5 40 Moreover, when the earth was being shoveled upon her coffin, he knelt down and evinced every sign of grief. Soon after Mrs. Clark had passed to CHARTER OAK. 205 a better world, a cliange quite unaccountable came over her only offspring, Nancy, then seventeen years of age. During her mother's life time, the young woman had always accompanied her to meeting on the Sabbath and lecture days ; but now she began to absent herself, and the tithing man, whose duty it was to spy oat those who stayed away, used to see her wandering on the outer edge of the green, or perhaps along the bank of the river, while the rest of the people were at prayer. "What ails the girl?" one would ask. " Beelzebub is working at her soul," would be the suggestive response of some other busy body. " Why does not Mr. Japheth make a complaint ?" a third would say. " Alas !" would be the ruling elder's exclamation, " passing laws is easier than enforcing them ;" while Jacob Japheth, whenever he was spoken to on the subject, was sure to throw the blame on his blind eye. Little did the people know how it really stood with Nancy Clark ; how, during her lonely walks on the Sabbath, she was praying more fer- vently than many who were at meeting, and that it was in obedience to her father's wishes that she separated herself from the congregation. Nor, after her mother's death, was she ever met at any husk- ing party or quilting, and the gossips were sorely put to it for a solution of her mysterious conduct 206 ROMANCE OF THE This one would whisper one thing, that another ; while once they made so free as to ask Nancy what had come over her ; but she would not tell. Jacob Japheth, however, had an opinion of his own con- cerning the young woman, which he had imparted to nobody except Mrs. Japheth. The people had already talked enough about her, and he was not going to add his mite of gossip to theirs. " Yes," the tithing man would say to himself, " she's been jilted, and in spite of the way he beats his breast at meeting, and sings the psalms, I don't like Captain Joe for it. He thinks he was never seen with his arm round her waist, two or three years ago, on Wylly's hill. Ha, ha ! I hadn't any blind eye then, and there was a full moon shining." And so the gossips talked, but Nancy minded nought that they said about her ; she did not even know that Mr. Japheth was secretly her friend. Throughout her father's correspondence with Kan- dolph and Dudley, the young woman had acted as his amanuensis, and governor Andros had already received more than one communication in her hand- writing. Often, while thus emj^loyed, she was tempted to speak out her mind and tell him she would no longer write to those who were bent on destroying the liberties of New England. But every iiime the words had come to her lips her courage had failed, aud so she had gone on writing, CHARTEK OAK. 207 letter after letter, until now she began to see the net wliich she had helped to weave, drawing closer iiud closer about her native colony. No man of course toils without an object ; it was not pure and simple loyalty to his sovereign which caused Mr. CLiik to place himself in opposition to llie people of Hartford. No, he had an end in view which he was bent on reaching b}^ fair means or foul. Little did Nancy dream that besides a for- tune for himself, ho intended her to marry some- body with a title, at any rate a gentleman, of whom not a few had come over with the new governor ; after which th(3y might go and live in England, instead ..of am(jn ;• low-born Puritans. " Now that the old woman is dead," he would say to himself, as he paced back and forth in his room, meditating over his schemes, " the girl's career shall no longer be thwarted. I was too lenient wdien I permittted her to waste her days reading ' Cotton's Milk for Babes,' and ' The Assembly Catechism ;' those books have taken all the spirit out of her. But that's over now, and I will infuse into her some of my own ambition." The morning after Lj^dia Goffe's arrival in the settlement, this unscrupulous man stood gazing out of his parlor window, evidently in w^hat, for him, was a very genial moorl. But it was not the blue sky, nor the sunbeams streaming in upon him, nor 208 ROMANCE OF THE the rows of boxwood peeping above the snow, which filled his heart with gladness ; there w^as no poetry in his nature, not the least. He was a hard, mat- ter-of-fact being, whose head would not have turned the tenth of an inch to view the most subhme scenery on earth. " That's a fine piece of land," he kept repeating, " a fine piece of land ; too good to be devoted to the support of a school. Moreover, the town had no right to dispose of it without asking leave of the only person in