The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1881-05-05
THE CHILDREN OF EDWARDS.


hangings, slowly descended the course OF
the Thames. After having passed amid
the acclamations of the people crowded on
the banks of the river, the distance OF
Westminster and the Tower of London, the
Yacht stopped near that state prison; and
whose station one would divine from the
splendor of their habits, and the respect
which surrounded them, landed, and as
cended the steps which led to the entrance
pf the Tower.
Equal in rank, the noble personages
Tered in their appearance perfect con-
trast; and no one, to see them, would have
suspected that they were Of the same race,
and that the same blood coursed through
their veins. The oldest had seen about
thirty five years; magnificent vestments
poorly concealed the defornities of his un-
graceful form; his physiognomy possessed
ut first sight the appearance of loyalty and
freedom, but if one examined attentivel.
his fixed features. his dull and uncertain
air, his thin lips strangely pressed together;
manifested Discrimination and cruelty; and
the smile which at times animated his
countenance, showed but a passing benev
olence.
On the contrary, the younger of the two,
who was still child, displayed in all his
actions his goodness Of heart; his easy car
riage was full Of rare elegance; the flow
ing locks of his light hair covered his
shoulders, and at sight of him one felt at
uacted toward him by the strongest sympa-
thies; one loved at once his youth and his
beauty, where shone with a pure Joy the
noble qualities of the heart. At their ap-
proach the doors of the Tower opened, the
archers who filed the ante-room ranged
themselves with respect, and the governor,
after having humbly saluted them, guided
them through numerous and dark passages.
They crossed many courts, assembled to one
Of the higher stories, and finally passed in
to q vast saloon, where large and heavy
bars of iron, and thick doors, tokens of cap
dvity, were hidden under the luxury of
decoration. When they entered youth
of about twelve years, who, sitting near a
high arched window, viewed with melan
chOly air the waters of the Thames, in
which the sun traced dancing ornaments Of
gold arose precipitately, and, advancing
toward the two noble visitors, pressed the
younger in his arms, exclaiming:
Richard! dear Richard! my dear, dear
brother, again see you. then"
During some moments their signs and
tears alone expressed their emotion. Final
" oonquering his grief; the young prisoner
turned himself toward the only witness of
this scene and said to him. with calm
dignity superior to his age:
but however consoling may be his presence
if he should become like myself captive
in the Tower should regret having again
seen him.
"You prisoner!" said he who was ad-
dressed, with an air of hypocritical mild
ness; "dear nephew, can you harbor those
unworthy suspicious, and ought the King
of England to doubt that I have no other
rule of conduct than the promotion of his
INTEREST,""
These were the last words that Richard
of Gloucester addressed to his nephews.
Edward V. King of England, already con-
fined month in the Tower, and Richard
Duke of York, whom he had just carried
of from the widow of Edward w, in order
to remain sole master of the lives of the
legitimate heirs of the English crc wn. In
going cut, Gloucester threw on the children
subtle and malignant glance; and, finding
in the ante chamber of the apartment thu
governor, Blakenbury.
'Forget not to execute faithfully all the
commands you may receive from me, "
said he, land will not be ungrateful. "
On the bank of the Thames, Richard,
Lord Protector of England, filled with a
10Y he in vain endeavored to conceal, at the
easy success of his designs. stepped into
the royal yacht which attended him and re-
paired to the parliament.
AS soon as they were alone the two broth
ers, Edward and Richard. again embraced.
More tran month had they been separat-
cd, and their tenderness could only be
Eol lxy& 11xy
they questioned each other, and, whatever
mil ht still be the inexperience of Edward,
he could not doubt the fatal future which
awaited them. To the joyous repartees of
the hoping Richard, he sadly replied:
cit would be much better to prepare fol-
death, for think that but short time re-
mains for us on earth"
In fact, for what could they hope? At the
death of their father, Edward Nv, the Duke
of Gloucester had, at first, expressed fol
his royal nephew a sincere affection and
devotion. He had himself conducted him
to London; and bareheaded by his side
out of respect to the superior rank of his
nephew, had shown him to the citizens
who received him with enthusiastic accla.
nations. At the same time, however, hi
separated the prince from the most faithful
servants, whom he caused to be arrested
and put to death; he had removed him from
his mother, and for month the prince hai
been retained in the Tower of London
where no one was allowed to approach him
Now, Richard was equally in Gloucester
power. Audacity sufficed to put him il
possession of a crown which he had covet.
ed SO long and so earnestly; it was known
that he shrunk from no obstacle, that h
was by no means one Of those "who let
dare not wait upon would: " In the mean
time Richard recalled to his brother tn,
caresses of his uncle. the respect which h
had shown them, the protection Of thei
mother, who weuld not abandon them, ant
who would never have confded them t.
Gloucester had she doubted his loyalty; ant
at this remembrance their hearts wer'
moved -.;-.,: