The news of Miss Lyford's arrest, and the disclosure of her real
name, produced a deep sensation in the community. The victims of this
delusion had been hitherto taken from the lower walks of life, and this
first attack upon the high places of society, while it shocked the
feelings of many, served to reconcile the populace to the action of the
courts, as it indicated that no influence of wealth or standing would
be allowed to protect the guilty from punishment. Such was the state of
the public mind, that except among Mary's immediate friends, no effort
was made, or contemplated, for her deliverance. The sin of witchcraft
was of too deep a dye to be forgiven; and the common doctrine was,
that religion itself must turn away from such deadly foes to God and
man. When the warrant was served, she was immediately removed from
her friends, and placed in the care of an officer, who was directed to
furnish an upper room in his house for her reception, and to guard her
with ceaseless vigilance. There was little occasion for this warning,
for the officer, whose name was Harris, would have thought himself
bound over to perdition, had he suffered any prisoner in charge for a
crime so enormous, to escape. All access to Miss Lyford was forbidden,
except to her brother and Mr. and Mrs. Ellerson, who, assured of
her innocence, did not scruple to express to the officer the utmost
indignation and horror, at the violence thus done to one of their own
family.
It was scarcely possible to realize the change which the period of
a single month had produced. The whole affair of Mary's arrest and
confinement seemed so like a dream, that they could hardly persuade
themselves of its reality. But in a short time they saw the full extent
of her danger, and had little doubt her death would be demanded by the
populace, and that the court, whatever might be its wishes, would not
dare to refuse the victim. The kind of evidence which was then current
and considered valid, was so completely interwoven with every feature
of her case, that her guilt, in the public view, was already proved.
In these circumstances, Mr. Ellerson and his lady forbore to excite
the populace, by public denunciation; but in their own circle of high
respectability and influence, they were loud in their demands for her
release, and insisted that some sinister motive had betrayed her into
the toils of the accuser.
Lyford had accompanied his sister to the jailer's room, where he
provided every convenience which the rough and superstitious keeper
would allow. For several days before her arrest, Mary had been prepared
for the worst; and she calmly resigned herself into the hands of the
law, to await an issue, which she from the first apprehended would be
fatal. There was no visible emotion in her countenance, but a deep
melancholy had fallen upon those lovely features, which in their mild
and beautiful, yet pensive and solemn aspect, would have excited in any
heart, not steeled by fanaticism, the liveliest interest and sympathy.
No ray of light could penetrate the cloud that shaded her earthly
hopes, and her spirit was now struggling to free itself from worldly
ties, and to move in a calmer region, beyond this stormy and distracted
world.
The next day after Mary's arrest, Lyford returned to Boston, to
communicate the tidings to Walter, and prevent any rash or violent
measure, to which his vehement temper might prompt him. No language
can describe his feelings, when the facts were disclosed by Lyford;
but the strong excitement of his mind was soon subdued by the calm
remonstrances of his friend, who assured him that every thing depended
on coolness and deliberation. Walter immediately laid upon himself the
most severe restraints, and while he vowed to effect her deliverance,
or perish in the attempt, he soon became so entirely the master of his
own feelings, that no perceptible change was visible in his deportment.
His first impulse was to proceed directly to Salem; but Lyford
convinced him that such a step would be worse than useless, as he would
not be permitted to see Mary, and it might throw serious obstacles in
the way of her escape. It was therefore concluded he should remain at
home, and that no interview with Mary should be attempted, but through
the medium of her brother.
The trial of Miss Lyford took place about the middle of July. Several
witnesses were examined, whose testimony was considered conclusive of
her guilt. Clarissa, Mr. Ellerson's servant, testified to the strange
influence she exerted over her, and even in court took care to exhibit
one of those remarkable fits of agitation and nervous excitement,
which were universally satisfactory to the judges. Another witness
declared she had seen Miss Lyford walking alone in the neighborhood of
the forest, and that mysterious voices were heard in the woods, and
unearthly music, and she remembered and repeated some lines, which
intimated that she had consented to become one of a band of spirits, on
account of which, she was soon to be crowned queen of a new kingdom,
and to receive an untold amount of riches. Other testimony of a similar
character was produced, but Trellison took care not to appear in the
case; he did not choose to involve himself in unnecessary difficulties,
and was probably aware that revenge for his known disappointment might
be assigned as a motive for his testimony, and thus defeat the great
object he had in view.
Such was the nature and amount of the evidence, it was scarcely
possible to expect an acquittal. The examination was indeed prolonged,
beyond the usual time, perhaps with a view to give some notion of the
lenity of the court; but when the case was given to the jury, they
scarcely hesitated, and when the verdict was demanded, it was with a
bolder voice than usual, that the foreman pronounced the fatal word,
"Guilty!" There was a deep solemnity and silence in the thronged court
room, though little sympathy was manifested for the unoffending and
beautiful maiden, whose fate was now so certain. The public frenzy had
sealed the fountains of compassion, and the judge soon after pronounced
sentence of death, to be executed on the twentieth of the following
August.
We have not yet spoken of the demeanor of Miss Lyford, during this
fearful period. Suffice it to say, it was calm and dignified, worthy
her illustrious descent, and adorned by every christian virtue. Her
confidence was not in man; and though her ties to life were of the
strongest character, she could contemplate death without dismay. The
shock attending the trial and sentence was indeed great, but the gospel
was present to her aid with its well-springs of consolation, its life
of immortality, and 'its exceeding weight' of future and eternal
glory. Her eye of faith looked beyond the tempests of that awful night,
whose fearful horrors thickened over her, and beheld the rising day of
celestial glory.
The friends of Mary now sought from Gov. Phipps, through the kind
offices of his lady, the executive clemency: but the faint hope they
entertained of a pardon, soon died away in total despair. Sir William
absolutely refused to interpose, and his purpose was strengthened
by his knowledge of her name and descent, which were more odious to
him, if possible, than her imputed witchcraft. But when it came to
be announced that the young lady hitherto known as Miss Graham, was
a relative of the venerated Goffe, a feeling of sympathy and pity
was strongly and generally manifested; but its public exhibition was
soon hushed by a sense of personal danger; every one was too deeply
concerned for himself, to bestow much solicitude upon the fate of
others.
Other methods were now adopted, and high rewards were offered in
private, to bold and adventurous men, if they would procure her escape
from prison: but no one could be found of sufficient courage to make
the effort. Walter then attempted to bribe the jailer; but that
resolute officer would not be tampered with. He was too much concerned
for his own soul, he said, to suffer a witch to escape. He redoubled
his vigilance; other sentinels were also placed on guard, and no access
to Miss Lyford was permitted, except an occasional visit from James,
who now spent all his time at Salem; and even this boon was with great
difficulty obtained.
On these occasions, James bore to his sister the most affecting
memorials of Walter's continued love, and assured her of his belief
that some way of escape would yet open, and that all his time and
thoughts were employed in devising plans for her deliverance. Mary,
however, placed little reliance on such deceitful grounds of hope, and
remitted nothing of her endeavors to prepare for the awful scene that
awaited her. It was indeed grateful to see such proofs of Walter's
affection, in the midst of all the obloquy which had clouded her name,
and made her the reproach and scorn of the community; but her ties
to earth were loosening, the glorious visions of the heavenly rest
absorbed her mind, and she looked beyond the troubled stream she must
soon cross, to a land of undecaying beauty and eternal repose.
All the efforts of James and Walter were warmly seconded by the
Ellersons; and in their frequent conversations, every suggestion
that prudence could make, was carefully balanced and weighed. But it
was reserved for the fertile invention of Strale, to devise the only
expedient which seemed to offer the least chance of success; and though
this was confessedly romantic and extremely difficult to manage, it was
resolved to make the trial.