New England who now has th(^ nyo and nay in such matters." Here he turned and walked to the other end of the room, then came back to the window. " But there's time enough, 'twill be six weeks yet before spring really opens; bluebirds can't deceive me, we'll have more cold weather, and I wouldn't be able to plow the field now, even if I had the deed." Then rubbing his hands, " Ha, ha !" he continued, " Captain Synnot ought to reach Boston to-morrow evening ; hell lay my petition before Sir Edmund and — ha, ha, ha ! won't there be gnashing of teeth among Joe Wads- worth's party ?" While he was thus rejoicing at the pi'ospect which opened before him, a delicate, humble look- ing female entered and approached the window where he stood. "Isn't this glorious !" she exclaimed, leaning her CHAllTEK OAK. 209 forehead against the glass, " how I love the sun ! I wish it would shine on me always, even when I'm dead ; yes, father, give me a sunny grave." Mr. Clark shrugged his shoulders and gazi^d at her with an expression, part of pity, part of wonder. " 'Tis past eight o'clock, Nancy," he said, " I had to take breakfast without you ; but then, it was after midnight when you retired ; you were a good girl to sit up so late. You conversed well, and I think he fancied you ; one of these days you'll have your reward. But, tell me, how did you like him ?" " Well, certainly I could find no fault with his looks," she answered ; " he is very handsome." " Aye, my daughter, his long wavy hair is much more pleasing to the eye than the hideous, short- cropped locks of our people. But who do you think he is?" " Why, a British officer, of course ; his uniform showed that, although before he took off his deer- skin coat, he was well disguised. Doubtless he holds a position under Andros ; he spoke as if he knew his wife." " Quite right ; Captain Synnot commands Sir Edmund's body guard, and came to Hartford for the purpose of seeing how things look. He is no cant- ing Puritan, but a true member of the Church of England." Here Mr. Clark paused, and in- 210 nOMANCE OF THE tently watclied his daughter's countenance. But Nancy was still gazing at the blue sky, and seemed to pay very little heed to these last words. "You heard him relate his adventure in the forest ?" he continued. " Yes, sir, 'twas the last thing our guest told be- fore I withdrew. Keally, I am curious to know who that girl was he rescued from the wolves." " So am I ; he spoke of her as being exceedingly beautiful." For another quarter of an hour Mr. Clark paced up and down the room, still keeping in very good humor. "Never mind," he soliloquized, *' never mind, if my daughter hasn't a comely face she'll yet be the envy of them all. T will make myself so useful to his Excellency that he'll not be able to do without me, and whatever honors he showers on me, she will share." At length he stopped, and placing his forefinger on Nancy's shoulder, '* I suppose I need'nt caution you," he said, " not to repeat anything our visitor told us about Boston and Sir Edmund ; be prudent and hold your tongue." " As you wish," she murmured, at the same time her breast heaved. " Come, come ; do not sj)eak as if you were afraid of me," exclaimed her father. " Alas, you have been spoilt by 3^our early training. Why are charteh oak. 211 you not cheerful ? Have you no enthusiasm, no ambition ? I could swear I heard you sigh a mo- ment ago. Why, Nancy, think what your future may be ! Captain Synnot is going to speak a good word for you to Lady Andros ; that ought to make your heart glad." " I was not aware, sir, I needed anything said in my behalf," replied the young woman. " Humph ! you have } our mother's obtuseness ; well, I will speak plainer. I mean that her lady- ship shall know that I have a daughter, who is anxious to serve the government, and whom I am anxious to have married to somebody of rank." At these words the young woman turned and eyed her father with a gaze steadier than he believ- ed her capable of, while an indignant flush crim- soned her brow. She had long known the base part he was playing ; how could she help but know it, since she herself had written all his letters. But that he should wish to drag her further along the path of infamy, and have her choose for a hus- band some retainer of Sir Edmund, was almost more than even her humble disposition could bear. But, alas, her timidity sealed her lips ; she knew her parent's temper, and so let another occasion go by, where she might have spoken out her mind for his good, perhaps, as w^ell as her own. " Nancy," he resumed, after rather a long silence, 212 ROMANCE OF THE "jou have played your part well thus far; only one thing is needed to make you perfect, and that is ambition. You