The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1876-11-22
now A QUEEN RAN AWAY.


dred years ago, and three centuries at
least before Columbus discovered
America-there was born in England
a little girl to whom they gave the
name of Matilda. Her father was the
King, Henry l., surnamed Beauclerc,
because he was so good scholar,
though / rather fancy our high.school
boys could beat his learning without
trouble.
When little Matilda was Eve years
old she married to the Emperor Of
Germany.
The little Empress Matilda was the
only child left the King, and his heart
was set on bequeathing to her the
crown Of England. Before his death
in 1923, he called the mobiles of his
Kingdom together, and made them
swear allegiance to her as queen. The
Emperor, Matilda's husband, had
died before this, and Matilda was mar
ried again to the French Earl of
Anjou. After her fathers death she
came to England, and was crowned at
Winchester.
All her life long-whether as priD-
cess, empross, or queen Matilda
was vain, passionate, indicative,
hasty, arrogant, and inconsiderate of
other people.
She exasperated the common people
by imposing heavy taxes and making
oppressive laws. just when che should
have conciliated and soothed them.
England had never been ruled by a
woman before. Both the mobiles and
the people disliked the idea Of a queen
and Matilda did nothing TO make her
sex popular. She was ungenerous also.
Her cousin, and rival, Stephen, who
afterward became king in her stead,
once surprised and captured her 10
| Arundel Castle, and. instead oftletain.
ing, courteously let her 60, and even
furnished her with an escort to her
friends. Later she in turn captured
Stephen; but far from returning his
kind treatment and rsciproeating it,
she loaded him With chains, threw him
into the dungeon of Bristol Castle.
| A little longer, and it was again
Stephens turn. He made his escape
from Bristol, gained one battle after
another, and pursued Matilda so hotly
that more than once she slipped
through his fingers almost by mira
Gle. These escapes of Queen Matilda
are celebrated in history. Whole vol.
umcs Of romances might be written
about them, so picturesque and aston.
ishing are they. -Iff-hg
Once, whPA the citizens Of London
rose suddenly against her, she got of
by jumping on her horse and galloping
out of the city only FIVE minutes before
the gates of her palace were battered
down. Another time she fed from
Gloucester in the same way, the Earl
of Gloucester and few gallant knights
remaining behind to keep the pursuers
at bay. Again, it is said she feigned
death, and was carried in q hearse,
with long train Of mourners. all the
way to Gloucester TO Devices. But
most romantic Of all, and most adven.
turous, was her escape from Oxfsrd.
| Oxford boosted strong castle in
those days. Into this the Empress
queen had thrown herself, and fol
three months had defended it bravely
Then provisions gave out. and no hope
was left but fight. But how to fly
| stephens army lay on every side like
cats around a mouse. hole.
1t was in the extremity that an IN
expected ally came to the rescue O
Queen Matilda. This ally was nt
other than that doer of good turns
Jack frost. One December night h'
went silently down, laid a cold harC
floor across the River Thames wrapped
all the world in heecy snow, and ther
flying to tho castle windows, tapped
with his cracking icy knuekles, whis
tiled, sang, and made many sorts ofolC
noises, as much as to say, "All il
ready, come out and take walk.
Matilda heard, aud bright plan pop
ped into her darling head. She called
four trusty knights, bade them wral
/ themselves in white, put on herself
white dress aud cloak, covered he
black hair with a white hood, and
like spirits, all set forth on foot. Thei
steps made no sound as they crep
along, and their white figures Gas
hardly a shadow Ola the whittier snow
Through the besiegiug camp the
crept and across the river. No sentina
= spied them not even a dog barked
If any lonely peasant walked up an
caught a glimpse of the dim shape
gliding by, he probably took them 70
ghosts, aud hid his head under tn
bed clothes again as quick as possible