The hidden treasure : $b or, Found at lastGuernsey, Lucy Ellen
History
The hidden treasure : $b or, Found at last
Guernsey, Lucy Ellen
Great Britain -- History -- Henry VIII, 1509-1547 -- Juvenile fiction; Reformation -- Juvenile fiction
"I am not over-confident, I trust," replied Jack; "but I trust in Him
who says, 'I will never leave thee nor forsake thee,' and therefore I
am bold to say, 'The Lord is my helper: I will not fear what man may
do unto me.' As to meditating how I shall answer, I make bold to refer
you to the words of our Lord: 'When they take you up, take no thought
how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour
what ye shall say. For it is not you that speak, but the Spirit of your
Father which speaketh in you.'"
"Ay, but those words were not spoken to men like us," said Master
Dennett. "They were spoken to apostles and saints."
"And what were the apostles and saints but common simple men like to
us?" asked Thomas Sprat. "Are not all God's children called to be
saints, and does He not promise the same grace freely to all if we are
but faithful?"
"Alas, my faith is not like yours," said Master Dennett. "You are,
besides, an old man, and must soon die at any rate; but I cannot but
bethink me of my young wife and her babes, and the happy fireside I
left but yesterday, with my old mother sitting in the chimney corner
with my youngest-born on her knees. Little did I think as I bade them
farewell and went out to my business, that the evening would find me
here."
And the poor man threw himself on the pallet again in an agony of grief.
"It is indeed hard for flesh and blood," said the old man. "The spirit
is willing, but the flesh is weak. We will pray for and with you,
brother, that you may have strength in the evil day."
The night passed without disturbance, and in the morning came another
basket of provisions from home.
"Your father has sent meat and alms to all the prisoners—debtors and
all," said the jailer; "and a handsome present to my wife as well. He
might have spared that, but he is a kind and liberal man. Truly, you
have no cause to thank them who brought you into this scrape."
"Nobody led me into it, good Master Davis," said Jack. "I thank you
heartily for bringing me these things. Have you heard whether we are to
be brought to trial this day?"
"Nay, I am in none of their secrets," growled the jailer, and withdrew.
Jack made haste to examine the provisions. In one loaf, he found
a short letter from his father, full of affection. In the other,
he discovered what astonished him beyond measure. It was a small
book carefully wrapped up, which, on being opened, proved to be the
Testament lately given him by Arthur Brydges. In the envelope was
written in Anne's hand, "Forgive and pray for me! A. L."
Master Dennett had also received a missive from his wife, and while he
was reading it, Jack took the opportunity to show Anne's gift and note
to his uncle. "I know not what to think," said he. "It is Anne's hand,
I am sure. I cannot wonder so much at what she hath written, but that
she should send me the Testament passes my comprehension."
"It is indeed strange," said Thomas. "Can she have repented of what she
has done?"
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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