are now twenty-three years of age, and have been wise enough to stay unmarried. There was a time when I feared Joseph Wadsworth was making an impression on you. You were right not to favor his suit, which, by the way, he had no right to begin without my leave. Help me now with all your heart and soul to better our position, and every man and woman in Hartford will look on you with env}^" At the mention of Wadsworth's name, the young woman drew herself up, and with an expression which astonished her father, " He's far above us all," she cried, " far above us all." " What, Nancy ! I thought you had long gotten over your school girl love. Tut, tut, don't prate to me about his being noble and above us all ; I won't hear it, silence." She obeyed, but despite his angry look the tears came to her eyes. " Now don't be foolish," he continued, " I never saw you act in this way before. Come, dry your tears and I'll tell you what I saw a short while ago, as I stood at the gate. It was nothing else than the Captain of the train-band riding by with a pretty gii'l behind him on the pillion. True as gospel ; and it was a sight which made me glad : CHARTER OAK. 213 men of his stamp, with fiio and brimstone under their ejel^rows, born revohitionists need wives to keep them at honie, contented with the plow and the harrow. But I fear it may be too late for any woman to stop Wadsworth ; he has already com- promised himself, judging fi'om a few words I heard Mad Adams drop at the tavern last month. Oh, T must work hard, verj' hard indeed to thwart him, or the king will have to bid adieu to these colonies." Again Nancy's face brightened. " May the Lord strengthen him, may he keep true to his vow," she said to herself ; " brave, noble Wadsworth, you will yet lead us to independence !" " I want you," resumed Mr. Clark, " to bear one thing in mind, that is, that you and I are in the same boat ; we must sink or swim together. I for- give your moody conduct during the last half hour, your tears and the foolish way you spoke of my enemy, wiio nuist and shall be your enemy too ; but you must wake up, and have more ambition. I desire you now to make the acquaintance of the girl whom I saw riding with Wadsworth ; doubtless she will know much about his plans, and you will thus be doing a great service to your king, for which Heaven will bless you." " And my country despise me !" thought Nancy, folding her arms, and again looking boldly at her father. " Never ! I'd sooner die !" '214 ROMANCE OF THE " You iiiidcrstancl me, Miss," lie concluded, " therefore begin at once, I expect an early re- 13ort." With this, he took up his hat and left the house, turning his steps in the direction of the field which he so much coveted. CHAPTEE IX. It was a clear, sun-shiny day, the fifth v/hich Lydia had spent in Hartford, and the girl was seated b}^ the window, thinking of how fond she had already become of the place ; nothing was wanting to complete her happiness, but to have her father with her. " I cannot remain away from him much longe-r," she said to herself; " no, I cannot." The hour was three in the afternoon, and since dinner she had been studying the Assembly Catechism, for her host had warned her, that he was going to examine her on it that evening ; but its dry, uninteresting matter had ended in giving her a headache, and she could not bear to read another line. " I must go out for a walk," she said, " and this time without the goodwife, or Miss Crabtree. The latter tries to keep me always under her eye, she's a perfect cat ; I do believe, she's CHARTER OAK. til 5 afraid some other man besides the Captain will speak to me." Now, this was pretty much the truth. But can we blame the aunt for wishing to secure to her nephew the possession of one so beautiful, and in every way so fitted to become his wife? The house was very quiet ; Wadsworth was in his librar}^ poring over a manuscript, which Doctor Mather had sent him from Boston ; Miles, as usual, lay sleej^ing at his feet ; while Prudence and her friend had not opened their lips for ever so long, being each dee[)l j i\hs< ubed in the other's dream-book. " If I had on my moccasins instead of these un- comfortable shoes," thought Lydia, " I might slip out without being noticed. I'll risk it, however, and if they do catch me, why what of it ? I've a right to go when and where I please." A few minutes later she might have been seen gliding out, her scarlet cloak over her shoulders, and on her head a plain, sombre-colored hood. "If the Captain wants me to take a ride," she said, laughing, " he'll have to exercise his patience and wait till to-morrow. He's deep, and bold, and original, and there are many things about him which I admire, but somehow I