The Shasta courier., 1863-12-19
The Village Blacksmith.

Richard the Third-Shakspeare' hunch.
back-ostinsibly for the purpose of admin.
istering justice, abolishing abuses, and re-
dressing grievances, but really for the pr--
pose Of creating for himself the popularity
which his violent and criminal usurpation
prevented him from enjoying, paid yisitro
Maxtoke Castle, and lodged for the night Is
the guest of the Duke of Buckingham. {
The king was accompanied by splenGN
retinue of peers and knights and squires aid
attendants of every degree; and the resouK
es of the Lord of Maxtoke, ample though
they were, had enough strain upon them 10
furnish forth feast suitable for the royal
Richard and his followers.
The hall, with its curiously carved Chin
ney and door, its lofty, grained ceiling, aid
its long, narrow windows, was used as a dih-
ing haiiAA long table. at the head pf
which. on slightly raised platform. cria-
son covered chaii, which did duty as a
throne, was placed OF. which the king sat.
Behind and on each side OF him stood no less
than sixty gentlemen, some OF whom held
the rank Of knights, with drawn swords,
whose duty it was to act as body guard to
the monarch-for Richard, like all usurpers,
labored under the constant apprehension of
assassination.
The rich and various viands of the feast
having been discussed and dismissed, the
blood red and golden wines, the choicef
produce of the most famous vintages of Franz
and Spain, were being rapidly poured forty
in gold and silver tanknrds to the approprf
ate toasts, when the king commanded that
proclamation should be made that any PEI
son. having just cause of complaint against
the Duke of Buckingham, or any other local
administrator of justice, might now appear
before the king and state the ground Of
grievance.
On this occasion the proclamation was in
tended to be a purely formal affair. org
man understood the matter differently, and
took the king at his word. The proelania-
tion went abroad with tho bray Of trumpet
and much ostentation, but the hcrelds looked
as if they felt that no man of plebian origin
would dare to take advantage of the circum-
st lnce, much less to prefer an accusation
against the powerful Duke, or any of his re-
tainers.
Harry Knollys was the man who appeared
at the gate of Maytoke Castle, and deman.
ded audience of the king. The warders toos
him FIR mad. He, the village blacksmith
and farrier, to dare to approach the royal
presence He, Harry Knollys, the unwashed,
the unsborn to enter the hall, perfumed with
the richest wines ind blazing with wax
lights and filled with the gayest courtiers of
England. A gaveln man man gave him
poke in the ribs, and other indignities were
offered to the honest blacksmith. He APP
pealed to the terms of the proclamation, and
backed by his neighbors, insisted upon see-
ing the king.
Justice justice ~ was shouted by
hundred voices and the clamor became SO
loud that it reached the ears of the banquet
eers.
The king arose in some alarm and looked
suspicously at Buckingham, who instantly
went out to inquire the cause of the disturb
ance.
He speedily re-entered; and with loud
laugh, in which all but the king gjoined, re.
lated how the village blacksmith, availing
himself of the terms of the proclamation, do
manded audience of his majesty.
Beshrew me ~ exclaimed Reginald
de Heughton, - should not wonder If the
catiH has come to claim ike lands of Max
toke-perhaps your majesty's crown'.
The king did not join in the mirth which
followed. eff he be an honest man let him
enter, said the king. i h,
And the mobiles and courtiers were silent,
yet not without expectation of enjoying some
rairth at the expense of the rustic
Harry Knollys was ushered into the pres
ence of King Richard. A tall, smart, come
ly fellow he was, with an intellectual coun-
tenance and superior bearing. He was not
at all daunted by the presence of so many
mobiles !; was thoroughly self.possessed, and
made his bow to the king if not with the
breeding of courtier, at least with the dig
nifty of freeman There was one man pres
ent who did not Behold Harry without
slight misgiving, and that was Reginald de
Houghton. Buckingham regarded him con-
Richard was struck with the independent
bearing of the man, and was the first to
break the silence.
"Speak nan ~ he said Have We aught
to say against our cousin Buckin CHAM p
Richard will dojustice."
Richard shall do justice !" said Harry.
HShall I"
Shallln
q Par ma fcir' exclaimed the half in
toxicated sovereign. 'fhe churl speaks
boldly. And what of Buckingham ?'''i
% Much. have and others to complain of
the Duke of Buckingham, nv liege; but my
immediate plant is not against him. There
stands by your majesty's chair traitor a"
50 Traitor-traitor rI'' exclaimed the king,
glancing around him. What means this,
my Lord of Buckingham ?"
81 Simply. may it please your grace, that
the poor fellow has lost his wits in the village
alehouse. Shall we remove him, my liege p
The face of Harry Knollys glowed with
honest indignation but he mustered his
passion and spoke calmly.
"Yes, my king, traitor, or one who
would be a traitor to woman's honor and good
fame; and such a traitor l denounce in the
person of Reginald de Houghton u a
+" Hal ha I How is this Reginald ?"
inquired the king.
II agree with you, my Lord Bucking
ham, that the poor man has lost his wits in
the aleheuse.' -. -,
Speak out, varlet !" thundared the mon
arch . And. 70, every lie a tooth shall be
extracted from your jaw; and, st last. your
tongue shall pay the forfeit due to mendaei,
ty. Speak iv - -
% Sire !" said Harry, calmly and respect
fully, 'I claim the kings proclamation ~