FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 1932. VERNONIA EAGLE, VERNONIA, OREGON PAGE FOUR WILDERNESS . ¿4 Tale uf the beginning \ ofa/\éur faifland $ ly IRVING BACtlELLER At a quarter of ten they set out for the prison led by a servant tn uniform with »word and halberd. "This man Is deaf—very deaf," said the governor. "There nre times when I need such a servant. He Is a most respectable looking creature and he understands every movement of my hand. I shall send him into the room with you and Robert. You can talk freely. He will not hear you.” Peggy wus shown to a room be­ yond the warden’s office where prisoners were brought to see their counsel nnd .......................... their friends. The servant stood erect In a corner. Ills halberd at his side. Robert en- tered. lle was pule nnd thin but still as straight as an arrow. The two met In the middle of the room and embraced each other. For a moment neither spoke. "I thought that I would bo brav­ er than this." said Peggy as she wiped her eves. "Come, let us sit down together.” In a cheery tone she told him of William's refusal to plead and of his confinement, of the testl- mon.v against him, of the circum­ stances that led to bls relense, of the humiliation of the hempen rope, of his courageous conduct which had won the admiration of the community, of the growing con­ viction that he, Robert 1 leathers, was guilty because he liad fled from the Jurisdiction of the court and refused to return to It, of Wil- Ham's going with Captain Mason to tight against the Pequots. “Now I am to be your lawyer and for once In your life I slinll ask you to obey my wishes.” said Peggy, “You will be brought Into court tomorrow. You will of course plead Hint you are not guilty, I think that I know of evl- deuce that will delay action until It can be produced in court. T have seen men fail so often there that I am going to see what a woman can accomplish with those sturdy, iron magistrates. Their wives have no trouble in managing them.” ‘‘I had already determined to plead Hint I am not guilty,” said Robert. ‘‘I suppose that they will hang me. I saw my fate in those stern faces on the bench. Well. T have suffered so many terrors that dying seems easy, and then T have learned one tiring from the red men. It Is fortitude. I have seen one of them die twenty deaths without a murmur!” Peggy held Iris hand In hors and said: ‘‘Whatever happens tomor­ row after you have pleaded, hold your peace and let no word pass your Ups. For once—Just once—I must do all the talking. I wish that I could sit with you the whole night, but we must both seek our rest and the governor is waiting for me.” So this meeting of lovers came to Its end. Preceded by the digni­ fied halberdier, Peggy walked with the governor to bls house, where she spent the night. They were an hour by the fireside discussing the strange eventful story with details known only to them nnd lavin’ their plans. The governor wr< e note to Porman. The maid, who brought her night clot lies and helped her to bed, was told to awake her at seven nnd bring her sop and beer. So Peggy was up betimes and on her way to the house of Rev. Phil­ ander Porman. She had worked with him tn the new school for the children of the poor, lie was a learned man of rare Insight, who was fond of Peggy nnd knew of her devotion to Robert, lie had given her friendly counsel. Lately he hnd told Iter of knowing a new witness In the famous adultery case who would, he felt sure, change the complexion of the whole matter. He had been alone by the bedside of Mabel Hartley when she died and had taken her last con­ fession. Therein the name of the witness wns disclosed. Peggy was the only person who hnd shared his confidence in this matter. Peggy found him In his study and was heartily welcomed. She told Per- man of the arrival of Robert and of his great peril from Imsty ac­ tion. She delivered the note from Governor Vane. •‘Rut now the deputies have to be reckoned with,” said Porman. •‘They like to curb the severity of the magistrates.” -Still Robert “ Is n hated arlsto- crat. I hope tn engage their sym- pa thy. But I dare not Ro to court without the help you cnn give me.” -I)p you wish me to go to the witness chair?” “Not yet. But I would like a written statement, signed by you. regarding the new witness- some thing that will give strong support to my plea for the delay we need to find him and bring him into court. Do you know where he Is?" “Yes, and 1 think that we could bring him here within a week, shall need a trusty messenger." "You shall have Amos Todkill.' “Send him to me," said