cannot get to like him — too cold and mysterious, not enough senti- ment. If he wants me now, he'll have to chase me. Ha, ha 1" 216 ROMANCE OF THE Pin sentlj she found herself m Mam st)i'et, which, us might have been expected on such a lovely afternoon, was crowded with people, girls and boys, grannies and old men, farmers, storekeepers, and not a few hunters, with strings of wolves' ears slung across their shoulders, and all chatting pleasantly together. Nearly every dwelling had a sled stand- ing in front of it, some of the horses pawing the snow and neighing for their masters to come ; others with heads down and ears drooping, as if they knew that they were only brutes, and that making a noise would not bring them back to their stables any the sooner. Lydia was quickly recognized by those to whom Miss Crabtree had introduced her, but instead of stopping to chat, she preferred mere- ly to return their greeting, then hastened on to- wards the old pyramid-shaped meeting-house ; for although she had several times visited it, she had not yet examined as thoroughly as she wished the graves which stood there, nor the stocks and whip- ping-post at the north-east corner of the green. When she arrived no culprit happened to be under- going sentence, so, walking up to the stocks, she endeavored to thrust her right hand through one of the holes. In this, however, she did not quite suc- ceed, but was pushing hard, when suddenly a voice, so lugubrious that you might have imagined it pro- ceeded from one of the graves l)ehind her, exclaim- ClLiKTEH OAK. 217 ed : " Eiiclily liast thou merited being placed there, Miss Garhc, but thy siu will be forgiven, for thou hast repented." We need hardly say that Lydia was startled, and looking round she beheld the tall, slender form of the ruling elder eyeing her from a little distance. "What do you mean, sir," she exclaimed, draw- ing herself up. " I mean, that thy curls were giving wide-spread scandal ; but, thank the Lord, thou hast destroyed them. Therefore, I shall not dwell upon the subject further than to say, beware of Satan ; he will dig many a pitfall in thy road to Zion." " Well, in spite of all his holes, you and I'll get there," exclaimed another voice, and glancing in the direction of the jail, Lydia saw the merry eye of Jacob Japheth, the tithing man, twinkling at her. " I watched you, Miss, trying to push your hand in the stocks, ha, ha, ha ! you didn't get through, you didn't get through." Th-en drawing closer, and lowering his voice, " did you keep e'er a one of them flutterin' you-know-whats ? some folks think they was a scandal ; but some folks is grumpy by nature, and see the devil in every ringlet on a pretty girl's head. Why, Miss, when I said my prayers that evening, after I had seen you and Captain Jo6 riding past, them 'ere you-know-whats 218 ROMANCE OF THE was dancing afore me, so I could scarce keep my eye on the Bible ; every line seemed to twist and cnrl up like one of 'em." " A pretty tithingman, indeed !" exclaimed Lydia, laughing, and at the same time shaking his hand, " to let my poor curls give such distraction." " Well, I shall never forget 'em, and never ex- pect to behold the like again. But now, to change the subject, what do j^ou think of him ?" As he put the question, Israel Barebones edged up closer and placed his hand to his ear. "Think of whom?" " Oh, 3'ou know, Miss ; ain't he wise ? ain't he original ?" " Are you speaking of Mr. Wadsworth ?" " Why, of course, and you may as well be frank about it ; the cat's already out of the bag." " A most godly man," put in the ruling elder, " and I join brother Japht th in congratulating you ; the Captain needs a wife to settle him down and keep him from brooding so much over the political condition of the countr3^" " Yes, yes, a wife would give him other things to worry about," pursued the tithing man. " Well, really," exclaimed Lydia, blushing, yet at the same time hardly able to repress a laugh, " methinks you are both making very fi'ee with 9, piece of impertinent gossip," CHARTER OAK. 219 '* 'Tis known by every body," rejoined Mr. Ja- plietli ; " nothing else is talked about, and we're all so glad, for Captain Joe's a great favorite, and we -want to see his name handed down. Yet " here he stopped and shook his head. " It wasn't, right," he murmured, " she was his first choice; no, it wasn't right ; poor Nancy Clark !" " And that's why he's getting up a husking party; the first he's given in years," said Mr. Barebones, not noticing the grave look of his friend. "A husking party '? Strange I've heard nothing about it," said Lydia ; " that shows what propor- tions gossip can take." " But it's true, I got it from good authority; per- haps he wants to keep