The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1880-09-09
A WASTED LIFE.

LII WAS JtlSC a1Cef Cuo conquest OF br1C-
ain by William the Conqueror, when one
morning strange sight was to be seen
upon the Thames at the point where
now stand the Houses of Parliament.
A vast crowd was congregating on the
northern bank-so vast that the Norman
Guards on sentry on the spot where now
stands Westminster Hall became doubt
full of what was happening, and gave the
alarm.
A company of Normans was at once
marched to the palace.
They were but few men, yet quite Ca
pable of contending with O. larger crowd
Of the Londoners, for the latter had
been deprived of all arms, and had been
forbidden, under pain Of death. to as
semble in numbers.
The Captain of the guard saw, how
ever that the greater portion Of the
crowd was composed of women and
children, and at once was treasured.
"What is the cause of the crowding ?"
he asked of loud tongued woman, who
was haranguing those standing about
her.
eft is Albra, the wife of Vindor, who
2 wishes to prove that she is an honest
woman"
Chow 500"
"By the test Of the shield"
The Captain turned to his men.
"Disband," he said, "and 20 among
the people. At the least sign Of rising
come to me with the news. Again. II
ye hear the Castle bell, at once fall back
and join me in the courtyard. Me-
thinks the excitement has little to do
with us or the King"
Near the water stood man and woman,
both OF whom were young-the man
handsome, the woman very beautiful.
Between them they carried shield
upon which was stretched an infant,
whose age could not have been many
days.
The man was evidently troubled and
gloomy, while the woman, though pale,
was perfectly calm.
Where they stood, the river ran at q
rapid pace.
Around them the people stood eager
end excited, for they knew what was
about to happen.
"Who is hep" asked one.
"He is Vindor," was the reply "and
once master of the men-at-arms to the
Thane Of Buckingham. Now he is SER
yant to his old master, who lives here in
London. All he possesses of his old
arms is the shield upon which the child
ies." ~.
"Whose child is it ?" .'- vs.
SAY, there is the point upon which
Vindor is doubtful !" -.
elbow SOP" ,-. -...s. ...
"You see that he is fair, like most
Saxons while his wife is fairer still.
NJ No Ill -: L..
strange cot, and you will remark that
dark" 10 --a.#l
''Thats SOL -s-.s T.. as.. .
"Vindor, troubled in his mind by a
suggestion of an old friend, doubts his
wife, has told her so, and she is appeal
Ing to the old gods of Anglo-Saxonia to
prove her innocence. But mark, they
are speakingI'
Thereupon Vindor, growing still
gloomier, approached his wife, and said
to her, "Behold, the moment has ar
siZ sA7bo,, wilt n,v. T. 50 >. .s..a .,,r.
els it still thy wish?"
EYES," replied the gloomy man.
Let the old gods of the land decide
whether or not this child is mine.''
"Then let it be as thou wilt" said
A!bra, "and the shame and disgrace be
with you"
The husband took the shield upon
which lay the child-now doing.
Vmdor walked into the sWift-fowing
river, and up to his waist, raised the
child and shield over his head for mo-
ment, turned once again toward his wife,
as though menacing her with the deed
he was about to commit.