Porman as he sat down at Ids desk and began to write. Soon he rend to Peggy the letter which he had addressed to the magistrates, deputies and assist ant» of ths court of colony of Mas ■achusetts Bay. It was an ad mtrable letter of a temperate and The girl was convincing tone, pleased with It. She went tn the Inn to find Aim* Todkill. They told her that he had gone to the prison. She found him sitting alone on the prison steps, his head resting on Ids hands. He arose and came to her with a sad look in his face. “Oh, miss! I'm all wilted down like an empty sack throwed on the ground," he said sorrowfully. "Cheer up, man," said Peggy. “They cannot hang him. I am go­ ing to defend with good evidence.” Amos bowed, his hat In bis hand, and then looked at her face: “The candle o' the Lord Is in yer soul,” lie said, “1 can see the slilne o’ It In yer eyes, I reckon that's why Robert loves ye so.1 "How do you know that he loves me?" Peggy asked. “Good Lord o' mercy, gal I If he hadn't hnd hold o' that little hand o’ yours do ye think he could 'a' hopped Into hell und clini' out ag'in? Every day he were thlnkln’ o’ you. Ye know when a man Is sick and sufferin' it’s a right smart help for his mind to have a cud like that to chaw on.” "Thanks, Amos! I wouldn’t have missed hearing that. I have come to tell you that I need your help. Go to Rev. Philander Porman, who lives in Church lane. He will send you to find a new witness for Rob­ ert. Bring him to me as soon as you can. Here Is money.” Many people were on their way to the courthouse. When she ar­ rived there its seats were tilled and the area behind them was crowded. She entered the space near tlie throne of Justice reserved for prisoners, officers of the court and counsel. She sat down. The grave-faced magistrates. In black robes and broad white collars, en­ tered, followed by the assistants and deputies. Two constables came with the prisoner. The court was called to order. Robert Heathers was arraigned and asked to plead, lie declared that he was not guilty. Governor Vane said: “Before we proceed with this trial there Is one here who lias asked for the priv­ ilege of addressing the court nnd presenting a communication relat­ ing to Important evidence lately discovered bearing on the point at issue. We will now give our at­ tention to Miss Weld." Peggy Wold arose and bowed. She was dressed in sober black with a white collar and snowy lace beneath her throat and on her wrists. The costume was cunning­ ly chosen. It was the right acces­ sory for her color and her beauty and the singular charm of her manner. In n moment all those stern-faced men were deeply Inter­ ested. With a modest bearing and a voice filled with the music of a sincerity she won their sym- Wliat she said is In the records of the court: "Gentlemen, not long ago we were all Impressed by the eloquent words of our governor when he spoke of the peril of haste in seek­ ing ’ustice. when he told how our fafhera had been wronged by hasty judgment» Inspired by bitter feel­ ing and carried out with an tm- perfect knowledge of the I truth Remembering those words ------- I now ask you for a brief delay in these proceedings. I ask It not because the prisoner Is my lover, not be- cause bls life Is dearer to me even than my own, but because I have discovered new evidence which may save you from an error the consequence of which, In ruined lives and afflicted conscience, you could never repair. I have the honor ot bringing to your minds a communication from one whom you all know and respect—Rev. Philander Porman." She read the letter: " ‘To the magistrates, assistants and deputies of the General court, Gentlemen: I had not thought that it would ever be necessary for me to address you as I now do. But the time has come when I must tell you that I know who was guilty of adultery with Mabel Hartley on the night of October twelfth. He is not either Robert Heathers or the beloved William Along the Concrete I grain on thousands of acres | without danger of oversupplying Little Promise Seen in Late Crop the local northwest market. Seed flax has an assured market in Opportunity in Gras* Seed, Portland and will do well when properly cared for on much wes- Clover, Corn, Flax tern Oregon land. COLUMBIA FARMERS the white man. The colony had given them no cause of 111 will. The battles at their well-built fort on Mystic river, In the swamp and at the last stronghold of the tribe on a hilltop above the Pequot river, were a stern lesson to the wild men of the forest. No other was needed for nearly half a cen­ tury. Of the heroic conduct of William