it a secret, and so take you, Miss, by surprise." Here the regicide's daughter burst into a hearty laugh ; then telling them that she could not lose any more time listening to their nonsense, betook herself to the rear of the meeting-house. She had been there only a short while examining the mounds without headstones, and wondering what poor strangers might be lying beneath, when her attention was drawn to a young woman ap- proaching from Main street, with a wreath of ever- green slung over her arm; her eyes were cast upon the ground, and her whole appearance was that 220 ROMANCE OF THE of one familiar with care and sorrow. Presently she stopped at Mrs. Clark's grave, then kneeling down, placed the wreath upon it. Lydia's feelings were moved, and walking up, she stood reverently by until Nancy had risen ; then, without waiting to introduce herself, she threw her arms about her neck and gave her a kiss. " I know we are strangers to one another," she said, in answer to the other's look of astonishment, " but that makes no difference, we shall be friends." " Always," said Nancy, who took in at a glance the fullness of Lydia's generous nature, " always." " Are you not Miss Clark V" pursued the regicide's daughter. "I am, and pray ." Here she suddenly checked herself, for she had recognized in her new acquaintance the very person whom her father was desirous she should meet. " No," she murmured, " I will not even ask her name — I will not play the " I am staying at Mu. Wadsworth's," continued Lydia, " and " " Yes, yes, I know it," said Nancy, interrupting her ; " I saw jon and him ride past my house a few days ago." With this the young woman bowed her head, while the other wondered what she was thinking about, and why the expres- CHARTER OAK. 221 sion of her facn grew so sjul. DmiiiL; tlie next minute, what thoughts passed through Nancy's mind, what memories were awakened ! — the moon- light walks around Wylljs' hill ; those hours of bliss which for her at least were n(ner to return. Yet, not once had she blamed AVadsworth for his vow ; no, not once. She had felt that by keeping him true to it she would be a sharer in his glory ; the Lord would bless them both and give freedom to their native land. But what was this gossip now flying from mouth to mouth ? " I do not believe it," she murmured, at the same time gazing affectionate- ly at Lydia ; "he pledged himself to the xVlmighty never to marry ; to swerve from his vow would jeopardize his soul ; I will pray for him ; yet I do not believe it — no, no." In Nancy's heart there entered not one spark of jealousy ; if anything, she pitied Lydia. " Wads- n-orth," she said to herself, " is a man to be loved ; ne may allow himself to be carried away for awhile by my friend's beauty, but in the end, if she loves him, there is grief in store for her — he will keep his vow." % Presently they took each other's hand and wend- ed their way among the graves, whose quaint epitaphs amused Lydia ; while Nanc}^ as Wads- worth had already done, read aloud the inscription on the tomb of the Reverend Samuel Stone. They 222 ROMANCE OF THE fclien crossed tlie green and re-entered Main street, where thej found the tithing man and the ruling elder talking to a group of people who stared as they went by, and from the way Mr. Barebones dropped his Yoice, Lydia felt certain she had been the subject of his remarks. " An odd couple," she said. " Well, they are both a little peculiar," replied Nancy, " yet very good men. Israel Barebones is thought by some folks to be too scrupulous ; night and day he worries about what others are doing, and it almost kills him \^hen any body wanders out of the path of righteousness. Mr. Japheth in this respect is altogether diiferent ; he seems as if he couldn't frown or look gloomy if he tried, and lets folks do pretty much as they please. Yes, his blind eye is often the sinner's friend." " Well I prefer him a thousand times over !" ex- claimed Lydia ; " give me sunshine nnd a cheerful face always ; he reminds me of some one whom no doubt you know, for he lives in Hartford — Simon Adams." " Know Mad Adams ? I should think I did — as good a fellow as ever breathed. FTe now keeps the Bunch of Grapes, and although 'tit^ his first season at the business, ewery body is satisfied with his management ; no brawls occur tliere any more, while at nine in the evening the tavern is closed cii \i;teii oak. 223 As for getting iii ou the Sabbath, jirnW have to squeeze through the key hole." " I am gkid he has a better way of earning a livehhood then huntmg wolves," said Ljalia. " So am I ; but I fear he won't stick to it ; ha has led such a wandering life that it is difficult for him to settle down. Indeed, I am afraid he's