A TALE OF IPSWICH.

BY EMILY PEARSON BAILEY.

Old Ipswich hills! oft sung and fair,
The sea winds cool their summer air;
The river winds throughout the town,
And long, gray roofs queer houses crown;
The aged elms, the crooked streets;
The old stone bridge, whereon one meets
The tide of travel to and fro
Or stops to mark the river's flow,
All now, in turn, before me pass,
I see them all in Fancy's glass,

And comes to me from grandsire down
A tale of this quaint olden town.
The time was June in sixty-three,
In the eighteenth century.
Since then we have improved our ways,
Our jokes were rude in those old days
And youthful blood, that later on
Made soldiers brave at Lexington,
Would sometimes leap in wildest fun
And burst all bonds and riot run,
And oft times in some lonely place

Was seen some Brom Bones mirthful face.

Men, at that time, believed in ghosts,
And all abroad were Satan's hosts,
Minions of ill were in the air
And haunted places everywhere.
A pleasant road from town leads forth
To ancient Rowley on the north,

There, where the hill comes sloping down,
A house then stood, antique and brown,
A haunted house 'twas said to be,
But why has always puzzled me.

Its low, broad step wore welcome air
And groups of children sported there
And friends of high and low degree
Oft proved its hospitality.

Broad, fertile meadows stretched around,
The old-time posies there were found,

Sweet lilacs blossomed by the door,
An elm tree nodded just before,

The birds built nests, the bees hummed there
And all of life seemed good and fair.

Near by, one eve in rapture lost

A youth stood gazing at the host

That marches, nightly, through the skies
In glittering ranks before our eyes,
When fast approaching hoofs he heard;
His blood some imp of mischief stirred,
Suggesting youthful pranks as near
Two riders came his quickened ear
O'erheard one ask-"Now where's the ghost?"
Then laugh in scorn. At once a most
Dread yell arose, while to one steed
The agile youth with lightning speed
From darkness leaped and, clasping fast
The frightened rider cried, "At last!"

O, terror smote those brave men then
(Braggarts may prove the weakest men),
To horse they gave both spur and rein
And courage summoned all in vain;
Not once paused they to look behind
But onward sped like swiftest wind,
Past Egypt river, up the hill
Their frightened horses urging still.

Clatter of hoofs awoke the town,
The wild youth slipped from horse-back down
And in the darkness sped away,
Quietly laughing all the way.

Dogs barked, lights gleamed, men grasped their

guns

And cowered in fear the timid ones,
While white-capped dames in their affright
Peeped from their doors to see the flight.

Thus riders rode with might and main
Until they reached the pleasant lane
Where sainted Parson R. abode,
His only fear the fear of God.
These called the good man from his bed
And when he heard their tale he said,
"Friends, let us pray. It is God's will
That, somehow, good shall conquer ill."
The voice of prayer, at silent night
Beneath the stars, calmed that wild fright
And pale men turned to face a ghost;
No ghost was there. All trace was lost,
But through the town the story went
With truth and falsehood strangely blent.

Gone are riders, the youth is gone,
Of house remains not e'en a stone,
And he who toiled men's souls to save
Has long been resting in his grave;
But Egypt river flows on still
The road still winds across the hill
And still, throughout the ancient town
This ghostly tale is handed down."
True are the parson's words for aye
For good, somehow, must win the day.

39. William Baker, of Ipswich, who married, Dec. 30, 1686, Sarah, daughter of Abraham Fitts, probably was in no way related to John Baker, the settler. Although frequently named on the county records he appears in no way identified with the main branch, and was probably born too late to be a son of John Baker. He was published, Feb. 3, 1722-3, to widow Ann Burrill, who is mentioned in his will, which was proved Sept. 19, 1743.-Geo. Frs. Dow, Topsfield.

61. Thomas Hammond, born in Rowley, June 13, 1747, was son of David Hammond, jr., and his wife Susanna.Ed.

100. Emma (or Amme) Knowlton, daughter of Ezekiel and Amme Knowlton, was born in Manchester Aug. 8, 1728; and married Benjamin Leach, in Manchester, May 28, 1749. Sarah Knowlton, daughter of Ezekiel and Elizabeth Knowlton, was born in Manchester April 15, 1763; and married Benjamin Leach of Manchester April 15, 1784.-G. F. Dow, Topsfield.

116. "King Philip," whose Indian name was Metacom, or Pometacom or

Metacomet, had a sister called by the English "Amie."-D.

127. Ann Bodwell, wife of Henry Bodwell of Methuen (married April 20, 1727) was the daughter of Christopher and Hannah Pottle of Hampton, N. H., where she was born Nov. 18, 1707.—Mrs. Ellen S. Tolman, Lawrence.

NEW PUBLICATIONS.

NEW ENGLAND'S PROSPECT. By William Wood. London, 1634. Hon. E. Moody Boynton, of West Newbury, Mass., has reprinted this valuable early book and the ancient map. Cloth; 128 pages. Price $2.00.

THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON as looked at in London in the trial of John Horne for libel on the British Government, By Hon. John Winslow, has been published by the New York Society of the Order of the Founders and Patriots of America, in a pamphlet of thirty-nine pages.

AN ACCOUNT OF OUR LATE TROUBLES IN VIRGINIA. By Mrs. Ann Cotton. This was written by Mrs. Ann Cotton of Q. Creek; and published from the original manuscript in the Richmond (Va.) Enquirer of Sept. 12, 1804, being now reprinted in pamphlet form by George P. Humphrey, Rochester, N. Y., at twentyfive cents a copy, 12 pages. There is added "A list of those who have been executed for the late rebellion in Virginia, by Sir William Berkeley, Governor of the Colony."

THE OLD FAMILIES OF SALISBURY AND

AMESBURY, MASSACHUSETTS. With some Related Families of Newbury, Haverhill, Ipswich and Hampton. Part I. By David W. Hoyt. Providence, R. I., 1897. This is the first of a series of five parts to be issued relative to the families of Salisbury and Amesbury down to the year 1700. This number includes the names commencing with A and B. It is an octavo pamphlet of eighty pages, and is issued at one dollar per part. The work is invaluable.