Jasper County Democrat, Volume 17, Number 11, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 May 1914 — A ROMANCE OF THE LONG AGO [ARTICLE]

A ROMANCE OF THE LONG AGO

An Episode of the Time of Cromwell. f

During the reign of the protector in England John Gaunt, a cavalier who had been very prominent in hi§ fidelity to his king, was hunted by the Puritans. He was but twenty years old, or white and red complexion amR with very handsome dark eyes. These, with the long locks worn by the cavaliers, rendered it easy for him to disguise himself as a girl. When hard pressed by Cromwell’s troopers he took refuge in a peasants cottage where there were several maidens and/making up a costume from among them, braided his hair and when sought for at the cottage appeared as one of the peasant’s daughters. It happened that they were loyalists. But John Gaunt knew not what to do with himself. He could not live openly under his true name and sex, nor was the way clear for him to go to France. As a temporary makeshift he determined to go to work as a servant. There was a young widow whose father and husband had been killed in the king’s defense, Lady Esther Riall. Gaunt went to her house, among others, and had the good fortune to be engaged as housemaid, but so marked was the impression he made on Lady Esther that he was transferred to her as her own waiting maid. Here was a complication. Gaunt could think of no excuse to offer why lie should not serve in such capacity without revealing bis sex, yet it-would be highly dishonorable to do so. When the same evening his mistress called upon him to assist her to disrobe Ire confessed that he was no peasant maid, but John Gaunt, heir to an earldom, a fine old English confiscated estate and in danger of losing his head Lady Esther permitted Gaunt to remain in her service, performing only such duties as were proper for him to perform, though in case lie were caught thus befriended it would go hard with his protector. There were many royalists in hiding' and Cromwell busied himself hunting them Ont and getting rid of them that they should not con tribute to the instability of his government. The officer of the troop who had got on Gaunt’s tracks, a red headed. I’ufi.tan who could sing pSalms louder and in more guttural tones than any man in England, made a vow that be would find him and turn him in at the Tower of London or live forty days on bread and water. But weeks passed while the man he sought was serving the Duly Esther. One day one of the peasant girls from whom Gaunt had borrowed his costume came to the Iliall manor house to tell him that he had been betrayed and that the troopers were coming to take him. She had run across country, thereby shortening the distance Gaunt ran up to Lady Esther’s room for a farewell before an arrest which seemed inevitable. Opening a door concealed by tapestry, she revealed a space only deep enough for him to stand upright.

“Pull this cord,” she said hastily, “and you will open a ventilator which will give yon air. As soon as the troopers are gone press this spring, and the door will open of itself. But before coming out be sure there is no danger, for if you are found here it will be not only your ruin, but mine.” Gaunt stepped into the opening, and the Lady Esther closed the tapestry door with a click. A few minutes later the troopers rode up to the house. The red headed Puritan dismounted and tramped in’and upstairs, lie was met by Lady Esther. He made known to her the object of his visit and was in vited to search the house. Meanwhile his men had surrounded the premises so that the man they sought should not get away. The otttcer went from room to room, exploring every cranny and corner, thrusting his sword here and there, but found no one, and if lie stabbed any one the victim made no cry. Finally he came to Lady Esther's room, where she haul remained the while. “I have had positive information.” he said, “that John Gaunt, claiming to be Earl of-Carrensford, is serving you as lady's maid. You are hiding him. 1 give you the choice to surrender him or go with me to the Tower to await the pleasure of the lord protector.” “If the earl is here it is for you to take him. As for me, here is the protector's safeguard for me and my estate.” She drew a paper duly signed and sealed by England's ruler. The officer read it. turned on his heel and went tramping down the staircase. By this time John Gaunt had been in his narrow standing place for nearly an hour. Lady Esther ran to open the door An inanimate body fell against her. She thought him dead. A glance at the cortl that opened and shut the ventilator. which lay in a heap on the floor of the compartment, told her that it had broken and that the prisoner had been suffocating. She threw up a sash, opened and 'dosed his arms, chafed him and threw water in his face. Seeimr a faint tinge of. color; she persevered and at last revived him “Why did you not open' the-door?” she asked. “And betray yon?"' Such c.g:d:r I fixed forever the love of the /bung widow. John Gaunt finally escaped, toTnuny. t" return : iter a number Of with Cliariesc 11. at the restoratio;/ Hes title and estates were rotur.i, d to t|im.o>nd he led to the altar t'l idy Esther Rial!.