, 1859-03-18
LONG LIFE UNDER DIFFICULTIES.


foot, with little boy some two or three years Of
age strapped on her back, and small bundle in a
handkerchief in her hand. As they proceeded
they were incommoded by the rapid marching Of
numerous bodies of men, all armed and intent on
some great business, In answer to her questions,
| soldier would sometimes tell her to move on and
hold her tongue; but once or twice a more civil
respondent informed her there was great fight
toward and that the pretender Richmond was
marching to London, and King Richard was lead
ing them to meet the invader. The woman had
never heard Of either Richard or Richmond
there having been no penny political newspapers
in those days-and went on without fear. When
she came to q large and open field, she saw the
armies drawn up in hostile array; and being
afraid TO force her way through, and too tired to
take the necessary roundabout she was fain to
rest herself under thorn-bush at one end of the
plain. Putting her little son upon his legs, and
telling him not to move from her side she watched
the proceedings Of the forces before her, without
being able to imagine what they were doing, or
what it was all about. At the end of tremcn-
dous crowding and yelling, and showing and hur-
rahing, she saw man very hot and tired throw
something, she could not tell what upon the
thick.leavcd bush under which she lay, and gallop
of with all speed.
"Tommy," she said to the child, "whats that
the gentleman filings among the branchesS"
"Odds bodkins !" babbled the child, "its the
fine hat o St. Thomas from our church at
home"
"Can thee reach ii, Tommy, dcar9"
"Ees, if thee'll how'd up tot"
The woman cautiously rose, and raising the
boy in her arms, was in the act of holding him
forward to grasp the saints hat, when great
bevy Of horsemen rode up. One leaped from his
steed, impetuously dashed at the bush, upsetting
the poor woman and her boy, and seized the gilt
tering prize.
" The English crown, by'r ladyel" he said, and
kneeling on one knee, offered it to pale saturninc
looking gentleman, who had dsmountcd from his
horse.
Tho gentleman, however, smiled and said,
" You know the place that fits it, Lord Stanley"
and bent his head as he spoke
Lord Stanley put il over the auburn locks Of
the cavalier, apd Immediately great cry was
Rs4rd cid alJ dPEsF stRRs sfRher save Kin9 Hem
The woman, seeing what treasure she had
missed, began to excaim: "Please remember
me, o King, for it was my little Tommy that
found that ere crown"
ibid you my little mani" said Henry, too
happy to take oiIcnse at anything.
II 'feckins did" replied the child, in its in
distinct kind Of prattlc.
"llerc, give him some money, some Of you,
said the generous and economical monarch; and
several purses were instantly thrown into the |
woman's lap. The party were turning away
Another thing, may it please you," said the
woman. "fve heard down in Shropshire that
the kings touch cures the evil now Tommy be
very bad, and can't live unless he be delivered"
The king stroked the boy on the chin, half in |
sport, and said, "DO you want to be cured, my
boyi"
"St Doddlekins il don't" said Tommy; and
the operation was complete.
The child We have said was not moro than three |
years Of age; but there were already deep marks
upon his face and indcntions almost like wrinkles
upon his brow. He looked prematurely old, and
his sanity illusions and very decided way Of
speech gave further evidence that his mode Of
thought was greatly in advance Of his years He
was very little, and was feeble on his legs. So,
when the battle was over, the mother strapped
him again upon her back, and with light heart and
heavy pocket, recommended her journey TO Shrop-
shire. On first coming in sight Of the Wrckin,
so great was her delight that she suddenly stopped
and fell upon her knees Tommy, who had
climbed upon her shoulders was precipitated
over her head, and fell with great violence on the
ground.
"Drat the child" said the unfeeling parent
" thee can't live to enjoy thy fortune, il thoe
breaks thy bones in this guise. Get up, Tommy.
Hast thee snapt off thy tother legE for the right
one be scarce mended since the miller's donkey
kicked it in twain. Art thee killcdY" she cried,
in a louder voice, when Tommy lay quiet.
Clean dead wi such tumble as this"
The boy opened his eyes and said, By Potter
kind, think be-"
The woman gathered him up as If be had been
4 broken piece Of crockeTy. "Thee hast cracked
thy two legs" she said, "and three Of thy ribs
thou hast had measles that crooked thy back,
and hooping-cough that wore out thy chest; thou
hast kings evil, and art in a deep decline, and
canst eat nothing, and never sleeps o night
Thee can't live, Tommy"
"Hold the tongue o thee" replied the invalid.
BY the Splutters of York, l won't die nowhere
but in my little bed at homo. So, get thee on,
mother, for thinks l shall never survive the
sundown."
Tommy, however, did survive, and when
twenty years were past he had grown to his full
height which was not much, and was strong for
so very delicate person and as his mother be-
fore her decease had pointed out to him the raiter
between which and the thatch she mad hidden
the ransom money Of the English crown, he con-
sidered himself above the necessity Of work, and
indulgcd in complete idleness and Independence
Being idle and independent he did many foolish
things; among the rest he fell in love- A girl
was coming through the church-yard with pail
Of water on her head, beautiful, fair-haired,
light-fgured girl-the ornament Of the village,
This was Tommy's sweetheart
"Good evening, Susan Proddy," hc said.
Fatherland! how sweet thou lookcst; give us
kiss, Susan"
"0ut o my gate, Tommy the trhor," said
Susan, but stopping at his address. "What
would such dying like apparition do wi kiss
if gid ye oneG"
"'fwoud maybe keep me alive" replied
] Tommy for I've such main in the chcst '