The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1878-02-22
Young Folks.
ROBIN HOODS MIRACLE.
BY II. II. BUTTRWORTH.

Fair, fair was the forest of Sherwood In
the days of Robin Hood: long were the sum.
mers that garmented the forests with green,
and bright were the autumns that Drowned
the thickets and coverts from which the mer
ry hunters, clad in Lincoln-green, started
the deer. The silver horns of Robin Hoods
merry men divided in the morning, and
their notes were lost in the great deep forests
but they blended again at evening, echoing
at first from afar and then drawing near.
Then merry were the tales of the hunters,
as the red moon rose in the dusky shadows,
and poured her light over the forests like
silver sea.
Robin Hood performed a most wonderful
miracle in his day.
Perhaps, though, you may not think it so
wonderful after all.
We will tell it to you as very old ballad
told it to us.
One day Robin, being in a merry mood,
took it into his head to go into the kings
highway in the disguise of Friar. He put
on hood, gown, cruci6x and beads, and
walked off slowly, looking very demure and
woe. begone.
He had not gone far, when he met two
lusty priests, clad in black, and riding gal.
lantly along.
"Benedicite p he said. "Have pity on
poor friar, who has been wandering since
morning, without meat or drink"
I'm the name of the Virgin" said one of
the priests, 1--WE cannot help thee. We've
been robbed, and haven't penny to help
ourselves"
Robin laid hold on the priests robes, and
drew him from the horse. Robin was so stout
man that the priest could not resist, and
when he commanded the other priest to dis
mount, he dared not disobey him.
"You say you have no money!" said Rob.
in. "Neither have II
"You know how to pray ?" said Robin.
EYES," said the priests,
''Then let us all fall on our knees, we
three together, and for money we will pray
earnestly, and we will see what Heaven will
send"
The priests knelt down.
"Now pray" said Robin.
They prayed very dolefully. At last they
began to weep and wiring their hands. Then
Robin began to dance.
The priests prayers became more doleful
than ever. But Robin said
"Pray Prayw
They prayed very long time.
"Now put your hands into your pockets,
and see if you nave received an answer to
your prayers"
The first priest felt in his pockets, then
rolled up his eyes very solemnly and
said
Nothing"
'Let me feel" said Robin.
The priests now looked more troubled
than ever,
Robin searched the pockets of one, and
drew forth purse heavy with gold
"What an answer to prayers" said Robin,
and he searched the other and found an
other purse.
The two priests were struck dumb-what
could they sayy If they had spoken truly
at first, here indeed WAS miracle! The
old ballad says that they "sighed wondrous
heavy"
"You have prayed well," said Robin, en-
couragingly, seeing their detected looks
'Here are five hundred pounds. Now we
will divide it."
And divide it he did. He gave each priest
fifty pounds for praying so well, and kept
the rest himself But the two priests did
not seem very much pleased with Robins
division aud liberal present but rode away
looking more woeful than ever
always speak the TRUTH" said Robin to
the two priests, as they departed and we
have sort of suspicion that if they had
spoken the truth about their money to the
bold outlaw, as good priests ought, the mira
acle would not have been so great Wide
AwGke.