The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-01-20
Robin Hoods Miracle.

Fair, fair was the forest Of Sherwood il
the days Of Robin Hood; long were tn,
summers that garmcnted the forests will
green, and bright were the uutumns tina
Drowned the thickcts and coverts from
which tho merry hunters, clad in Lincoln
green, started the deer. The silver horns
OF Robin Hoods merry men divided III tn,
morning, and their notes were lost IN tht
great, deep forests, but they blended again
at evening, echoing ut first from altar anl
then drawing near.
Then merry were the tales of the hunter.
as the red moon rose in the husky shadows
aud poured her light over tho forests like d
silver sea.
Robin Hood performed a most wonder.
tul miracle in his dag.
Perhaps, though, you may not think
| 1t so wonderful after all.
We will tell it to you as very old bal
lad told ii to us.
One day Robin, being III merry mood,
took 1t into his head to 90 into tho kings
highway in the disguise Of friar. ue
put on hood, gown, crucihx and beads, and
walked OF slowly, looking very deinure
and woc-begonc.
lie had not gone far, when he met two
lutsy priests, clad all in black, and riding
gallantly along.
"Benedicitc" he sand. "ilave pity on
poor friar, who has been wandering
since morning, without meat or drink"
"In the name Of the Virgin" said one of
the priests, "we cannot help thee. We've
been robbed, and haven't penny to help
ourselves"
Robin laid hold of the priests robes and
,trntu II,
80 stout man that the priest could not re-
sist, and when he commanded the other
priest to dismount, he dared not disobey
him.
"You say you have no money" said
Robin. "Neither have l."
''Y0u know how TO pray2" SAID Robin.
eyes" SAID the priests.
''Ihen lot US all fall on onr knees, we
tkree together, and for money we will BEE
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 dole
full than ever. But Robin said
''Prayl Prayl'
They prayed u very long time.
''Now put your hands into your pockets.
and see If you have received an answer 10
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 Que and
drew forth. a purse heavy with GOLD
"WhaL IN answer to prayers" said lob
III, and he searched the other and found
another purse.
The two priests were struck dumb
what could they say2 If they had spoken
truly at first, here indeed was mracle!
The Old ballad says That they "sighcd won.
drons heavy"
''You have prayed well" said Robin,
encouragingly, seeing their detected looks.
''Here arc 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 for himself. But the two
priests did not seem very much pleased
with Robins division and 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 Il sort Of suspicion that if they had
spoken the truth about their money to the
bold outlaw, as good priests ought, the
miracle would not have been so great.