Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1873-09-11
SELECT STORY.
TIE WoRGE OF LAEBToN.
BIZ AGILE PENNB.

Down through the sunny wales o
Durham rolled the sparkling rive1
Wear, the fairest streamlet in all merrie
England. .<
From Brigdford Chapel the bells
rung loud and clear on that foyfu
Easter noon white haired peasant and
aged dame, bou1om youth and bashful
maid and lord and lady, bright dressed
in holiday array, through the verdan1
glade, and the great green wood, bent
their steps to the sacred dome.
But John of Larnbton-Lambton's
heir-turned not his steps toward the
holy shrine. He cared not for solemn
mass or supplicating prayer, but rather
joyed in the fight, the chase, and in
every kind Of sin. --
And on the holy Easter morn he
donned his coat of green, and with his
creel slung DER his shoulder, and his
light rod in his hand, bent his steps
toward the running stream. By the
bank of the ripping Wear he met fair
Ellen, the daughter of Mowbray, earl.
John of Lambton loved the gentle,
well-born maid, whose eyes rivaled the
purple Of the pansy, and whose dainty
skin shamed the fresh tints Of the fair,
blush-rose.
And on that holy morn, leaning
lightly on the fishing rod, in scornful
contempt of fasting and Of sin, he
dared to speak of love to the lady who,
with prayer book in hand, was on he,
way to join the holy rites.
A single instant the violet eyes
looked into the bold, frank blue CRIBS oil
the heir of Lambton then slowly, the
sweet lips made reply:
"Oh, John, there was a time whe1
my heart would have leaped with JOY
at such words as you spoke but now,
but Ellen Mowbray can never wed with
one who SCOTS at psalm and priest, and
makes jest Of the ave and the creed
Sure, some dreadful i'll will come to
thee and thine; be warned by me; lay
aside thy wicked intent, and come te
the sacred shrine, and bend the knee il
holy prayer. t. 81. ..9 .. -.
| Scornfully the heir of hampton mad.
reply: .,...s.,...
"No mumbling priest or senseless
rite for me; rather the ripping waters
and the play of the troutlet's shiny side
and if i'll do come to me and mine, the1
to thee and thy prayers will l come fol
quick relief"
And John Of Lampten passed OF
with frowning brow and quick step
Along the side of the shady Weal
he took his way. The dun flies of his
casting line dropped lightly on The
| surface of the stream, but no spotted
trout or silvery salmon darted at tn,
cunning lure.
| Six long hours that April morn tn,
line in vain he cast; an empty creel ant
an aching arm alone were his.
The castle bell proclaimed the moor
nigh.
A last cast he'd try. A maggo
worm he affixed to his line, and cas-
it in the purling waters, and when h,
drew it out, wonderful was the prize h,
got; a strangely formed thing like to
piece ofmuddy weed, but like no fish il
the Wear, nor any creature that crawle,
the meadow. 1t was scarce an Incl
and half in length, dark green il
color, and on the rough and scaly bacl
were two little fins 1t had lon.
and pointed snout like unto the mout
of a Shiny eel, and in its white and loosl
hanging jaws were twelve pin-lik
teeth. 1t had sharp claws upon its fee
short ears upon its head, jointed tai
and the little quick eyes which gleame
so bright, were of fiery red.
In disgust John Of champion surveye