Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1859-05-26
Jntutsttlg Stotg,
THE
THIRTEENTH CHIME!

CHIME!
1t was in one of the earliest years of tn
reign of Henry the Eighth, and on a gle
rious summers day, that two men sat il
earnest conversation together in the oak
pannelled parlor of a small house abuttin,
upon St. Paul's Church-yard. The on,
was a soldier the otLes a priest. Tn
former was habited as an officer of tn,
yeomen of the guard-his morton, sur
mounted by a plume of feathers, lay befor,
him on the table, and his rich..scarlet ant
gold uniform shone gay and glistening il
the sunshine. He was a young man, bu
vice and unbridled passion were stamped
like Gains mark, upon his face. Hi
eyes were bloodshot \; his mouth coars,
and sensual, and his whole bearing fierce
and staggering. Bis priestly companion
had thrown back his crowl, probably fol
GOODNESS, and disclosed features, the ex
preston of which, like that of the captain
of the guards, was evil, but which unlike
his, was partly redeemed by an appear
ance Of lofty intellectually. The priests
forehead was high and massive, and hi.
eye deep set and bright. As he glanced
at his companion, his thin, pale lip curlec
Involuntary, and the scorn of his smile
was whitening. But the soldier perceiv
ed it not, as he carelessly set aside the
silver stoup from which he has been i'm
billing plentiful draughts of sack aud re
marked (:
And SO, Bully Friar thou has alb
solved all my sins-truly their name was
legion-but that boots not ; they are rub
bed away like RUS from a sword blade,
Doubtless thou art pardoned. Have
[ not said it 2" returned the priest. Ano
as he spoke his lips curled more palpably
tLan ever.
That swagseter, pinned by thu
cross bow bolt at Tbame p said he O
The yeonen Of the guard beginning anev
he muster roll Of his transgressions-
Think not of it." replied the priest.
"And the murther done at thr BanE
side n
Forgiven
"And the despoiliug of the Abingdon
mercer 2"
L nave aDSolved.
"And the VOW broken to Sir Hide
brand Grey 2"
:" 1t will not count against thee"
And the carrying off the pretty Mis-
tress Majority 2"
Hath been atoned for"
And oaths, lies, imprecations innu
merable?," rcjoined the captain. No
so much that | care about such petit,
matters; but when one at confession, Oh,
may as well make a clear breast of it..
In the name of the church, | absolv,
lhee. And now, Captain Wyckhamme
.hou must perform a service for me-"
1t is but reasonable. Thou art III,
helper in matters spiritual am thin,
in matters earthly! We serve eacl
other. Father Francis"
The worthy Francis smiled. 1t is pos
ST lie that he deemed the arrangement
letter one for himself than for his mill
tary friend.
Therefore say the word" continued
Wyckhamme "aad 10! my bountifu
forgiven Of transgressions, I I'm thine TO
good or evil"
Father Francis bent his keen, blacl
eye steadily upon his companion-gazin!
as if he would peer into his soul. A
length he spoke, slowly and calmly
Thou has a yeomen in thy COMPANY
of guards one Mark Huntley."
Marry, yes. A fine stalwart fellow
he draws a bow like Robin Hood and
would i'll like to abide the brunt Of hi
partisan. What Of him ~
The priest started up-his eye flashes
his n~ostrils dilated. Catching Wyck
hamme's arm with his brown, sinew,
hand, and clutching it convulsively, h
said hoarsely-" Ruin him r.
Ruin him r repeated the officer Q
the guards somewhat surprised at tina
unexpected outburst. Ruin him Maj
ry, man, bethink ye he is the flower Q
my company
II say, ruin him." cried the priest
Thou art his officer, and there are
thousand ways. Plot-plot-so that h
may rot in a dungeon, or swing from
gallows. He is a canker in my heart.
But wherefore art thou set against til
yeomen, Father :" asked Captain Wycb
hamme.
He has crossed my path,n said tn
priest, moodily.
Crossed thy path-how ?" demande
the soldier.
Father Francis looked wistfully at hi
questioner. and muttered, In love-"
Captain Wyckhamme struck the tabl
with his fist, until the wine TASKS dance
again, and then starting to his feet, wit
a coarse oar of laughter, exclaimed
Ho, hol hath it come to this :? And s
a neat ankle, and buxom cheeks, aud
gimp waist were more than a match 70
this sancity And thy cell was solitar
and cold-was it not, Priestl And
man, even though a monk, cannot be a
ways praying, and, SO thou wouldst talk