Near the house of Mr. Harris, who had charge of Miss Lyford, there was
a small cottage, occupied by a poor but honest laborer, named William
Somers. This man was an ardent admirer of Gen. Goffe, and had once
seen and conversed with him at his retreat in Hadley. Moreover, he was
a sturdy Puritan, and in high reputation for honesty and piety: no
one ever questioned his integrity, and he was the last person to be
suspected of any plot against the peace of the community, Somers was
just the man for the present emergency; and as soon as Miss Lyford's
name was publicly disclosed, he went to Mr. Ellerson, and volunteered
his services in any proper measures for her release, assuring him he
might rely on his fidelity. There was little need of this assurance,
for Somers was never known to break his word or slight his engagements.
The location of Somers' cottage was very favorable, and in fact
essential to the success of the plan, as no other house near that
of Harris could possibly be obtained. His offer of assistance was
therefore gratefully accepted, and he was at once admitted to the
councils of Mary's friends. The progress of our narrative will develope
the means that were employed, and the consequences that followed.
The policy now to be adopted, required that Walter should no longer
keep up his relations to Miss Lyford, and that he should so far
acquiesce in the public feeling, as to offer no vindication, or even
suggest a wish in her behalf. It was no easy task to pursue this line
of conduct; but as it did not require a positive disavowal of his
engagement, he felt justified in assuming such a degree of indifference
to her fate, as might be necessary for the successful prosecution of
his designs.
Among Mary's friends in Boston, there were very few who did not follow
the fashion of the world, in deserting the unfortunate, and leaving
them to struggle alone in their wretchedness, without sympathy or
consolation. Miss Hallam, Mary's earliest and most intimate friend,
was one of the first to forsake her. In fact, this young lady was
never pleased with the attentions which were so liberally bestowed on
Miss Lyford, and it was more than suspected that her own attachment
to Strale, reconciled her to the impending fate of her friend. She
saw, with scarcely disguised pleasure, that Walter seemed to regard
Mary with little interest, and as he was now a frequent visiter at
her father's, she began to hope his affections were already enlisted
in her behalf. There were some, however, whose feelings and conduct
were far different. Among these, Miss Elliott was deeply affected
at the situation of her friend, and did not hesitate to condemn the
proceedings, as in the highest degree cruel and unjust. She made
repeated visits to Mr. Willard, in the hope that he might do something
in her behalf; and the benevolent clergyman employed all the power
he possessed in her favor. She made the same application to Cotton
Mather, but the stern fanaticism of this man was proof against all her
entreaties. He declared he had no malice, and nothing but kindness
towards Miss Lyford in his heart; but he solemnly believed in the
allegations against her, and that God and man required the sacrifice.
The proof he said was clear, and an exception in her favor would be
cruelty to the community and treachery to his divine Master. All he
could do was to pray, that notwithstanding her sorceries, she might,
if possible, be forgiven, and he would not refuse her the tribute of a
tear. Such were the feelings of this remarkable man, and such the power
of superstition over his vigorous but ill governed mind. He was not
naturally cruel, but in whatever devious course his perverted sense of
duty impelled him, no consideration of reason or humanity could bring
him back.
Mean-while the days glided on, and the period was at hand when the
fatal sentence of the law was to be executed. The nineteenth of
August had been assigned for the death of Burroughs and three of his
associates, who had been condemned on the same grounds. One female
also had been selected, to complete the sacrifice. For these unhappy
individuals there was no hope of escape; the public voice had condemned
them, as well as the iniquitous court before which they were tried;
and they prepared, with christian resignation, for the doom which
could not be averted. Miss Lyford's sentence had been assigned one
day later, as the case was deemed one of solemn and peculiar interest;
and moreover it was the policy of the court to impress the public
mind with the enormity of the crime of witchcraft, by repeating the
tragedy in its most awful and startling forms. The only hope that
remained for Mary, was in those secret movements of her friends, which,
in their complicated and delicate machinery, might be frustrated by
the severance of a single cord. Her brother had acquainted her with
the outlines of the plan, but she had little faith in a prospect
which seemed so visionary and hopeless. Neither had Lyford any great
confidence in its success, and every day had meditated some new
expedient to accomplish her deliverance--but it was all in vain. No
other hope appeared; and when the eighteenth of August had arrived,
Mary was still in the custody of Harris, and that vigilant officer and
his three assistants, were the sleepless sentinels at their post of
dishonor and shame.