American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1875-01-09
The Custom of DunmOw.

ONE sunny autumn day, hundreds of
years ago, when the religion of Rome
prev allied in England, the prior of the
old Convent of Dunmow, gentle and
holy man, was told that two young
1t rangers were at the door and solicl' ed
an interview with him. He rose, ana
accompanied by two or three of the
brothers betook himself to the portal OF
the convent, where he found very
handsome young man and fair young
woman kneehng reverentiy on the
stones They were dressed like peasants,
but the youth had a stately air, while
the beauty of his companion shone
through her coarse dress like star from
out a cold, gray cloud
What is it that you desire, my chill
dren.-and why do you kneel here SO
humbly?" asked the kind old prior.
The young man looked up with happy
smile, most beautiful to see, and replied {:
" Father, twelve months and day have
passed since we were wedded-and from
that blessed hour we have lived in per
feet peace, confidence and love. Not
one word of bitterness. unkIndness or
dissension has passed between US. We
have gone on, growing more and more
happy, grateful and loving day by day,
and now we have come to this holy
house of our blessed Lady of Dunmow
love that has stood SO good a test"
The prior smiled benignly, and, stretch
ing out his thin, white hands, he blessed
them fervently, rejoicing, uevout old
monk though he was, in their beauteous
youth, their faith and JOY and tender
love.
The welded lovers bowed their fair
heads yet more humbly, seeming to feel
that gracious benediction falling upon
IL 10 sol oh.
Then they rose up, murmured their thanks
and were about to turn away from the
door when they caught sight of the con-
vent cook coming down into the cour IT
bearing on his back huge fitch of
brown bacon. The cook was fat, lazy.
short breathed old fellow, and he seemed
SO overwhelmed by his burden that the
happy young couple, beholdlng him,
laughed out right merrily. The old prior
laughed also and even the solemn monks
behind him seemed glad of an Opportu-
nifty to stretch the stiff muscles about
their mouths and smiled grimly at the
ludicrous sight.
All at once pleasant thought seemed
to strike the venerable prior and he said
to the pleasant couple: My children,
take you that mighty fitch of bacon as a
testimonial for your fidelity and tender
affection toward one another. Methlnks
such love as yours maketh the whole
world better and brighter. The story of
it hath given a sweetness to this autumn
morn beyond the sweetness of summer
roses. So take our lovely gift-feast
your friends upon it, and think sometimes
on the Convent of DunmOw and on the
old man who has done with the life of
the world but not with gentle, human
sympathies."
The young man seemed touched, and
smiled softly as he responded: 1--WE
thank thee, good prior, for thy gift. 1t
is dear to us, not for its value, but be-
cause it proves that thou esteemest our
love a good and beautiful thing, and that
the blessing of the priest came from the
heart of the man. l now give in return,
to the Convent of Dunmow, certain
broad lands near by, which will yield
thee and the holy brothers a thousand
marks year. But to this grant annex
this condition: Whenever a welded
pair shall come to the convent and swear
by the blessed Lady of Dunmow that
they have lived as we have lived, in per-
feet love and concord, for year and a
day, they shall receive a goodly fitch
of bacon. So, reverend father, out of a
simple chance a useful and pleasant GUS
tom shall grow-and as long as hungry
folks shall -elish good bacon the example
of our love shall endure, and our names
and thine be blessed So mote it bel"
The prior and the monks looked at the
speaker in silent astonishment, and it
was noticed that even the pretty young
wife stepped little back from her hus-
band and gazed at him fxedly, like one
bewildered.
MY son" at length spoke the prior
"thou art lighthearted as beseemeth
one of thy years, but thou should'st not
jest with reverend men like us-if SO be
thou dost jest if not, who art thou, and
of what degrees"
NAY, father, replied the young man
gravely, 81 do not jest. In me thou
81. est thy neighbor, Sir Reginald Fitz-
water. / am, as thou knOwest, rich
enough to fulfill my promise to the con-
vent am indeed the richest of men,
since Heaven hath blessed me with this
priceless treasure"-and he drew to his
breast the beautiful lady, who still gazed
on him in blushing bewilderment. Then
he continued: 1T was by q happy
chance, while journeying idly, far from
my own domains, that | first saw my
love, the sweetest flower of womanhoOd,
blooming in cottage garden In the
disguise of peasant l wOoed and won
her, and now after our trial of year and
a day am conducting her in pride and
joy to the noble halls she is to grace and
brighten. Dear love, pardon me that l
OlQ play part. L nave Deen nappy In
sharing thy lowly condition, may'st thou
be happy in sharing my higher estate.
Holy prior and my good fathers, l will
send a man and a mule for the converts
gift-mine may you all live many years
to enjoy"
There was great rejoicing at the con-
vent-but greater at the castle, when
Sir Reginald, who had been sorely missed,
came walking quietly and smilingly
through its great arched portal, with his
gentle bride-and when the rare beauty
of the young couple came out from I'M
der the eclipse of their rude peasant
dress, and shone respondent in the rich
costume becoming their station. But all
said that the light of love and content in
the young husbands eyes was rarer
and more beautiful sight to see than the
diamond circlet he placed on the fair
head of his bride-and that even those
costly jewels seemed to pale in the radi-
ance of her sweet, simple graciousness-
the "ornament of a meek and quiet
spirit" which she always wore.
1t is said that Sir Reginald and Lady
Fitzwater lived nanny happy years, and
died on the same day and were buried in
one grave.-Grdce Greenwood, in The
Record
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