True Stories from History and Biography

outs, races up and down the staircase, overturning of chairs, and much other uproar, began to feel the quiet and confinement within doors intolerable. But as the rain came down in a

e, the Midsummer Night's Dream. Clara was making a rosary of beads for a little figure of a Sister of Charity, who was to attend the Bunker Hill Fair, and lend her aid in erecting the Monument. Little Alice sat on Grandfather's foot-stool,

a good deal of interest. Often, in a young child's ideas and fancies, there is something which it requires the thought of a lifetim

to hear more about

ht it worth while to tell another story, merely to gratify such an inattentive auditor as Charley. But Laurence laid down his book and seconded the request. Clara dre

ther spoke of the famous Hugh Peters, a minister of the gospel, who did much good to the inhabitants of Salem. Mr. Peters afterwards went back to England, and was chaplain to Oliver Cromwell; b

he good man has spent many a studious hour in this old chair, either penning a sermon, or reading some abstruse book of theology, till midnight came upon him unawares. At that period, as t

t room to repeat. One incident, however, which was connected with his life, must be related, because it will

RED

to visit him. As the clergy had great influence in temporal concerns, the minister and magistrate would talk ove

Cross, though a holy symbol, was abhorred by the Puritans, because they considered it a relic of Popish idolatry. Now, whenever the train-band of Salem was mustered, the soldiers, with Endicott at their head, had no other flag to march under than th

hristian man's heart, to see this idolatrous Cross flying over our heads. A stranger beholding it, would think that we ha

hristian should. For mine own part, were it my business to draw a sword, I should reckon it sinful to

of the Red Cross. Endicott, who was a prompt and resolute man, soon determined that Massachusetts, i

n upon their breasts and at their backs, and gorgets of steel around their necks. When the sun shone upon these ranks of iron-clad men, they flashed and blazed with a splendor that bedazzled

pon their heads and breasts. They were all devoted Puritans, and of the same temper as those with whom Oliver Cromwell afterwards overthrew the throne of E

hand, holding his drawn sword in the other. Probably he addressed them in a speech, and explained how horrible a thing it was, that men, who had fled from

upon it. But whether or no it be treason to man, I have good assurance in my conscience that it is no treason to God. Wherefore I have reso

to the crown of England, a captain was found bold

ouble upon himself and them. An account of the matter was carried to King Charles; but he was then so much engrossed by dissensions with his peo

was ended, "whether, when Endicott cut the Red Cross out of the bann

d Grandfather; "but I doubt whether he had given the matter much consideration, except in its religiou

illiams, and of other persons who sat in the grea

g