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Salem, 1692
Date: 9/18/2015, Categories: Historical, Author: WritersFriend, Rating: 9, Source: LushStories
“Oh please, sir, not tonight.” James Abernathy had raised the girl’s skirts and petticoats to her waist and was about to push her onto the bed she had just folded down at the House of the Seven Gables. “Why not?” he said. “It’s the hanging, sir, up on Gallows Hill. It’s got me upset.” Until that day Abernathy hadn’t given much thought to the accusations being hurled about by the Reverend Samuel Parris and other of the residents of Salem Village. He dismissed it as a kind of mass hysteria produced by the ignorance of the mainly poor Puritan farmers of the Village. But that morning, when the sheriff pulled the noose taut around the neck of Bridget Bishop, the reality of the situation had slapped everyone in Salem Town like a wet glove across the cheek. It was monstrous, yes, but it was no concern of his. As one of the Town’s wealthiest merchants, no one would be so bold as to accuse him or anyone in his family of practicing the dark arts. However, this girl, Mary Wicks, was clearly troubled by the day’s events. If he were to have his way with her, he would need to use some tact. He turned her round to face him and took her in his arms. “I’m sorry, Mary. Sometimes I’m an insensitive lout. Did you know this woman that they hanged?” “No, sir. It’s just… well, I can’t understand why the townspeople are doing this. It seems as if everyone has gone mad.” “You need to be careful who you voice opinions like that to, Mary. I agree with you, but prudence dictates that some thoughts ...