Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-01-04
ULRYCK'S HORSE.


or or castle, which has now CIisappeared. in
what manner We shall presently see. The site
Itoceupied aiterward became part OF the city,
The events We are about TO relate occurred In
lila, during the reign OF Baudouin a Ia Hache,
valiant prince and q great lover of justice
nisdeeds of the lords of the different castles
and his hghtest chassisement was to punish
IGDa taiionis that Il, head for head, and limb
nevertheless, many lords who were petty tyrants
IN their own domains. Whenever Bsudouin
heard OF their tyranny, he quickly put stop to
1t But he did not know all
Lore Jean POstcanp grevously oppressed
his vassas. lie did this It'll impunity beIisy-
ing himself secure OF protection, as his brother
He was miser and 30 wicked that none dared
bring complaint against him. He had pur-
retail merchant OF Brugss for the necessities of
his household. The price of these goods consti-
tuted half OF the merchants fortune. The
baron refused TO pay him, and consequently the
business affairs of the poor merchant vera
cTamPed for want o; this money.
This state OF things lasted ten years, and then
an the aforementioned yeas, 1i14, the merchant
died. In order to pay his debts 20 the weayers
Of the City, his widow obliged to sell eyery-
thing, and she found herself left with two chill
dren OF tender age, and nothing to dope nd upon
Tor their support except the money which was
due to her from Jean dOstcamp. Three times
she vent to ask him for 1t. and three times did
be cause her to be turned out OF his castle.
IT she had been left alone, the poor, grief
stricken woman wsuld have given up all hope
employment In some weaver 8 shop, thus sup
porting herself by the sweat of her brow. But
how could she support her children. Maternal
love determined her to brave the terror with
which the baron inspired her.
The count of Flanders, Baudouin Ia Hache,
happened to be At Bruges, and she went to the
mass, and waited for him. When he appeared
she threw herself at his feet and told him all her
troubles. Baudouin, while listening to her story,
mechanically put his hand on his terrible axe.
Then rejecting that 1t was not q crime, but
misdemeanor, he restrained himself, and said
kindly TO the widow:
sSend one Of the beadles of Bruges to the
castle OF Jean dOstcaup Immediately, and on
Tomorrow let me know the result OF his mis-
siOn."
The good woman went away But among all
the officers appointed by the count to admins
ter his laws in Bruges, there was nat one who
dared TO go to the castle of Jean. The widow
returned the next day to the door of st. Donat
and related al that had passed to Baudouin.
so they fear man who does not fear the
laws" said the count; "I shall send Uiryck
one of my sergeants, and we shall see what this
fellow viii say TO him. Tell him of your trou-
bles, nv poor woman"
b Tie noble count then addressed few words
10 little man who was in his suite, and then
entered the church.
The little man approached the widow. He
was native OF Flanders, and was calm aud
gentle IN his manners. He was below medium
hight; his countenance was pale but animated,
and expressive OF kindness and good nature
and his eyes were bright and piercing. Under
the title of sergeant, he was entrusted with the
execution OF the counts rigorous orders, in
short, his duties were similar TO those of the
beadles st that time, now called les huissiers
These dHties were little suited to his character
but circumstances had placed him in this situa-
tion.
$50 this man refuses to pay you?" said he,
gently, 10 the good woman.
Yes" replied the widow, "and none of the
civil officers OF Bruses dare present the note 70
him"
'I will 90 to him myself" said the little
man
The grateful woman raised her eyes to Ulryck
and said, with deep emotion: "You are very
good, bat you are not strong. De you not fear
Mons ieneur Jean dostcamp? He is power
ooh. do no. spprehend any DANGER said
Cryck. 81 shall carry nv lions staff, and the
axe OF the powerful count IL embroidered on
my sleeve. He will respect me as an officer OF
his sovereign Return home, my good woman,
and after the holy mass will deliver your mes
justice"
The widow thanked Ulryck, and went away,
her heart oppressed with many conflicting emo
tons and presentiments.
As soon as he had heard mass, Clryck has
tened back TO the counts castle, and going to
the stable, saddled and bridied his little horse
took his ebony staff, on the top OF which was q
silver lion and set ont for the castle of Jean d.
Ostcamp.
H0rses Of good breed ordinarily have a quality
which, for want CT better name, we call in
stinct, and which often stands them in better
stead than our intelligence does us. A horse
will stop at the entrance OF wood infested by
wolves, and nothing will induce him to cross q
forest il he scents the presence of a tiger. Min
(this was the name of Ulryck 5 little horse) pos
tessed IN a marked degree the tact or instinct
The poor animal seemed to forsee peril. if not
to himself at least to his master. The sergeant
had never been able to induce him to 20 into
battle. This little horse did not like danger
but he deeply loved Ulryck, who returned alice
ton for affection. he cared for Min himself,
morning and evening, filed his rack, spread mis-
bed and groomed him, and the animal, accus-
toned to the man, recognized him from afar,
saluting him by neighing, turning his head to
when Clryck was out of sight. If the sergeant
was absent and q strange hand brought hay or
pats TO him, the animal seemed AFFLICTED aud
would not eat. None but his master ever
mounted him.
Min at tunes took inexplicable whims; for in
oifficult road in preference to the shorter and
easier one- Ulryck, who had never been able to
conquer the obstinacy OF his little horse on this
point. usually allowed him 70 have his own way.
'Min knows what he is about" the sergeant
would say, ''if he wants to carry me on the
right hand. which is longer, and increases his
trouble, II IS because he scents danger on the
lsft-kand road"
But when duty required, Ulryck had means
o. vaDquishing the obstInacy Of Min. He would
dismount and proceed on foot, leaving Min to
follow or go back, a. he chose, and the poor an
imal never failed to follow his master like a
dog. Ii any obstacle separated them, as soon
a. he could overcome IL, Min would find Uiryck
and rejoin him in no matter how great q crowd;
and II Ulryck ever started on an excursion
alone, ana any one during his absence opened
the stable door, Min would follow on his track
o the distance OF half a league from Bruges,
the expeditions Of the sergeant never ex-
ed further than that. Every one in the city
y the little horse and could approach him,
would allow no one either TO catch or
4 him.
mention all there details because they
remarkable; let us also add, what Ulryck
often observed, viz: That on every occa-
N that Min had refused TO go. Uiryck had en-
-Juntered dangers. Once during tight with
he Iebellio1s baron, his little horse refusing
70 Zen, Clryck had gone on foot and was
severely wounded.' Many other examples were
cited.
on the occasion OF which we write, Min
showed himself more FESTIVE than usual. He
praneed in a very unruly manner through the
streets Of Bruges, and when they reached the
outskirts OF the city the little animal stopped,
refusing 30 decidedly 70 take the road to Jean
d'0stcampis castle that UIryck became angry.
He had no spurs; they were then worn as q dis
tnctive badge by knights only. But III he had
had one it would not have awaited with Min.
He spoke to him in q threatening tone, but the
horse only lowered his head. Uiryck then struck
him with his ebony staff, bat Immediately re-
GREETED IL MIN only lowered his head still more,
1u1w mir aAg