The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1876-07-08

Nbh Nlpht vi GHAhlItS khADf.
Thomas Erpinghsm was kuighted b,
Henry the Fourth for good and valian
service.
THIS Sir Thomas Erpingham, knight 0
the garter, afterwards fought by the sid
Of Henry the Fifth in the French wars
and was made warden of the Cipqu,
Ports, but retired to Norwich, his uaiiv,
place. He married a beautiful, plou
lady, and, after turbulent career ant
the horrors Of war, desired to end hi
days in charity. Being wealthy and o
one mind, he and Lady Erpingham bull
goodly church in the city, aud alst
erected and endowed a religious house
for twelve monks and a prior close to tn,
knights house, and parted only by bigl
wall.
But though the retired soldier wished
to be at peace with all men, two. of hil
friars We're Of another mind. Friar Johr
and Frar Richard hated each other ant
could by no means be reconciled neither
had ever good word for tothcr and a
last Friar John gave Friar Richard {
fair excuse for his invectives. Lady Er
bingham came over to maths 10 the con
vent. and Friar John would always avail
her coming and attend her through the
cloister with ducks and cringes and ope1
adulations, whereat she smiled, being, il
truth, most innocent lady, affable to all
and slow to think i'll of any man.
But Richard denounced John as a Ii
centious monk, and some watched and
whispered others rebuked Richard, fol
il was against the monastic rule to put
an i'll construction where the matter
might be innocent.
But Richard stood his ground, and
unfortunately Richard was right; misun
derstanding the lady's courtesy and char
ity, Brother John thought his fawninG
advances were encouraged, and this breS
in him such impudence that one day be
sent her fulsome love letter, and hac
the hardibood to beg for private inter
view.
The lady, when she opened this letter
could hardly believe her senses, aud, a
last, as geptlewowen will be both uusus
picious and suspicious iu the wrong place
she made up her mind that the poor,
good, ridiculous friar could never have
been so wicked as to write this; nay bu
it was her husbands doing, and tria
of her virtue. He was older than her
self, and great love is often tainted witt
jealousy.
This brought tears into her eyes, tt
think she should be doubted hut sooI
anger dried them. and she took occasion
to put the letter into Sir Richards hand
and fixed her eyes on him 80 keealy that
if there had been flaw 10 his coDjuga
armor, no doubt those eyes had pierced
it.
The knight read the letter and turne,
black and white with rage; his eye
sparkled with fury and he looked so fear
ful that the lady was very sorry she hat
shown him the letter, and begged hin
not to take madman's folly to heart.
mot take it to heart !" said be.
What these beggarly shavelings tha
| have housed and fed. and SO lessene,
my estate and thine-they shall corrup
thee and rob me of my one earthly treas
ure Sit thou down and write"
"Write-Richard - what 2-.to whom?
do as bid thee. dame" said he
sternly, "and no more words"
Those were days when husbands com
manded and wives obeyed SO she sa
down trembling, and took the pen.
Then be made her write letter bacl
to the friar and say she compassionate,
his love, aud her husband was to rid
toward London that night, and her ser
want, on whom she could depend, shoul,
admit him to her by a side door of tn
house.
Friar John. at the appointed time, tool
care to be 10 the town-ior he knew th
lay brother, who kept the gate of Ii,
priory, would not let him out so late
lie came to the side door, and was admit
ted by q servant Of the knight, reckles
old soldier who cared for neither man no
devil, as the saying is, but only for hi
master. This man took him into a roou
and left him then went for the knieh
he was not far of. Now the unluck
monk, being come to the conquest Of
beautiful lady, as he certainly thought
had fne linen on and perfumed like
civet. The knight smelt these perfumes
and rushed in upon him with bis man
like dogs upon the odoriferous fox. aud
10 fury, without giving him time to cal
for help or to say one prayer, strangle,
him aud left him dead.
But death breeds calm the knight
rage abated that moment, and he saw b
had done foul and remorseless deed
He would have given half his estate t
bring the offender back to life. Half hi
estate - his whole estate, ay. and his life
were now gone from him they were for
feited TO the law. SO did hs pass frou
rage to reDorse, and from remorse /
fear. The rough soldier. seeing him s
stricken, made light Of all. except tn
danger Of discovery. "Come, noble sir,
said he. "let US bestir ourselves and be
stow him where we ne'er be known 10 1t