River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-10-18
a state of defense. the Client men were in

only of saving his own life He had left
his own palace with blaze of torches, 10
repair to the market place and put him
self at the head of the citizens whom he
had already commanded to assemble
there. when he was met by q frightened
crowd of knights and squires, who assur-
ed him that not only was the towns in
possession of the men of Ghsnf. but that
a large body of these rebels was even ct
that moment in the act of surrounding
him for the purpose of taking him alive.
Heavens cried the earl, in terror.
which way will retreat."
There is now no certain way open for
you, my Lord y was the terrible reply
''for whatever avenue is not now closed,
will be before you can use it--even your
palace. we fear, is by this time in pos
session of your enemies"
what then is to be done. What then
can ! dOf Oh, save me- save me!' cried
the wretched man.
Your only chance, my lord. is TO or
der out these lights, disguise your person
dismiss all attendants, and escape alone
in the darkness" was the fearful answer.
On hearing this the earl instantly dis
mounted, commanded the torches TO be
extinguished, and his attendants 10 dis
perse; and selling his servant by the arm
he fed with him into a small dark street
where his srmor and rich apparel were
hastily removed, and the humble gar
ments of the other substituted.
Now go said the earl, in low, hlr-
ried tone, ''and leave me to myself. Save
yourself if you can; and if / escape. l will
reward you. II taken, remember you
know nothing OF me-
II will die sooner than betray you, my
lord - replied the faithful valet
They separated; and in the humble
dress of bis own servant, the proud and
naughty earl began to wander up and
down the streets of his own city, seeking
some mean obscure place of safety.
What change had a few short hours
effected in the fortunes of this man! He
who rose in the pride and power of a
king, would have been glad to have sunk
to peaceful sleep in the rags OF beg
gar.
1t was terrible night for the wander
ing earl Of Flanders. He had some very
narrow escapes-mOre than once casting
himself down in some dark passage, or
drawing himself up in some dark door
way, while the providing crowd was hur-
rying past. At last. finding himself IN a
miserable quarter in the city. and in front
of mean-looking hut, the danger pressed
him to seek his safety within. He tried
the door, found il unfastened, and enter
cd in trembling haste. The room was
small, almost without furniture and black
with smoke and dirt A woman and a
child appeared to be its only occupants;
and the mother turned upon him with
pallid features and clasped hands, evil
IDENTIFY fearing he had come to take her
life. The earl knew that there was not n
moment to be lost, and he instantly
threw himself upon her mercy without
disguise.
Woman" he said, with trembling
eagerness, II am thy lord, the earl OF
Flanders, seeking to escape from my enc
mics, who are searching the city. In
Heavens name, hide me-save me-and
great shall be thy rewardi'
The moment she spoke, she recognized
him. for she had often seen him pass; and
poor and humble though she was, she
possessed a nerve and presence OF
mind equal to the emergency. Instant
Is she seized his arm, and pointed to a
ladder which led To miserable loft
above.
Quick, my lord, " she cried; "spring up
there, and crawl under the bed in which
my children are asleep
In moment he had disappeared; and
almost the next moment the door was
thrown open and several armed men
entered the room, and found the poor
woman quietly bending over her infant
child
where's the man that Just now entered
heresn demanded the foremost.
By my tToth," replied the woman with
the GOODNESS of Spartan mother, I've
seen no man except yourselves.
woman. beware of falsehOod! We
saw his figure, and the door open and
shut,
You saw my figure then, for I've just
been To the door to throw out same water.
Faith. If there is any other man here, pray
tell me where he is hid This room, and
the one above where my children are
asleep, comprise my whole house, which
YOU can search in a minute. If you doubt
my word, gentlemen, suppose you see for
yourselves.
As she spoke she handed the leader OF
the crowd candle; and be at once as
cended the ladder and looked in the loft
where he saw only the children huddled
together and asleep on their miserable
bed. He returned satisfied, declared
that he must have made a mistake; and
he and his companions, Immediately de-
parted. leaving the trembling earl be-
meath tbs rude bed, thanking Heaven for
his wonderful escape.
Thus was the proud Earl OF Flanders
preserved through that terrible night in
the disguise of his servant, under the bed
of poor woman's children. The next
night he escaped from the town in the
garb of peasant, and. after wandering
about the fields for time. at last fell in
with some of his own knights, and sue
ceeded in reaching the Castle of Lille in
safety.
Nearly all the surrounding cities sur
rendered 10 Client; and Philip Won Ar
taveld and Peter du Bots became war
riors of great renOwn in the war that fol-
lowed, which soon involved the kingdoms
of England and France.
Philip Won Artaveld was slain in battle
aud not long after the Earl of Flanders
died suddenly, it is supposed by the
hand of an assassin.
A Desperate Editor.
II, 800 soI Ch,Ilo1,or r~iyaS ~ fIe Dee,