Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-06-18
Boys of English History.

so loudly, and the wind RACES so angrily,
that Hubert de Burgh, the warden, does
not for long time distinguish the sound
of knocking and shouting at the outer
gate of the castle. Presently, however, in
a lull of the wind, his ears catch the noisy
summons, and he instantly gives orders to
his men to let down the drawbridge, and
admit the new comers. These were three
in number; one attired as kings messen-
ger, and mounted on a richly caparisoned
horse; the other two in the garb Of COM
mon men and on foot When they had
come into the presence of the warden, the
kings messenger said:
II am charged by his majesty, King
John of England to deliver to you this
letter, and require your faithful discharge
of its commands"
So saying he handed to Hubert de Burgh
a sealed letter, which the latter eagerly
broke open and read. AS he read, his face
clouded. 1t was II long letter, and couched
in vague terms, but its substance was this ::
That whereas the peace of England and of
King Johns possessions in France were
constantly being disturbed by the partisans
of the young Prince Arthur, desiring to
see him king instead of his uncle, and
taking up arms to enforce their claim. 1T
was necessary, in order to put m end to
this rebellion, that the young prince should
be rendered unfit for governing; and as
no people would be likely to choose u
blind boy for their king, Hubert de Burgh
was instructed to have Arthur's eyes put
out; and the two men who had arrived
with the kings messenger were come, so
the letter said. TO carry out this design.
Hubert dc Burgh said nothing as he put
by the letter, and dismissed his three
visitors from his presence. Cruel man as
he had been, his heart had still some pity
left and he shrank from obeying his mas
ter by SO brutal an act of cruelty upon the
innocent boy in his charge.
However, the order of the king was
peremptory; and if the deed must be done,
thought he, the sooner the better.
So he ordered the two Williams to get
ready their instruments, and follow him
to the dungeon.
"Stay here" said he, as they reached
the young princes door, "while enter
and prepare him for his fate.'
SO those two set down their fire and the
red hot irons, and waited outside for their
summons.
When Hubert entered the dungeon, the
poor boy was just waking from a sleep.
lie sat up and rubbed his eyes, beind daz-
zed by the light which Hubert carried in
his hand.
"You are welcome said he (for Arthur
with so few to love him, loved his surly,
though not unkind, jailer). Il have been
in my dreams away in merry England,
where thought was living in beaut-
full palace, with food and servants, and
rich clothing, and that there was crown
on my head. And so it shall be some day,
Hubert, when l get my rights; and then
because you have not been rs unkind to
me as some in my adversely, you shall be
a great and rich man. But why look you
so solemnP What ails youP"
The warden stood silent for some mo.
ments before he spoke, and then his voice
WAS thick and hoarse.
Prince" he said, "take your last look
on the light, for you may never see it
agian."
The boy sprang from his bed, md seized
Hubert by the knees.
What Are they going to kill mep Must
they take away my lifeP"
Not so," said Hubert; 'it is not thy
life that is required, but thine eyes" And
as he spoke he stamped ON the floor as
the signal to those two who waited with
out to enter.
At sight Of their horrid instruments, the
cords which were to bind him and the
cruel faces of the executioners, Arthur fell
on his knees, and implored mercy of the
stubborn Hubert.
1t was Il strange and pitiful sight to see
that weak and helpless boy kneeling, and
with tears entreating that stout old war
rior, whose bosom heaved and whose
fingers twitched, and whose face WINGED,
as he listened while the two others stood
motioness, grasping theis irons and cords,
ready for the word of command to step
forward and do their cruel deed.
But the cries and entreaties of the help
less and beautiful prince prevailed. HUI
bert wavered and hesitated; he bade the
men advance, and then bade them with.
hold; he looked at the prince and he
looked at the glowing irons; he pushed
the suppliant from him, and then suffered
him to cling to him. The executioners
were moved to pity and laid down their
instruments. Flnally,with mighty effort
the warden yielded and said, "Retire, men
and take with you your tools, until l
require you" Then turning to Arthur he
said, prince, thou shalt keep thy sight
and thy life while | am by to protect
thee" And the rough hand of the old
warrior stroked the hair of the weeping
boy as it might have been his own sons
The answer that Hubert de Burgh sent
back that day by the kings messenger was
IN earnest appeal for mercy or behalf OF
his young and now beloved charge. BuI
King John was stranger to all feelings
of pity, and his vengeance was quick ant
dreadful. Foiled of his cruel design upor
the eyesight of his hapless nephew, he
determined now to have his life. So he
ordered him to be removed from Falaise
and the custody of the humane De Burgh
to the castle of Rouen, under whose walls
flowed the waters of the River Seine. Bu
the prince did not remain long there. One
night jailer entered his dungeon, and
waking him from his sleep, ordered him
to follow him. The boy obeyed in silence ~
the taller conducted him down the winding
staircase which led to the foot of th,
tower, beside which the Seine flowed. A
boat was waiting at the bottom, in whicl
sat two men. The torch of the iailer cas-
a sudden glare over the dark waters. ant
by its sight Arthur recognized with horro
and despair, in one of the two the crue
features of his Uncle John. 1t was useles
for him to pray and entreat; it was useles
for him to struggle or cry out. The
dragged him into the boat, and held hin
fast us she drifted under the shadow G
t those gloomy walls into mid stream
What happened then no one can tell; Blu
had any listened that still dark night, the
, might have heard Il boys wild cry acros
the waters, and then a dull heavy splash
and that was all.
, The story Is, that Of those two, Kin;
John with his own hand did the foul deed
However that may be, Arthur of Britain
, was never heard of more.-BoyS on
Paper
DR.. Newhall, the former president G
) Delaware College, and personal frien
, of Bishop Haven, was very sick. Th
disease filled the poor mans mind wit
.,n e 1,