Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1858-05-28
MIS- c T. LII A n Y.
THE KINGS MESSENGER.

not only was no the champion OF every mall
content who braved a quarrel, and resolved
to Ggh, out with tho offender, bu, no had
the first and surcsi news in days when arm
ed men did the work now performed by
rail and telegraph, and when gp''ip-, burst
ing vita impaticncc, rushed to the black
smiths forge to hear from his liPs the last
report left behind by some galloping rider,
who had been detained while his horse was
being shoi.
Jcary dill not iail to make the most Of
such oprortuuitic. and at time when IN.
surrcclion had disturbed a portion Of the
kings duminion., be was in the haish, Of
village popularity, dispensing news and lea.
ding politics, and enjoying The we'll earned
distinction Il being known a' the bc'i crafts
man of his kind, and the most loyal tory on
the great London road.
One dark evening, A. usual. the bright
Gre from the smlthy Of Jcdry Hayes aang
It, rally glow across the highway; tho
sound VI labor had ceased. and's'vcril idle
yillascr. were loungiQs round their oracle
until he should think proper to pat out his
Grc, aud adpurn with them to the nearest
ale house. The smith himself, with broad
shoulders and muscular arms was flourish
ing hl' great hammer To the eager narrative
ol an angty youth who was telling Of an
insult he wished to a,sng', and was cnlis,
Ing the pusnacious symPathies OF his aih-
lctic friend, who PRAISED hr. courage and
promised all honorcd assistance on the occa-
sion.
"Ay, | was sure you would stand by me
and scc justice donc,' said the obliged chal.
lcnscr.
That will |, >" said Hayes warmly, and
with various olths =" Fix the time and
place. will - there to the minute. If the
high sheriff himself. on hi' Maje'ty's cr.
raud, hroush, his horse To b. shod as no
one bu, Je!Iry llayc' can do il. I'm not
the man a. you all know, to desert a friend
in need, nor keep out OF the way when
blows are going. But bark here comes a
hor.cmau. aud hear by the football there's
work 10 be done yet. Stand by, my lads,
aud let the gentleman ride straight iu."
In few second, more hor,cman rode
up aud asked ia los, ,hoc could be rcPa.
cri a, once.
Ja.t IN time .ir, .nil JriIry, 'ioprins
forward and lifting the hoor, while toe n.
der dt,moun,ci, and leaning against the
do,r.ro,t surveyed ny frehsh, the several
rcr-,n, ia the shell
You have ridden hr and hard, sir," re-
marked the smith, a. ho proceeded to work.
"Yc., and mus, further It'll before |
rest, replied ,h' stranger
"Imror,iut bu.inc.''on hand, IsuPpj'c,
sir " said JcGry.
"vcry I an the Kings messenger, and
mus, no, l,iter On the way"
Ia hammer could speak, that Of JcGry
Have, would have borne witness TO the
ri:ht royal grasp Of il. master. powerful
hanl, a. he swans it with increased veho.
mencc and precision on hearing this intel.
liscnce.
&" Good news a! court, hope sir" said
he p,mpoa.ly.
"rhc very bo't. \ free pardon for all
the rebels"
"A free pardon ?" exclaimed all a, once.
"wh,t, after all they have donc?"
Free, unconditional pardon" repeated
the traveller, except it b. considered a con-
di,ion that theg acccp, it,"
"Thcy can't, surely, do hut that" eI.
cloimei JsTry the very though; Of such
clrmency ought to make them lay down
their arms, aud bo true subjects all the rect
oi their lives"
Yet strange to say, the face though
quite certain does not do IT,"
What, are they going on in rebellion
in the face Of pardon, and with no hope Of
success to their cause at last?"
Even 20, excepting here and there one
who sees things in better light"
Well then, they deserve execution and
why should no, justice take I,s eoursc?'
said the blacksmith hercely. "My opinion
is that it's possible to to be too lenitent,
and royal men look 20 governments u do
their duty without fear or favor"
"You would have me believe YOU are not
a rebel yourself, friend" said the stranger.
81? Yes, | would like - see the man
who dares call me rebel" said Jeifry
Hayes, with the soicO of a Senator, and
mingllng his speech with many terrible
oa,hs - he should know something ot this
arm" And down came the hammer upon
the anvil with blow that made the hOOf
ring again.
"Thcn that dare l." aid the traveller
boldly. and your own lips have condemned
you"
"You had better mount and begone,"
whispered a villaser. az the sight OF Jelry's
face like thunier.cloud, as ho slowly lii-
tel himself from bending over the horses
hoof, and fixed a flashing eye on the stran-
gers face. who nevertheless stood unmo'ed
and undismayed, adding deliberately.
a. Thou shalt not take the name Of the
Lord thy God in vain for the Lord will not
hold him guillless that takcth bis name In
vain. 50 runs the holy law, and | call YOU
to witness that no loyal man tribes with or
prolanes the name Of the prince ne loves