The Shasta courier., 1866-10-13

HoPe, without taking one side or tie other.
mecitated between the rival monarchs and
decided that the King of England should re-
main IN possession Of Normandy, on condi-
tion OF his son doing homage for it to France.
All enorts to obtain some settlement in favor
OF Cllto proved futile. He had nothing left
Dut the personal friendship of Louis and that
nobility of soul which teaches the brave
spirit never to hold counsel with despair.
However, this princely youth, in spite of
unpropltlous fortune and false friends-in
spite OF having to eat the bread and climb
the stairs of another, continued to grow day
by day in favor and popularity. He, unlike
his father, was so prudent in pecuniary mat
ters that people called him a miser but he
was loved and admired by all who knew
him, and especially the Normons, who re-
garded him with pride as the darling of their
nation. His immediate prospects were not
cheering, it was true, but hope could still
gild the future; and now that the son of
Beauclerc was no more, the probability of
Normandy and the crown of England was
not out of the question. A great confedera
cy OF continental princes was already form
ing with the object of vindicating his right
when a transaction, most characteristic of
DOouSiOiS3 PiCOtPitutCu tuC iucNltdDlt CTlslS.
The Earl of Flanders having been slain
by conspirators at the foot of the altar, the
King of France, as liege lord, entered the
expedition Clito accompanied his royal
brother-in law. and Louis conferred upon him
the vacant earldom. As heir of Matilda Of
Flanders, the conqueror's queen, Clito's
hereditary claim was unexceptionable and
the Flemish people offered no opposition to
their new earl. The ,n,;;ass of France, hav-
ing seen his nominee farl y installed, took
his departure, under the impression that his
young relative was secure, and in favor.
able position for prosecuting his designs on
Normandy. But scarcely was the kings
back turned when the Flemings formed a
conspiracy, and sent for aid to the English
monarch, whose ruling passion nov was to
accomplish his nephew's ruin.
Clito was at Ypres when the conspiracy.
was formed, and the Flemings resolved to
attack by night the fort where he lay. 1t
happened, however, that the handsome prince
had inspired young lady of Ypres with
romantic attachment and she, on becoming
aware of what was intended, rushed to his
presence, and with tears revealed the plot
Upon becoming aware of this, Clito hastily
left Ypres with his friends, and taking the
damsel with him, caused her to be escorted
to William, Duke of Aquitaine, with re
quest that she should be provided with a
suitable husband. After this he prepared
for action.
The Flemings said in their haste This
is mere tyro in war" They forgot, in
their conceit and selfsuflciency, the battles,
fortunes, and seiges Clito had passed, and
deluded themselves with the anticipation of
an easy victory. He soon convinced them
how deeply they were mistaken, aud scat.
tered their ill.directed host.
One summer night-so chroniclers assert
poor, old, blind Robert who for well nigh
twenty years had known no mate but misery,
while sleeping in his dungeon at Cardiff,
dreamed that his son was mortally wounded
with lance in the arm, and next morning,
exclaimed mournfully to his keeper:
Alas l fear my son is dead"
1t soon appeared that his dream had come
through that gate of horn of which poets
have sung. While engaged in sharp skir-
mish with the garrison of Alost. Clito,
catching at the lance of an antagonist, was
slightly cut under the ball of his right thumb.
The wound, which at first appeared a mere
scratch, ere long, from neglect or improper
treatment, produced modification.
Aware that his last hour was approaching,
Clito wrote to his uncle, imploring pardon
for those Normans who had followed his
fortunes. Having discharged this duty, the
gallant prince expired on the 9th of July,
ll2S.