The Shasta courier., 1863-12-19
my boldness. Idenounce Reginald de Hough-

my DoldnesS. oen0unce Reginald de H0ugh-
ton as traitor and tyrant; if not in fact,
in thought and designl Bear with ME, my
lieN. ! am but an humble craftsman inex-
| perienced in the language of courts but l
have the feelings of man and an English.
man Reginald de Houghton would have
robbed me. by base and degrading usage,
of the treasure of my life-of the innocence
and purity Of lovely maiden who was to be
my wife. By the accursed usage of the
first night" he sought to rob me of my
marital rights ~
"a lie! p shouted Sir Reginald.
" A lie!'' Then.let the kings chirurgeon
approach and wrench from my jaws tooth. )"
And he is noways 10th to undertake
such a task, y observed the king. ''But
proceed
Siref We loved long. truly and terderly.
A priest Of the church united us; ; and that
night yon pale faced tyrant preferred his
claim. Has he forgotten the circumstance
Does he forget the indignant blow that
stretched him at my very feet on the
ground2 Does he forget the cowardly at
tempt Of his minions to possess themselves of
my Marion?''
"A good joke this, Sir Reginald, " laughed
the king. 'sAnd so this catiff struck down
one of my brave knights?"
Here the courtiers joined in the kings
mirth.
"A lieI' again thundered Sir Reginald
de Hougilton
hiw which case" observed the blacksmith,
~ your majesty's chirurgeon will have to
draw me a second tooth"
.'And Marion ?''
And Marion, my liege, that night,
rather than yield to the impure embraces of
your tra.sor, fed-fed to the shelter of ia.
ther's house. That night there was storm
on the lea. and storm on the faceof th
voters md in this storm my Marion pc,
ished. Sir king, demand justice.".
!" And you shall hayeit. Ho, my LORI
Buckingham Is their tree high enough
at Maxtoke to string up the varlet who dares
to denounce kings knight, and the Gus.
toms Of this our realm ~
And such is ttejustice of Richard of Eng
land n Let the decree 60 forth, and thous-
and brave arms will avenge the death of
Harry Knollys, the blacksmith of Max.
Yos threaten?''
My iege. prophesy Let Richard be
just, ard the king will have no truer sub.
jeets than the craftsmen of England. crave
a boon, my liege lord. If l have spoken
falsely let the gibbet be my portion. But
let me try the issue with Sir Reginald A
brave man will not disdain to measure his
strength against the humblest artisan."
The king was struck with the mans Ian
guage, and heated with wine, he fancied it
would form some amusement to the company
to witness q contest between Sir Reginald |
and Harry, the blacksmith, having no doubt |
but that the former would prove the better |
man. The mobiles entered into the humor of |
their master-all but Sir Reginald, who felt |
degraded in having to combat with one of |
his serfs, as he regarded him.
The hall was cleared of its tables the |
monarch took his seat on the dais, attended |
by the Duke of Buckingham; the ladies
were Withdrawn; the rumor spread without
that lout was to be allowed to make duel |
with one of the first knights of England.
And Harry Knollys will have the day."
said the weaver.
And Harry Knoly will have the day."
said the cartwright.
And Harry Knollys will have the day."
said the sympathisers. .., 10
ard. 81 Ii <,i;si
"A goblet to Sir Reginald" exclaimed
Buckingham. t T.
All expected that swordsman as expert |
as Sir Reginald de Houghton would have au
easy victory. There was much jeering as
the blacksmith first tried the temper of his /
blade, placed himself on his guard
Sir Reginald" he said addressing his
foe. ''you strove to dishonor ME; this sword |
shall avenge Marion"
They fought.
1t was soon to be seen that the knight and
blacksmith were unequally matched. The
latter was tall, athletic, and no contemplate
swordsman, and had superiority in cool
ness. Richard saw that his knight Sir
Reglcald, had the worst of it, butcould not
retract. The courtiers and mobiles wished
to interpose. The bacchanals were sobered
Richard looked grave - Buckingham was
This for Marion ~ said Harry Knollys, |
driving his sword into the heart of Sir Reg
inald. who dropped dead at his feet.
50 And this"
Ror rme?' demanded the monarch.
''For Buckingham, if he dares to confront
me Much has my poor country to rue,
from the tyranny of that catiff lord ~
A bystander struck the blacksmith on the
mouth; hundred dastardly swords were
drawn. and Harry Knollys fell, covered with
wounds. There was"a tumult without
Harry Knollys had many friends and sup
porters, and Maxtoke Castle was threatened.
1t was easy, however, ito put down few un-
armed eountrymen. The revels, however.
were broken up; and the next morning
Richard, feeling himself unsafe, started for
London.
Next morning was seen dangling on
glbbet, on the keep of the castle, the body
of Harry Knollys.
1t was hoped by this barbarous display to
lntimidate the artisans, craftsmen and yeo-
men. Certain it is, however. that no feud-
al lord in this part of the land, ventured af,
forwards to insist on his rights as he consid-
cred them, of ' first night"
IT,