Heydon one may read In Mason’s own account of the campaign, how he cut the bowstring ot a savage aiming at his commander from a point so close that the arrow would no doubt have done serious dam age. It was fighting hand to hand and face to face. His sword flashed at Mason's side as swift as a cat's foot and many fell before it. The victorious company re- turned to Boston three days after Peggy Weld had changed the plans of the general court. In his re­ port to the governor Captain Ma­ son declared that his life had been saved by William Heydon who •'from the beginning to the end of the campaign had behaved in the fashion of a hero.” The new-won fame of the young man quickly spread from house to house. A committee of the leading citizens went to his home to express their appreciation. It did not find him. Margaret Hooper reported that he had gone to the prison to see his friend, Robert Heathers. It Is only known that the young men spent an hour together In the room where Peggy had sat with Robert. Dusk was falling and the beacons were aglow when William came away and wulked to his home. What She Said I, In the Records of the Court. possibilities of profitable ex­ EARLY SPUDS LOOK vide pansion in many sections. Corn BETTER THIS YEAR could replace potatoes or spring Heydon. He is quite another In dividual. I know a witness to his misbehavior who cun, I hope, be brought here within a week or so. “ 'With deep respect 1 am “ 'Your obedient servant, “‘Philander Porman.'" Peggy sat down. Her plea for time was granted. There was a great stir In the crowd as the peo­ ple began to leave their seats. The governor beckoned her to the bench and whispered: “Well done." John Winthrop shook her band (Continued Next Week) and the stern Dudley smiled as he looked down upon her. Bishop George Edward Epp, D. This modest maiden had become a toast and a theme in the colony. D., Rev. F. B. Culver, district superintendent of the Portland district of the Evangelical church, and Rev. C. P. Gates, district sup- William Return» From the War erintendent of the Salem district, and Is Praised for Heroic were guests at the home of Rev. Conduct. HE Pequot Indians had fallen and Mrs. G. W. Plumer last week. CHAPTER XIV T on the English settlers in Con­ necticut and slain men and women as they worked In the fields. John Tilly had been ambushed and slain on the fresh water river. A whole family In that valley had been massacred. It all came of an an­ cient grievance when Thomas Hunt, an Irresponsible man, seized twenty-seven Inoffensive Pequots In 1614 and took them away In the hold of Ills ship and sold them as slaves. It wes a grievance against TAX ASSESSMENTS MADE IN COUNTY Assessing in various parts of Columbia county began March 1, according to Fred J. Watkins, county assessor, who states that five men are working in farming communities. T. W. Tandy will have charge of the work in Marshland and vi­ cinity; Donald Parcher will make assessments in Mayger, Rainier, and vicinity; Caly Sherman will cover the communities of Yank­ ton, Deer Island, and Columbia City; H. T. Bennett has been given the neighborhoods of Bach- elor Flat and Warren and J. G. Watts will visit homes in Scap- poose and vicinity. Owing to sharp reductions in various county expenses by the levying board, the amount to be raised by tax for 1931 expenses is only $702,310.20 as compared to $1,008,199.11—a difference of over $250,000. Levies in the various cities and towns of the county show a re­ duction from the levies of 1929 and 1930. The greatest difference is shown in the Vernonia levy which dropped from 93.7 in 1930 to 56.1 in 1931. The lowest levy is that of Columbia City with 39.4; St. Helens is next with 42.1 as compared with 65.8 for 1930; Goble has 43.0 for 1931 as compared to 48.8 for 1930. Scap- poose levy will be 47.0; that of Clatskanie is 59.8; Rainier shows the highest levy in the county with 62.9, which is a reduction from 69.7 in 1930. —St. Helens Sentinel. It used to be said that the way MAY LOWER TAXES to grow high priced potatoes was to plant cheap ones—as most “There will probably be a re­ farmers -- do « just --------- --- the --- opposite— i ciassuicution classification ui of vuiumuiu Columbia vvuiiuy county but such doesn’t appear to be lands as the direct result of Sat. the case this “ ‘ year, warns — E. -- — R. urday’s meeting with the mem­ Jackman, crops specialist at O. bers of the State Tax Commis­ S. C„ in reviewing this season’s sion,” was the opinion of O. Hen­ crops outlook. Every indication "’ou” commenting on Satur- points to poor prices on late po- ! day>s meeting .