The weekly Butte record., 1864-01-02
The Village Blacksmith.

Richard the Third-Shakespeare's
hunchback-ostensibly for the purpose
of administering justice, abolishing
abuses, and rcdressing grievances, but
really for the purpose of creating for
himself the popularity which his violent
and criminal usurpation prevented him
from enjoying, paid a visit to Maxtoke
castle, and lodged for the night as the
guest of the Duke of Buckingham.
The king was accompanied by
splendid retinue of peers and knights
and squires and attendants of every de
gree: and the resources of the Lord Of
Maxtoke, ample though they were, had
enough strain upon them to furnish forth
feast suitable for the royal Richard
and his followers.
The hall, with its curiously carved
chimney and door, its lofty, grained
ceiling, and It's long, narrow windows,
was used as a dining hall. A long ta-
bic, at the head of which, on a slightly
raised platform, crimson covered chair
which did duty as throne, was placed
on which the king sat. Behind and on
each side Of him stood no less than six
ty gentlemen, some of whom held the
rank of knights, with drawn swords,
whose duty 1t was to act as guard to the
monarch-for Richard, like all usurp-
crs, labored under the constant appre-
hension of assassination.
The rich and various viands of the
feast having been discussed and dis
missed, the blood red and golden wines,
the choicest produce from the most ia
NOUS vintages Of France and Spain,
were being rapidly poured forth in gold
and silver tankards to the appropriate
toastS, when the king commanded that
proclamation should be made that any
person, 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 intended to be purely formal af-
fair. One man understood the matter
differently, and took the king at his
word. The proclamation went abroad
with the bray of trumpet and much os-
tentation, but the heralds looked as if
they felt that no man of plebian origin
would dare to take advantage Of the
circumstance, much less to prefer an
accusation against the powerful Duke
OF any of his retalners.
Harry knollys was the man who ap-
peared at the gate of Maxtoke Castle.
and demand audience of the King. The
warders took him for mad. He, the
village blacksmith and farrier. to dare
to approach the royal presence! He,
Harry knollys. the unwashed, the un-
shorn, to enter the hall, perfumed with
the richest wines and blazing with wax
lights, and filed with the gayest court
iers Of England. 4 gavelin man gave
him poke in the ribs, and other indig-
mites were offered to the honest black
smith. He appealed to the terms of
the proclamation, and backed by his
neighbors, insisted upon seeing the king.
"Justice. Justice! !" was shouted by
hundred voices; and the clamor be-
came 50 'oud that it reached the ears of
the banqueters.
The king arose in some alarm and
looked suspiciously at Buckingham,
who instantly Went out to inquire the
cause of the disturbance.
He speedily re-entered; and with a
loud laugh, in which all but the king
joined, related how the village black
smith, availing himself Of the terms Of