Utica Free Academy - Academician Yearbook (Utica, NY)

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v her the secret of medicinal herbs and their preparation, S0 that together with her womanly patience and sympathy, She was of the rarest value at every sick-bed. ' , lt was at this time, in her sixteenth year that the terrible epidemic of Salem witchcraft broke out in their hitherto peace- ful village. The superstition was started by some demented children, influenced by an old Indian nurse, Tituba, who claim- ed that they were being tortured by spells cast over them by certain of the good people of the region, who had always been regarded as peaceful and harmless. The curse rapidly spread, and it was used by anyone who bore a grudge or possessed an enemy to cast over them disrepute and ignominy. The mere accusation of the afflicted children, who professed to be under these spells, was sufficient to subject the accused to trial, and death, if found guilty, which was generally the case. Not only did this madness seize hold of the common people, but the magistrates and clergy themselves believed in it, and did' all they could to punishthose said to possess this evil power. Only a few of the saner and more reasonable of, the people denounced this witchcraft delusion, and sought to arouse public indignation against its atrocities. The Ainsworth were among this number, and refused either to testify against old friends and neighbors or to-have any belief in the reality of witchcraft. In particular Charity was grieved and angered atthis wicked snare of delusion, for she had ample opportunity to observe its horrible eiects in the village homes where she sought to be of some comfort. In her work among the sick and poor, in min- istering to those who had been deluded in thinking themselves under wicked spells, she had seen the horror of it all. The ravages of those affiicted, not in body, but in spirit, filled her with disgust and pity, the accusations against old friends, the trials and tortures used to wring out false con- fessions, the cruel deaths of those whom she knew innocent all filled her mind, greatly matured foruher age, with dark forei boding for her country and friends. A Hlt was not for others, however, but for herself, that Charity had to fear. Her thwarted lover, Ambrose Graham, seeing a '97 5fW77 f'

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Wendover, who had disappeared from Salem Farms Seven years ago. g v He had been playing out in the woods one day with others of his own age, when in some unaccountable way he had strayed from the rest and become lost, deeper' and deeper in the woods. Nothing further was ever known' of him, and although the most careful search was made,'not even a corpse, or the foot-prints of a struggle remained to show his 'grief- stricken. parents and friends whether he had met his death through wild beasts or prowling Indians, or had died- of starvation, in the lonely woods. '4Such catastrophes were not unknown to the people of that period, and in the years that followed, the bitterness of first grief, was swallowed up almost in forgetfulness ofone who had been with them such a short time. But there was'o'ne in Salem Farms who never forgot her comrade Philip. lt was Charity Ainsworth, who, in spite of all indications tothe contrary, always hoped that her little friend still lived, and believed that she would ultimately see himuagain. Indeed so firmly was this conviction rooted in her heart, that she shunned the society of boys and young men, although by this time most of her girl friends had married, and even her parents would have liked. her to wed one of the many fine young men in the community. b l But Charity would listen to no suiter, so that one by one those who had been charmed by her sweet bright face and gentle manners, had left her to court more responsive maidens. Ambrose Graham, alone, of them all, was intensely passionate in his love, and ceaselessly importuned her to return his affection. He was, to all appearances a fine, handsome, manly young fellow, of good family and means, and highly desirable in all eyes but Charity's. She ,still remained true to her childish lover, and preferred a single life, to marriage with one whom she could not love. Since her people 's prosperity made it impossible for her ever to want, she determined to give her life for others, and especially 'to care for the sick and the poor. An old llldidll servant, who had worked for them many years had taught ..2'7.. .f .1 1 ' 'viffzzzrz iff J ?fiif5 fv i1 any

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means now to force her to his wishes, determined to make the most of it. One day When she was out in the woods gathering medicinal herbs, she was suddely confronted by Graham's sullen andmorose face. She was not one to flinch at an un- pleasant encounter, and braced herself instinctively for what she felt would be somthing deeply concerning her welfare. '4She listened to his passionate and violent speech, which was that if shewould not consent to be his wife he would cause the accusation of witchcraft to be brought against her, with the usual fatal results. In his own selfishness and cowar- dise he never believed that Charity would hold out against such a threat.. But indeed he did not realize the strength of resolution contained in that frail form. 1 . .. F' 'No,,Ambrose Grahamf shereplied, calmly and coldly, il will never marry you. ,Bring this accusation against 'me if you will, you who profess to love me. Surely the record of my past life will sustain me. ln any case God will protect his child against such foul dishonorf ' . . '4All the cunning plans of the jealous lover were frustrated. He had never dreamed of such resistance, and all the horror ofthe scenes of the witchcraft trials failed to move her from her purpose. But he had vowed to bring the charge against her, and now hatefulas it was even to him, he must carry out his threat. 'At all events,7 he muttered, as he strode off from the resolute girl, 'she will never live tobecome the wife of another' :Charity returned to the home which she had left so full of youthful buoyancy and hope that afternoon, with a sad heart indeed. A terrible load lay on her mind, it seemed as if the whole world were against her, the very stones seemed to accuse her falsely, she seemed to see, as in a dream, the trial-room, with every friendly face turned from her in scorn. Vainly she prayed for divine strength, her footsteps wavered, her senses became benumbed, the weird awfulness of the witchcraft horror crept over her soul. H 4Surely those whom I have always loved will not desert me? Surely the God whom Irphave so faithfully served will not suffer me to be condemned? Thus she moaned and prayed the entire night but alas it seemed as if her fate were only - 7 D , 0 i I I ' ' 0 J 7 7 ' ' ,. ,. ,f f f ff ff-a .fe-114f..4f,f,ff.-,:,: f:fcfgzfr ,sfggwfgrygr-a-55,451-aff, f -v f ff f ff M W 4 33:11 ge,