Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-01-01

friar kept turning and yelling, and the
windows kept opening and heads popped
( out to see, and by and By doors opened
and few early rsers joined in the pur-
suit, wondering aud curious.
The cavalcade never cleared the town
of Norwich; the iriar, in the blindness of
despair, turned his marc up what seemed
to be an open lane; bat there was no
exit; his dead pursuer came up with
him, and he threw himself of aud cried
"Mercy mercy mea culpa II confess
it! confess it only take that horrible
face from mer and in his despair he
owned that he had slain brother John.
Then some led the horse and bis ghast-
ly load away. and wondered sorei but
others hauled Friar Richarl to justice;
and he believing It was 4 miracle, and
Heavens hand upon him. persisted in bis
confession, and was cast into prison to
abide his trial.
He had not long to wait. In those
days the Law dill not tsrry fnr Judges OF
nssize 10 como round the country now
aud then. Each town had is Mayor AID
its Alderman. any ore Of whom could
try and hang a man il need vas. So
Richard was tried next week.
BY this time he had some what recov-
cred his spirits and his love OF lie. lie
defended himself aud said that indeed he
had slain his brother. but II was by mis-
adventure. lie had thrown stone at
him in anger, bat not TO do him deadly
harm. This he said with many tears.
But, on the other hand. it was proved
tha, be had long hated brother John; that
be got out OF the priory without passing
the door, aud had borrowed the masters
marc on false pretencei and finally
marks of strangulation had been found
on the dead mans throat. All this
amazed and overpowered the poor iriar,
aud 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 alder
man, shrewder than the rest said he
thought great deal lay behind that, yet
upon the whole il WAS thought the safest
and most usual course TO hang him. 50
be was condemned 10 aie-in three days
time.
The iTiar seeing bis end so near, s,rug-
gled no more against his fate. He sent
Tor the prior to confess him, and told the
truth with deep sorrow and humility
"Mea culpa uea culpsl" he cried. al
had no, hated my brother and broken
our rule. this had not come upon me.
Then the prior gave him full abosou-
ton. and went away exceeding sorrowiul
and doubling the wisdom and justice OF
laymeu. and in particular OF those who
were about to hang brother Richard for
wiltul murder. This preyed upon bis
mind, and he went TO Sir Thomas Erp-
ingham to utter his misgyings and pray
the good knight to work upon the Sher-
III, who was his friend, for 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.
Alas, good father !" said she. "Sir
Thomas is not here he is gone 10 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 gal
lows was put up at seven O'Clock, and at
eight Brother Richard must hang and
turn in the wind like weather-cock.
But before that fatal hour Kings mes
genger galoped.into the city and spurred
into the courtyard OF the castle. Very
soon the Sheriff was reading parchment
signed by the Kings own hand; the gal
lows were taken down, and the people
dispersed by degrees. Some felt ill-used.
They thought appointments should be
kept, or eselnot made.
At night Friar Richard, not reprieved.
but. 10 the amazement OF smaller tunc-
tionaries, freely pardoned by his sover-
eign in handwriting housemaid OF
this day would blush Tor. but with glor-
ous seal the size of an apple-fritter, crept
forth into the night and, gliding along
the street with his head down, slipped
into the priory. and was lost to the world
for many a long day. Indeed he was
confined to his cell for a month by order
of the prior, aud ordered to pray thrice
day for the soul of brother John.
When brother Richard emerged from
his cell be was q changed man. He had
gathered amid the thorns of tribulation
the wholesome fruit OF humility and the
immortal flower OF charity. Henceforth
no bitter words ever fell from his lips.
though Tor a time he had many provoca-
tions, and "Honi soft qui NAL pense,
was the rule of his heart. He made him.
self of little account, and outllved all
; eumities. He lived much in his cell, and
4 prayed so often for the soul of brothe'
1 John that at last he got to love him dead
J whom he hated living.
5 Time rolled on. The Knights hail
/ turned gray aud the good prior died.
0 Then there was great c0mmoiion il
A ,Lo l;,,la nr;orv and ihree or four OF The