Daily American telegraph., 1852-04-03
TELEGRAPH.
OLIVER CROMWELL.
Born 1899, died 1858.
BY NATHANIEL HAWTHoRN

Not long after King James the First Stook
the place of Queen Elizabeth on the throne of
England there lived an English knight at a
place called Hinchinbrooke. His name was Sir
Oliver Cromwell He spent his life, | suppose,
pretty much likOother English knights and
squires in those days, hunting hares and foxes,
and drinking large quantities of ale and wine.
The old house in which he dwelt had been oc-
cupied by his ancestors before him, for good
many years. In it there was great hall hung
round with coats of arms, and helmets, cuirass-
es and swords, which his forefathers had used
in battle, and with horns of deer and tails of
foxes which they or Sir Oliver himself had
killed in the chase.
This Sir Oliver Cromwell had nephew, who
had been called Oliver, after himself, but who
was generally known in the family by the
name of little Noll His father was a younger
brother Of Sir Oliver. The child was often sent
to visit his uncle, who probably found him q
troublesome little fellow to take care Of He
was forever in mischief and always running
INTO some danger or other, from which he SEEM
ed to escape only by miracle.
Even while he was an infant in the cradle a
strange accident had befallen him. A huge
ape, which was kept in the family, snatched up
little Noll in his fore-pa and clambered with
him to the roof of the house There this ugly
beast sat grinning at the affrighted spectators,
as if he had done the most praiseworthy thing
imaginable. Fortunately, however he brought
the child safe down again; and the event was
afterwards considered an omen that Noll would
reach a very elevated station in the world.
One morning, when Noll was five or six years
old, royal messenger arrived at Hinchnbrooke,
with tidings that King james was coming to
dine with Sir Oliver Cromwell. This was a
high honor to be sure, but very great trouble;
for all the lords and ladies, knights, squires,
guards, and yeomen, who waited on the king,
were to be feasted as well as himself; and more
provisions would be eaten, and more wine drunk
in that one day. than generally in a month.
However Sir Oliver expressed much thankful
ness for the kings intended visit, and ordered
his butler and cook to make the best prepara-
tions in their power So a great fire was kim
died in the kitchen and the neghbors knew
by the smoke which poured out of the CHM
ney, that boiling, baking, stewing, roasting, and
| frying, were going on merrily.
| By and by the sound of trumpets was heard,
approaching nearer and nearer; and heavy,
old-fashioned coach, surrounded by guards on
horseback. drove up to the house Sir Oliver,
with his hat in his hand, stood at the gate
ready to receive the king. His majesty was
dressed in a suit of green, not very new; he
had feather in his hat, and triple ruff round
his neck; and over his shoulder was slung n
hunting horn instead of sword. Altogether,
he had not the most dignifed aspect in the
world; but the spectators gazed at him, as if
there was something superhuman and divine
in his person. They even shaded their eyes
with their hands, rs if they were dazzled by the
glory Of his countenance.
elbow are We, MANI" cried King james,
| IL 6,
his native country. "By my crown, Sir Oliver
but am glad to see ye!"
The good knight thanked the king mt the
same time kneeling down, while his majesty
alighted When King James stood on the
ground. he directed Sir divers attention to a
| little boy who had come with him in the coach.
He was six or seven years old, and wore n hat
and feather, and was more richly dressed than
the king himself Though by no means an i'll
looking child, he seemed shy, or even sulky
and his cheeks were rather pale, as if he had
been kept moping within DOORS instead Of be-
ing sent out to play in the sun and wind.
II have brought my son Charlie to see ye,' ,
said the king. 81 hope, Sir Oliver, We have a
son of your own, to be his playmate?"
Sir Oliver Cromwell made reverential bow
to the little prince, whom one Of the attendants
had now taken out of the coach. 1t was Won
derfu to see how all the spectators, even the
aged men, with their gray boards, humbled
themselves before this child They bent their
bodies till their boards almost swept the dust
They looked rs if they were ready to kneel
down and worship him
The poor little prince! From his earliest
infancy not a soul had dared to contradict him /;
everybody around him had acted as if he were
superior being so that, of course he had i'm
bibed the same opinion of himself. He natu-
rally supposed that the whole kingdom of Great
Britain and all its inhabitants, had been crea-
ted solely for his benefit and amusement This
was a sad mistake and it cost him dear
enough after he had ascended his fathers
throne.
"What a noble little prince he is! > exclaim-
ed Sir Oliver, lifting his hands in admiration.
"No, please your majesty, | have no son to be
the playmate of his Royal Highness; but there
is n nephew of mine somewhere about the
house. He is near the princes age, and will
be but too happy to wait upon his Royal High
ness
"Send for him. man send for him. said
the king
But, as it happened, there was no need Of
sending for master Noll. While King James
was speaking, a rugged, bold-faced, sturdy little
urchin thrust himself through the throng of
courtiers and attendants, and greeted the prince
with broad stare His doublet and hose
(which had been put on new and clean in hon
or of the kings yisit) were already soled and
torn with the rough play in which he had
spent the morning. He looked no more abash-
ed than if King James we're his uncle, and the
prince one of his customary playfellows.
This was little Noll himself
=" Here, please your majesty, is my nephew
said Sir Oliver, somewhat ashamed of NolPs
appearance and demeanOr. "Ohver, make
your obeisance to the kings Majesty"
The bov mndn n nrettv reSnectful obeisance