at this very moment off on one of his wild expeditions. He disappeaed a couple of weeks ago, trusting the Ordinar}^ to a friend, and I hear he is not back yet, nor does any body seem to know which way he went. Alas ! he cannot do without excitement." " Well, he is no fonder of it than my host, into whose soul this peaceful, monotonous life is eating like rust." " True ; but a day is coming when Wadsworth's patience and pains will be rewarded ; wait till the drum beats to arms, then the world will know him !" Here Lydia glanced at the speaker, whose cheek had suddenly become flushed with excitement, and as the girl watched her she remembered how the Captain of the train-band, when she had ridden with him past Mr. Clark's house, had sighed and urged on his steed. What did it mean ? What mystery was there between him and her friend ? "But pray, where did you make Adam's acquain- tance ?" said Nancy, her face once more resuming its habitual pallor. 224 ROMANCE OF THE " At my lioine, which he occasionally visits." " Oh, indeed !" With this the young woman changed the subject. Her natural curiosity might have prompted her to ask where Lydia's home was, but she had resolved to obtain no information, which her father by any cross- questioning might contrive to worm out of her. " How do you like the Captain's shadow ?" she continued. " I mean his dog Miles." " As much as he likes me ; we are already fast friends." " Well, 'twas I gave him to Wadsworth." Here Nancy sighed. Just then they heard the sharp, joyous bark, which no other dog in town possessed, and looking round they spied Miles running to- wards them as fast as he could. In another mo- ment he had reached them, then placing himself in front of Nancy he gave her one of his strange looks. " I do believe he's trying to speak," saM Ljdia. " Yes," replied her companion, " no othe^ ditmb animal ever stares at me in this way." " I suspect he was seeking you, not me," pur sued Lydia ; " does he often leave his master ?" " About once a month he comes to our house and scratches at the door till I let him in. He is an original.'* •* like the Captain," said Lydia. CHAliTEli OAK. 225 " Yes, you're right. Mr. WadsAVortli is diftereiit from other men. Oh, what a great soul ! Alas ! that he and father should be enemies !" " Well, that need not hinder you paying me a visit before I leave the settlement, and I'll certainly eome to see you." Nancy shook her head. " In a few moments," she sighed, " we will reach my home, but 1 dare not invite you to enter it, since you are the guest of one whom he hates." "I will go in, however; I'm not afraid," answer- ed Lydia. " Surely, in your company Mr. Clark would not offer me an insult." " Well, as you hke, but you must not take offence if I do not return the visit ; I am no favorite with Miss Crab tree." Soon they were at the house, and as Nancy opened the door, a nervous feeling seized her. What if her father should be at hom-e ? " Suppose he questions me about my companion," she thought, " what can I tell him ? Will he believe me when I say that I neither know who she is nor where she comes from ?'"' The young woman determined, how- ever, rather to brave his auger than win the confi- dence of Lydia, only to make a base use of what she might discover. The building which they entered was not as cold and gloomy as it appeared from the outside ; on 226 ROM.VNCE OF THE the contrary, once across the threshold, it wore a cheerful aspect. To the left of the hall was a.ca,- pacious room with clean, whitewashed walls, and no ears of corn, bunches of catnip, or pumpkins dangling overhead, as in Wadsworth's abode. The chimney was smaller than that of Lydia's host, but a bright fire w^as burning on the hearth, and the desk and writing-table in the centre of the apartment showed that it was used both as a study and parlor. What first attracted the girl's atten- tion was a portrait of King Charles the First, a gift, as Nancy informed her, from President Dudley. But the regicide's daughter was not told, for her friend did not know it herself, that it was likewise a reward for a secret service which Mr. Clark had rendered the government. " But come," exclaimed Nancy, seizing her arm, " come up to my bed-room ; I want to show you my flowers; Miles as you perceive has left our heels and is no doubt w^aiting for us there." Sure enough, on mounting the staircase, they found him lying on the mat before the door, thump- ing his tail as if he w^ere keeping time to their foot- steps. The chamber into which Lydia was ushered was small and cozy, and the rays of the sun, which were streaming in, gave it a warmth and cheerful- ness such as no artificial light can ever impart. By the window stood a few flower-pots, c