Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1855-06-13

q SCeP IorWafu1 ana the neaNY, QafK Qool
that was to shut him from all the bright
! life closed. On through the stiffness aud
gloom they led him, down steps and along
passages, till they reached the lowest dun
j geon in the castle. The only light that
entered that dismal cell crept through two
chinks in the thick walls, high above his
head, so that he might never hope to
catch the smallest glimpse of beautiful
nature. The ray. of light was gray and
cold, and the wall rough and chill, in the
dismal place henceforth to be the abode
of the young. brave knight Gualinois.-
When he had entered the dungeon, he tur-
ned and saw Marlotes standing in the en-
trance.
'This, sir knight, is to be your resting
place. Once more offer you your free
dom, if you will but embrace the faith of
Allah"
Guarinois turned away, saying
"Close the door. Ay, bolt and bar it
strong, and so destroy all hope"
"By the beard of Allah, " exclaimed the
king, "but thou art a stubborn knight"
The door closed, and the echoing tread
of the soldiers was heard no more.
Seven years passed away in gloom and
woe, and only three times in each long,
weary year, had Count Henri Guarinois
breathed the free air. Three festival days
in every year had he been led forth,
chained and guarded, to be the sport and
mockery of the assembled throngs. The
seven years had slowly dragged on in
hopeless misery, YEARLY, with no hope Of
change save by death.
An unusual hustle aud clamor in the
world without had aroused Guarinois from
his apathy and despair, and when his jail
or brought his food he asked him the
cause.
els it," asked he, "another feast day,
when l shall be brought forth from hence
to become the mark Of scornful words and
hate or does some brave young knight
wed the daughter of Marlotes, whom
scorned 2"
The jailor replied
"These trumpet sounds do not an
nounce feast or bridal JOY; rather hunger
and sorrow. Iii John the Baptist's day,
when all join in jousts and tilts. The
King Marlotes in his JOY has placed tar
get as a spearsman's mark. but so high in
the air that all have failed to reach it, to
pierce the ring or throw it down. Mar
Totes in his fierce rage, has proclaimed
by heralds through the town that no man,
woman or child shall taste food till the
prize be gained"
Springing to his feet, the pale Guarl>
nois spake out
Now help me God were but armed
and mounted on my own gray Trebizond,
all would enjoy their food full soon, for
| II, 7
prize"
The jailor marvelled. Would this pale
knight, who in chains had languished sew
en- weary years, attempt what gallant,
practised spearsmen had failed in ?
List to me, sir jailer. Give me my
trusty steed, if he is not long since dead,
all caparisoned as of old; give me the trus
ty lance l brought with me from home,
and my good armor, aud will win the
prize or die"
The jaiIer spoke with wonder in his
voice
"seven years of gloom and imprison-
ment have not robbed thee of thy brave
spirit. will repair to the King Marlotes
and repeat to him thy words"
What hope has sprung up in thy heart
of steel, brave Guarinois? The jailer
sought and obtained admittance to the
king. He found Linn seated in the listed
ring, with a black cloud on his brow
He whispered to him the captive's boast.
Marlotes laughed in scorn, then turning
to his knights, said:
"Listen, and you shall hear brave IL
dings. My prisoner, Guarinois. has this
day made the boast that were he mounted
on his old gray s!eed, with lance in rest,
he would win the prize ye have failed to
gain, or yield his life blood at my feet"
All assembled laughed, though the king
said to them:
eye may laugh. but well may he boast
thus, when all of you have failed so
shamefully."
Turning, he gave the order to have
the captive and his horse brought forth.
"Ha, ha," he laughed; "'twill be a
pleasing sight to behold the enfeebled
lord who has borne gloom and chains,
meet his old. ragged steed, and armed
cap.a- pie in rusty armor, charge in the
brilliant sunlight at the mark. Methinks
the sun will blind him, and he will fall. =
When Gusrinais appeared, the king and
: knights laughed more loudly. His horse,
old gray Trebizo2d, neighed and plunged
SO furiously, that he freed himself from
the groom and rushed madly to his mas,
ter, who stroked his long glossy neck, and
whispered to him, and he was quiet bJ
F.. his side. They girded on his suit of mai
and cuirass, all rusty as they had hang
on the wall; they laced his helmet on hi
: pale aud shrunken face, and gave him hi
lance. The knights watched Guarinoi
closely, and laughed in anticipated scorI
; as he approached the steed to mount.
eft steed to be mounted by so gallan
! knight" they cried; but the laugh wa
:. soon hushed, for with all his former gracr
- Guarinois vaulted lightly into the saddle