Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1876-08-03
THE KNIGHTS SECRET.
CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK

And the windo 7s kept opening
and heads popped out to see, and by
and by doors opened and few early
risers joined in the pursuit, wonder
ing and curious.
The cavalcade never cleared the
town of Norwich the friar, in the
blindness of despair, turned his mare
up what seemed to him an open lane,
but there was no exit bis dead pur-
suer came up with him, and be threw
himself off and cried mercy ! Mercy !
mea culpa Il confess i'll confess it |!
only take that horrible face from mel"
and in his despair hc owned that ho
had killed brother John.
Then some led the horse and his
CHASTITY load away, and wondered
sore but others hauled Friar Richard
to Justice be believing it miracle,
and Heavens hand upon him, per-
sisted in his confession, and was cast
into prison to abide his trial.
He had not long to wait. In those
days the law did not tarry for judges
of asqizo to come roun the country
now and then Each town had it's
Mayor and its aldermen, any one Of
whom could try, and hang man If
need was So Friar Richard was
tried next week.
By this inc ne had somewhat re-
covered his spirits and his love Of
life he defended himself, and said
that indeed he had slain his brother
but it was by misadventuro he had
thrown stone at him 10 some anger,
but not to do him deadly harm.
This he said with many tears. Bat
on the other hand, it wa proved that
be had long hated brother John f;
that he had got out of the priory
without passing the door, and had
borrowed the alster's mare on Il
false pretence and finally marks of
strangulation had been found on the
dead mans throat. All this amazed
and overpo wered the poor friar and,
although his terror at the apparition
was not easily to be reconciled with
his having been the person who tied
the body on the horse, and though
one alderman, shrewder than tho
rest, said he thought great deal lay
behind that, yet it was thought the
safest and most usual course to hang
him. SO he was condemned to die in
three days time.
The frar, seeing his end 80 near,
struggled no more against his fate.
He sent for the prior to confess to
him, and told the truth wI.n deep
sorrow and humility.
"Ned culpa nsea culpd !" he cried.
If had not hated my brother and
broken our rule, then this had not
come upon me-"
Then the prior gave him full abso-
luton, and went away exceeding
sorrowtuI, and doubling the wisdom
and justice of laymen, and in particu-
lar of those who were about to hang
brother Richard for willful murder.
This preyed upon his mind, and he
went to Sir Richard Erpingham to
utter his misgivings, and pray the
good Knight to work upon the sher-
iff. who was his friend, for a respite
until the matter could be looked into
more closely.
The knight was not at home. but
my lady saw the prior, and learned
his errand. s.Alas, good father" said
she, oSir Richard is not here he has
gone to London this two days"
The prior went home sick at heart
Even so long ago as this they
hung from Norwich Castle. So the
rude gallows was put up at seven
O'Clock, and at eight brother Richard
must hang and turn in the wind like
o weather>cock.
But before that fatal hour Kings
messenger galloped into the city and
spurred into the court yard of the
castle. Very soon the sheriff was
reading q parchment signed by the
Kings own hand. The gallows were
taken down, and the people dispers-
ed by degrees. Some felt ill used.
They thought appointments should
be kept, or else not made
At night Friar Richard, not re-
proved, but to the amszement of
smaller functionaries, freely pardon
ed by bis Sovereign. in handwriting
q heusemaid of this day would blush